The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published The Devolution White Paper (the White Paper) today.  The White Paper was officially launched by the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in a speech to an audience of regional mayors, local government and business leaders.  

Government aspirations are that “the Devolution Revolution” set out in the White Paper will unleash power from Whitehall back into local communities that know their areas best. It is of the view is that Mayors will be equipped to drive growth and improve living standards as part of the government’s “Plan for Change”, and that “greater devolution is a key way to kick start economic growth, put money in people’s pockets and put politics back in the service of working people”. The Government expect these proposals to put England’s regions centre stage and deliver on its mission to build 1.5 million homes and boost opportunity across the country. 

The specific proposals, mechanisms and timing for delivery as set out in the White Paper are of great interest. Some of the key proposals it envisages are: 

• Universal coverage in England of Strategic Authorities;  

• Far reaching powers for Mayoral Strategic Authorities; 

• Creation of a framework in legislation setting out powers to go with each authority;  

• Devolution by default to end the deals-based approach;  

• More powers to Mayors to drive growth and for the public to hold them to account;  

• Unprecedented powers and budgets for Mayors;  

• An Integrated Settlement to enable Strategic Authorities to move funding between policy areas;  

• Transport/Skills and employment support/Housing and planning– greater powers to be given to Mayors;  

• Mayoral powers to support the delivery of the 1.5 million homes committed to in this Parliament, including a Mayoral Levy (related to infrastructure delivery); 

• Reforms relating to the joining up of public services, including Mayoral PCC and Fire and Rescue Functions; and 

• Local Government reorganisation for two-tier areas and for some unitary councils.   

How Capsticks can help 

Our expert Local Government team at Capsticks, will be reviewing The Devolution White Paper this week and we will provide further  analysis in the coming days.  

In the meantime, please contact Tiffany Cloynes or Rebecca Gilbert with any enquiries you may have relating to the launch of the White Paper, devolution generally or any other local government matters.