Combined authority | LocalGov

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.

Hampshire CC opposition makes Solent combined authority deal ‘unlikely’

27/01/2017

Opposition from Hampshire County Council has made it ‘highly unlikely’ the Solent combined authority deal will proceed, council leader claims.

Hughes is new Urban Transport Group chair as Tees Valley joins

25/01/2017

The new chair of the Urban Transport Group has welcomed the Tees Valley Combined Authority as a new associate member and is looking to expand the group further.

Stockport chief to head up Manchester's 'super' council

23/01/2017

The chief executive of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council has been confirmed as the first chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Isle of Wight approves combined authority

25/10/2016

Plans for a Solent Combined Authority have been approved by Isle of Wight Council, following a U-turn on local support.

Council approves combined authority plans

13/10/2016

Portsmouth City Council has agreed to be a part of the formal application to form the Solent Combined Authority.

Public back plans for a Solent Combined Authority

06/10/2016

The public have given their support for plans to form a combined authority covering the Solent area.

North Lincolnshire Council set to join combined authority

29/09/2016

North Lincolnshire Council is set to accept a metro mayor by signing up to a Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority (GLCA).

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