Combined authority | LocalGov


Essex CC rejects combined authority plan ‘in its current form’ 10/04/2025 Essex County Council has told the Government that it cannot support the proposal for devolution in Greater Essex ‘in its current form’.
Mayors' integrated settlements published 09/04/2025 Final details of integrated settlements for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have been confirmed for 2025-26.
Governance concerns prompt best value notice for Tees Valley 04/04/2025 The Government has issued Tees Valley Combined Authority with a best value notice due to concerns over governance and culture.
Think tanks calls for doubling of mayoral capacity fund 14/03/2025 A think tank has urged the Government to commit to doubling the mayoral capacity fund to help strengthen capacity and accountability in combined authorities.
Council leaders welcome new combined authority 07/02/2025 Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority has now been formerly established, moving the area closer to unlocking a £400m investment fund.
New Lancashire combined county authority launched 06/02/2025 The new Lancashire combined county authority has officially come into being.
Combined authority plea ahead of Chagossian arrivals 05/02/2025 Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has pleaded for help from other local authorities ahead of the upcoming arrival of hundreds of Chagossians.
Elected mayor 'stumbling block' warning 21/11/2024 Ministers' insistence on a directly-elected mayor is ‘fast appearing on the horizon as a major stumbling block for English devolution', expert warns.
Leaders meet to discuss housebuilding partnerships 06/11/2024 Local authority leaders met in London on Monday with the aim of creating new partnerships to help meet the Government's aim of delivering 1.5 million homes.
Budget: Authorities to get single funding settlements 30/10/2024 The Government has announced the first six authorities eligible to receive single funding settlements.
East Midlands set for first permanent chief executive 28/10/2024 The East Midlands Combined County Authority has announced Amy Harhoff is to be appointed as its first permanent chief executive.
Community environment projects get £300k boost 14/10/2024 Over a dozen locally led community projects in the West Midlands have shared almost £300,000 of funding to help improve the region’s environment.
Mayors can relieve council pressures, says report 09/10/2024 Mayoral combined authorities (MCAs) can help with long-standing policy challenges in public services as well as boosting economic growth, a think-tank has argued.
Further devolution needed to drive energy efficiency measures 25/09/2024 Devolution of funding is needed so that mayoral combined authorities can take the lead in delivering energy efficiency upgrades to homes, a new report says.
Manchester adopts Finnish housing scheme in UK first 12/09/2024 A housing scheme said to have significantly reduced homelessness in Finland is set to become a ‘guiding philosophy’ in Greater Manchester after a successful pilot.
Regional growth initiatives likely to 'fall over next year' without UKSPF clarity 12/09/2024 Regional growth initiatives are likely to ‘fall over next year' unless the Government clarifies the future of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a combined authority chief has warned.
Man United joins regeneration drive 10/09/2024 Manchester United has joined forces with Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to maximise regeneration opportunities.
Councils draining ‘dwindling’ reserves to stay afloat 04/09/2024 Three in five (60%) city leaders have warned they will have to draw on already depleted financial reserves this year to ‘stay financially afloat.’
Cheshire devolution talks gain pace 19/08/2024 A partnership of three Cheshire councils is said to have emerged as an ‘early candidate’ for accelerated talks on devolution with the new Government.
Devolution ‘essential’ to Labour's growth mission 25/07/2024 Devolution reforms will be essential if Labour is to fulfil its mission of nationwide growth, a new report has argued.
King's Speech: Devolution takes centre stage 17/07/2024 The announcement of an English Devolution Bill took centre stage in the King's Speech.
Brabin seeks public's views on tram plans 16/07/2024 The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has launched a public consultation on options for two tram lines in the Leeds-Bradford area.
Labour will need to back up strategic planning 'with teeth' 27/06/2024 Labour’s proposed push for a return to strategic planning will need to be ‘backed up with teeth’, an expert has suggested.
Birmingham councillor becomes West Midlands deputy mayor 17/06/2024 The deputy leader of Birmingham City Council has been appointed as the deputy mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
Call to fix ‘incomplete patchwork’ of devolution deals 13/05/2024 The next government must extend devolution to 85% of England to address an ‘incomplete patchwork of mismatched deals’, a think-tank has argued.
