Devolution without the decentralisation of decision-making powers risks marginalising traditional local government to the point of an existential threat, according to a new essay from the think tank Localis.

In ‘Shock treatment: will English local government blow a fuse in a Rewired State?’, emeritus professors Colin Copus and Steve Leach argue that Prime Minister Andy Burnham's ‘Rewiring the State’ agenda gives councils far less prominence than strategic authorities and directly elected mayors.

They warn that linking devolution to the paused local government reorganisation process will probably still force through mergers into large unitary bodies, without compelling evidence that bigger councils deliver better outcomes or savings.

The authors also say the plans lack true fiscal devolution, use economic growth as a centralist instrument, and give councils no constitutional protection, unlike systems such as Germany's Basic Law.

Report author and Localis visiting fellow, Professor Colin Copus, said: 'The government's rewiring of the state will cause a nasty shock for many in local government, as it creates a new form of centralism - one where mayors and strategic authorities share with Westminster and Whitehall control over local government.

‘If local government reorganisation goes ahead, we could eventually lose 85% of English councils and around 90%’ of councillors.

‘We are faced with a reduction in opportunities for people to get involved in holding local elected office; a weakening of local accountability; and a shocking hollowing out of local democracy - ironically, all in the name of devolution.’

‘The prime minister, who has expressed enthusiasm with the German Basic Law, needs to ask why Germany operates, within that law, with almost 11,000 municipalities in a two-tier system,’ he added.

‘That stands in stark contrast to his comments to the BBC that he wants to see “a structure of local government which is the same across the land.” Certainly not something he would find in Germany.’