Devolution

Since Angela Rayner’s announcement in December and the accompanying White Paper Council’s throughout England are working out what this means for them. It seems as if ‘devolution’ is a new thing, but it is helpful to remind ourselves that this is not the case. As far back as the 1920s a devolved government was created for Northern Ireland, but it was not until the New Labour era led by Tony Blair that the pace quickened with devolution deals for Scotland and Wales and the advent of mayoral authorities in England.

The Labour government’s policy is to now more deeply embed devolution as a form of government throughout England and Councils are being invited to apply, some on a fast-track system.

Whilst the strategy for the policy is apparent, the details are not. Each devolution deal might end up different with some Mayors having different powers to others. It is likely that the eventual outcomes could have a significant effect on the area’s place management organisations such as BIDs, town centre management schemes and LVEPs. Watch this space.