Watchdog should investigate Teesworks freeport, MPs say 26/04/2024 MPs have recommended that the National Audit Office (NAO) should investigate the finances of the controversial Teesworks regeneration project.
Combined authority criticised for ‘inconsistent’ best value approach 05/03/2024 The Government has criticised the West of England Combined Authority for what it describes as ‘inconsistent action’ over flagged value for money concerns.
More areas get level four devolution powers 01/03/2024 West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the Liverpool city region will all receive level four devolved powers, local government secretary Michael Gove has announced.
Teesworks inquiry finds no evidence of ‘corruption’ 30/01/2024 An inquiry into accusations of corruption relating to the Teesworks scheme has found no evidence of ‘illegality’ but ‘transparency’ concerns remain.
Combined authority approves £600,000 for athletics championship 15/01/2024 The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has approved an extra £600,000 to go towards the cost of hosting the 2026 European Athletics Championships (EAC).
Manchester leads list for local government in New Year honours 02/01/2024 The chief executives of both Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have been recognised in the New Year Honours List.
Rotheram threatened over Covid restrictions 27/11/2023 Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram was assigned 24-hour police security after he received threats during the Covid pandemic, he revealed today.
Mayor failed to intervene following bullying 27/11/2023 Details have emerged of a bullying probe at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority that found mayor Nik Johnson breached the organisation’s code of conduct.
Autumn Statement: Lancashire devolution ‘amazing news for county’ 23/11/2023 The Lancashire devolution announcement in the Autumn Statement is ‘amazing news for county’, local authority leaders in the region have said.
West Yorkshire to host £220m investment zone 21/11/2023 A new investment zone has been announced for West Yorkshire focused on life sciences.
'Devolution hopes rest on combined authorities' 24/10/2023 Combined authorities represent the greatest hope for devolution in England, according to a new report based on interviews with 95 former ministers and Whitehall mandarins.
Call for bus franchising powers for councils 22/09/2023 Local authorities need more powers, including to introduce franchising, to end a 'spiral of decline' in bus service delivery, a new report has said.
Bentley insists level two devolution 'best option' for county 21/09/2023 Essex CC’s Conservative leader Kevin Bentley has insisted that a level two devolution deal is the ‘best option’ for the county.
Combined authority approves £10m Leeds housing investment 08/09/2023 Members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have approved proposals to invest more than £10m in delivering over 800 new homes in Leeds.
Warwickshire in talks over WMCA move 04/07/2023 Senior Government ministers are brokering talks between Mayor Andy Street and Warwickshire CC as the county looks at joining the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), The MJ understands.
Plans for South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub unveiled 29/06/2023 South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has announced plans to create 300 apprenticeships in the region through a new Apprenticeship Hub.
North of Tyne Combined Authority agrees £30m investment 14/06/2023 North of Tyne Combined Authority has agreed a £30m investment to 'breathe new life' into a former coal mining town.
Tory MPs block release of Teesside investigation documents 08/06/2023 The Government has blocked the release of documents which would show the decision-making behind an investigation into controversial Teesside redevelopment.
West Midlands Combined Authority signs £2bn warehouse partnership 18/05/2023 The West Midlands Combined Authority has announced a £2bn partnership to create warehouse facilities in the region over the next 10 years.
Combined authority welcomes £100m investment fund 16/05/2023 Whitehall has signed off on a £100m investment fund for the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) before its closure next year.
Mayor launches bus franchising consultation 15/05/2023 Mayor Steve Rotheram has launched a consultation on bus reform in the Liverpool City Region.
Report shows stark variations in levelling up funding 25/04/2023 Competitive bidding has led to a £0.5bn gap in levelling up cash between the best and least funded combined authorities, according to new analysis.
West Midlands CA welcomes unspent Commonwealth Games funding 20/03/2023 Around £70m of unspent Commonwealth Games funding is to be used to develop the West Midlands economy and boost its trade and tourism sectors.
Budget 2023: Hunt to boost mayors' financial autonomy 15/03/2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced the Government will ‘boost mayors’ financial autonomy’ in his Budget.
Chancellor to announce investment zones backed by £80m 14/03/2023 Twelve investment zones, each backed by £80m, will be announced tomorrow as part of the effort to boost local growth and level up left behind areas.
