Prime Minister urged to include voice of England’s counties in meeting with metro-mayors next week

Earlier today, the new Prime Minister announced that next Tuesday he will host a meeting with metro-mayors in England to discuss regional economic development. This was part his commitment to drive growth in all four corners of the nation and devolve powers outside of Whitehall.

Responding to the announcement, the County Councils Network (CCN), which represents 37 county and large unitary authorities, says that with less than half of England’s population covered by a metro-mayor, a failure to involve county authorities in these discussions would be a ‘missed opportunity’, leaving large parts of the country – particularly rural areas – without a voice.

CCN is urging the Prime Minister to ensure counties have a seat at the table, harnessing the expertise and experience of county authorities, who are responsible for attracting and spending billions in economic development, infrastructure and regeneration investment every single year.

Ahead of the election, CCN’s Manifesto for Counties set out that the incoming government should undertake a bold and ambitious programme of devolution in England, ensuring that all areas without a devolution are able to secure one by 2027.

The proposals contained in the manifesto (see here) outlined that securing a devolution should not require an area to adopt the metro-mayor model. While some areas have adopted a combined authority mayor or Elected Leader, many county and rural areas considering this model unsuitable.

Cllr Tim Oliver, Chairman of the County Councils Network, said:

“The County Councils Network (CCN) welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to driving growth in every part of the nation, and in doing so, do more to empower those local leaders that have ‘skin in the game’. It is only by devolving more power to local areas that this government can deliver the growth this country desperately needs.

“Next week’s meeting between metro mayors and the Prime Minister is therefore a positive and early signal of his intent on this agenda. However, we must recognise that less than half of England’s population are served by a metro mayor, with these overwhelmingly concentrated in urban areas. 

“Outside these areas, we have strong county leaders, who are responsible for attracting and spending billions in economic development, infrastructure and regeneration investment every single year.

“A failure to involve county representatives in these critical discussions will leave large parts of England, particularly rural areas, without a voice. If these discussions are on how best to secure long-term growth across the country this would represent a significant missed opportunity, with county areas delivering 39% of England’s economic output and half of all jobs. We therefore urge the government to ensure counties have a seat at the table, harnessing the expertise and experience of county authorities.”