The balance of power in England is shifting. With new devolution deals being agreed, we are seeing more combined authorities emerging and local leaders are taking on greater responsibility for delivering on some of the most complex challenges of our time – from levelling up to achieving net zero.
This transition reflects two simple truths. Firstly, many of the issues we face are inherently place-based. Decarbonising housing, regenerating neighbourhoods, reforming transport – none of these can be solved by Whitehall alone. Second, they require coordination at a scale larger than a single local authority, but with the local legitimacy and responsiveness that only devolved governance can bring.
For the newest combined authorities, there is much to learn from the trailblazers who came before them. Some combined authorities have been operating for more than a decade, including the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and these have shown how devolved powers can be used to deliver meaningful change – from large-scale regeneration schemes to innovative low-carbon programmes.
Equans is partnered with both WMCA and GMCA on multiple projects and we truly believe the point of difference in terms of their success has been an upfront commitment and plan for outcomes. Central Government, and particularly HM Treasury, increasingly expects clear evidence that local programmes deliver measurable outcomes. That means going beyond counting outputs to capturing the full breadth of social, economic, and environmental impact of investments.
A key example of this innovation in practice is the Net Zero Neighbourhoods (NZN) Logic Model, developed by Equans for the WMCA. Recognising the need for a stronger and coordinated evidence base across its Local Net Zero Accelerator (LNZA) program, this model provides a framework to connect local interventions – such as retrofitting homes, installing active travel infrastructure, or creating new green spaces – with outcomes that matter to communities and government alike.
It maps a clear chain from outputs (eg retrofit measures installed) to immediate outcomes (eg warmer homes, reduced emissions, improved wellbeing) to intermediate outcomes (eg lower fuel poverty, better air quality and reduced NHS demand). And finally to impacts at regional and national level, such as carbon reduction and inclusive growth.
It helps those that commission and deliver projects understand how their activities link to broader goals, supporting more comprehensive and outcome based design and investment from the beginning. It also ensures that imbedded into projects is the collection of data to ensure that we are monitoring progress towards those goals.
By standardising indicators across projects, this logic model approach allows combined authorities to present a consistent and credible story of impact across investments and projects. It helps make the case for continued investment by the Treasury, while also ensuring that community-centred design remains at the centre.
The UK's path to net zero depends on bridging the gap between national ambition and local delivery. Combined authorities are the critical link in that chain. They are large enough to coordinate across housing, transport, energy, and skills; yet rooted enough in place to design solutions that reflect the realities of local communities.
The NZN Logic Model illustrates how this can be achieved. It demonstrates that investment in place-based decarbonisation doesn't just cut carbon – it creates healthier homes, greener neighbourhoods, safer streets, and more resilient economies.
At Equans, we are proud to have supported WMCA, GMCA, and others in developing frameworks like the NZN Logic Model. We see this as more than a technical exercise: it is about building the evidence base that will unlock long-term finance and give combined authorities the confidence to scale up their ambitions.
As new combined authorities are established, the opportunity is to learn from the pioneers and adopt proven models that show what works. If they do, the case for devolved power will only strengthen and the rewards will be felt not just locally, but nationally.
The power is shifting. The question now is how quickly we can harness it to deliver the outcomes communities need and Treasury demands.
Chrissy Galerakis is head of social value strategy at Equans UK & Ireland