Council digitalisation being held back, report finds 23/02/2023 Councils’ efforts to digitalise are being hindered by a lack of funding and guidance, a new report has found.
WMCA to spend £15m improving ‘sub-standard’ social housing 26/01/2023 The West Midlands Combined Authority is planning to spend £15m improving some of the region’s most dilapidated and unhealthy social housing.
Combined authority invests £9m in local social enterprise 02/12/2022 A social enterprise in the West Midlands is set to greatly increase the number of properties it owns thanks to a £9m investment by the combined authority.
Unleash wave of mayoral devo, says think tank 20/06/2022 A report from the centre right Onward think tank has urged the Government to step back from ‘micromanaging’ England’s cities and counties and unleash a wave of mayoral devolution.
Councils make bid for new East Midlands combined authority 16/06/2022 Four councils have submitted a bid to Government to create a new East Midlands Mayoral Combined Authority.
Combined authority signs £4bn agreement with Legal & General 18/05/2022 WMCA and L&G have today signed a partnership agreement with L&G committing to invest £4bn in regeneration, housing and levelling up across the West Midlands.
Talks held on East Midlands combined authority 17/03/2022 Proposals for an East Midlands combined authority covering Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire could be put forward to the Government as part of county deal negotiations.
Leaders lay out plans for 'just transition' to net-zero 08/11/2021 Council and combined authority leaders have detailed plans for a ‘just transition’ to net-zero as new research revealed nine million people could be hit economically.
Devolution should be the default option, say MPs 01/10/2021 The Government should consider devolving greater powers in housing, health, planning and education, a new report has argued today.
County areas chase devo dream 17/08/2021 County areas are lining up to strike one of the first tranche of devolution deals.
Combined authority first to be awarded RACE quality mark 26/07/2021 The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has become the first organisation in the UK to be awarded the RACE Equality Code.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority sets out plans for mass transit system 28/01/2021 Residents of West Yorkshire have been asked to give their views on plans for a new transport network that aims to connect the region’s communities to jobs, education and opportunities.
Combined authority expansion halted by ‘party politics’ 09/11/2020 The expansion of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has stalled after leaders failed to reach an agreement.
Supporting our young people in the path to economic recovery 03/11/2020 Clare Hatton explains how the West Midlands Combined Authority has made it a priority to support all young people, but especially those not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Combined authority first governmental body to join alliance 13/08/2020 Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced that Liverpool City Region combined authority is the first governmental body in the world to join the wellbeing economy alliance.
Lancashire CC sets out plans for new combined authority 29/07/2020 Lancashire CC has put forward proposals for a new combined authority and an elected mayor for the county.
Combined authority 'spending reserves like it's going out of fashion' 17/06/2020 Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s chief executive has expressed doubts about whether his region would be able to cope with a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Jenrick voices support for East Midlands Combined Authority plans 02/03/2020 District and borough councils in Leicestershire have announced they will be taking forward discussions about creating an East Midlands Combined Authority.
Combined authority re-defines ‘affordable housing’ 04/02/2020 The West Midlands has become the first region to re-define ‘affordable housing’.
Men dominate top table at combined authorities, research warns 04/11/2019 Only one in five with a vote at the top table in combined authorities are women, new research has found.
Queen's Speech 19: Devolution White Paper to set out 'structural reform' 14/10/2019 An English devolution White Paper is planned by the Government, it has been confirmed in the Queen’s Speech.
Rent caps needed to curb housing crisis, report says 04/10/2019 A think tank has called for local leaders to have the power to cap rents in high-cost areas.
Changing Tynes 03/10/2019 Heather Jameson talks to Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor, about the main challenges facing the combined authority, the region’s devolution deal, and putting party politics to one side.
Treasury 'wasting money' in funding of local government 17/09/2019 The Treasury is wasting money in its funding of local government and needs to have a more place-based focus, according to a report from the respected Institute for Government (IfG) think-tank.
Combined authority launches West Yorkshire’s ‘largest’ electric vehicle charging network 05/08/2019 The first of 88 chargepoints will go live this week in what is set to be West Yorkshire’s largest electric vehicle rapid-charging network.
Adult education budget devolved to six combined authorities 01/08/2019 Six mayoral combined authorities and the GLA will be responsible for the adult education budget in their areas from today, the Government has announced.
