Government to accept expressions of interest for foundation strategic authorities: CCN responds
Today the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced it will accept expressions of interest for foundation strategic authorities for areas that do not have devolution.
Below, the County Councils Network responds to the announcement.
Cllr Anne Handley, Devolution Spokesperson for the County Councils Network, said:
“Today’s announcement that ministers will now accept expressions of interests to establish foundation strategic authorities in areas without a devolution deal re-affirms the government’s commitment to devolution and offers those areas the prospect of some new powers, alongside devolved skills and employment funding.
“But the fact remains that this is a watered-down commitment compared to the aspiration in the Devolution White Paper for mayoral devolution to be in place in every area – and as soon as possible. It also comes off the back of a delay to mayoral elections in the six Devolution Priority Programme areas.
“There are many County Councils Network (CCN) members, particularly its unitary councils, who are ready to move to mayoral combined authorities as soon as this year. The government needs to clearly set out the timescales for doing so, whilst expanding the powers available to foundation strategic authorities through the devolution framework.
“There is a risk of a two-speed approach to devolution in county areas compared to urban cities which could limit our members’ strong ambitions to grow their economies and deliver for residents at a time when the country desperately needs productivity gains.
“More generally, delivering the level of economic growth that the government aspires towards can only be achieved if strong unitary councils are in place as a foundation for these new strategic authorities. County councils have put forward credible proposals to create viable unitary authorities that are deliverable in tandem with devolution to boost local growth. When the government makes final decisions on reorganisation in specific areas, it should account for these factors."
