Council leaders have called on the Government to reignite its ‘stalled’ devolution plans.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has expressed concerns that no new devolution deals have been announced since March 2016, even though many areas are still keen.
The LGA warned that the country’s impending exit from the European Union made devolution even more important.
Council leaders are weary of powers being transferred to London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast, with local authorities being sidelined, when Brexit happens.
The LGA insisted that Brexit should result in new powers for councils.
Chairman of the LGA’s people and places board, Mark Hawthorne, said: ‘There are concerns that devolution discussions have stalled and opportunities are being missed.
‘To reignite the devolution process, the Government needs to engage in a debate about appropriate governance arrangements with local areas.’
Chief executive of local government think-tank Localis, Liam Booth-Smith, added: 'Given the economic urgency of Brexit, all parts of England - from major cities to small towns - deserve new powers to revive moribund local economies and with it the opportunity to help themselves.'