Plans to hike business rates in the West Midlands dropped 24/07/2019 Businesses in the West Midlands will breath a sigh of relief after an announcement that a planned business rate hike is unlikely to go ahead.
Greater Manchester aims to be carbon-neutral by 2038 14/06/2019 Plans by Greater Manchester to become the UK’s 'leading green and digital city-region' have won backing from the Government in its new Local Industrial Strategy.
Whitehall approves South Yorkshire devolution deal 10/05/2019 The Government has approved the South Yorkshire devolution deal, which will see £900m invested in the region.
Ministry moves on Brexit 24/10/2018 Senior Marsham Street officials have stepped up their preparations for Brexit after complaints from frustrated councils that they were being shut out of the process.
Brokenshire considering new devolution models 10/07/2018 James Brokenshire is considering new models of devolution as he seeks to extend further powers to local areas, the communities secretary has insisted.
Combined authority announces deal to build 40,000 homes 30/01/2018 The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has agreed to work with a coalition of 15 housing associations to deliver up to 40,000 affordable homes.
LEP moves to become 'most transparent' in England 16/01/2018 A local enterprise partnership (LEP) that had funding restrictions slapped on it by the Government has approved transparency measures that go beyond national guidance.
Next stage for North of Tyne devolution deal 13/12/2017 Councils in the North East have launched a public consultation over the next stage of a devolution plan for the area.
Industrial Strategy snubs councils 27/11/2017 Business secretary Greg Clark has snubbed councils and empowered local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) in the Government’s long-awaited Industrial Strategy.
‘Non-mayoral combined authorities’ a possibility, Javid says 21/11/2017 Sajid Javid has raised the possibility of ‘non-mayoral combined authorities’ in rural areas as part of a new devolution framework.
Combined authority bids for £200m government investment 17/10/2017 The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has bid for more than £200m of government investment in its Autumn Budget submission.
Whitehall should use Brexit to ‘drive’ devolution, combined authority mayors insist 06/10/2017 The Government should listen to all parts of the North as Britain leaves the EU, leaders of the northern combined authorities have demanded.
Mayor warns about 'reputational damage' caused by LEP 29/09/2017 The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in Cambridgeshire is causing the area ‘reputational damage’ the combined authority’s mayor has warned.
Combined authorities need ‘meaningful’ fiscal devolution, progress report says 26/09/2017 Whitehall should reopen the conversation about ‘meaningful’ fiscal devolution in order to help places attract sustainable investment, says report on the progress of combined authorities.
Six mayors to pilot innovative new employment schemes 01/08/2017 Thousands of disadvantaged people are to be helped back into work under new pilot schemes being delivered by six combined authorities.
Councillors may have limited control over combined authorities, warn auditors 06/07/2017 There is a risk local councillors will have limited capacity for the overview and scrutiny of combined authorities, auditors have warned.
Oxfordshire districts put forward plans for combined authority 19/06/2017 Three district councils have submitted their plan for a combined authority in Oxfordshire to the Government, in response for calls for a unitary council.
Metro mayors should place digital at ‘the heart’ of their plans 26/04/2017 The new metro mayors should put digital devolution at the ‘heart of their plans’, tech industry campaigners say.
Combined authorities risk being 'preserve of men' finds report 18/04/2017 Nearly all (93%) of senior positions in the new combined authorities will be appointed to white men, new research has revealed.
New Tees Valley mayor granted powers to ‘drive’ economic development 14/03/2017 Tees Valley Combined Authority has become the first authority outside of London to be granted the power to create locally-accountable Mayoral Development Corporations.
Combined authorities the ‘natural leaders’ for driving reform of criminal justice system 22/02/2017 Metro mayors should use newly-devolved criminal justice powers to cut reoffending rates, report urges.
West of England devo deal gets the go-ahead 17/02/2017 Communities minister Andrew Percy has given the go-ahead for the west of England combined authority headed by a directly-elected mayor.
West Yorks leader calls for end to 'devolution deadlock' 15/02/2017 Calls to reignite the Leeds City Region devolution proposals submitted almost 18 months ago have been made by chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Warrington Council approves Cheshire devolution deal 15/02/2017 Warrington Borough Council’s executive board yesterday approved plans for a devolution deal with Cheshire.