Councils across England have welcomed the promise of greater fiscal freedoms from David Cameron, but warn Whitehall should not impose a ‘one size fits all’ approach to devolution.
Cornwall Council said it is already preparing its case to be given greater powers to raise revenue and make its own spending decisions in the wake of the ‘no’ vote.
However, council leader John Pollard said: ‘We don’t want to see the “cities” system imposed on Cornwall – this is not a case of a single devolution model fits all. We know that Cornwall is unique and we need to ensure that we work with the Government to create a model which is right for us.’
Leeds City Council also joined calls for the Government to embrace a ‘true commitment’ to decentralisation, saying local control over spending and investment would help deliver economic growth and stronger communities.
Council leader, Cllr Keith Wakefield said: ‘As we referred to in the Commission on the Future of Local Government document, there is no longer a one size fits all approach to be taken in the UK. Devolved powers to Scotland and Wales have already created very different environments for local government, and this needs to be built on across the whole country.
‘Councils are becoming increasingly innovative and effective in the way they deliver services and are closer to the communities they serve, and therefore better placed to deliver locally.’
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority also said the referendum process had highlighting the need for greater devolution for city regions.
Chair of the authority, Lord Peter Smith, said the region – which has a bigger economy than Wales or Northern Ireland – could clearly demonstrate the benefits of greater freedoms.
However, he warned that achieving economic growth and reforming public services was only possible if freedom was given ‘based on the area's needs’.
