Martin Ford 09 March 2021

Tear down devolution 'barriers,' APPG urges

Tear down devolution barriers, APPG urges image

Powers should be devolved to councils before reorganisation takes place, a new report has concluded.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Devolution argued it was now ‘extremely urgent’ to devolve responsibility for local economic growth and arrangements such as forming combined authorities ‘must not be a compulsory precursor to councils taking on new powers’.

Its report published today recommended the creation of a ‘national devolution baseline’ for England, with a list of new powers available to every council.

Priorities for new powers should be around tax-setting, employment and skills, and healthcare commissioning.

The report was critical of Whitehall acting as a ‘barrier’ and argued devolution should be a ‘default position’.

It said that to level up regions it was necessary to ‘turbo charge the powers of local areas’.

The report called for a ‘devolution taskforce’ to be established to enable discussion between national and local government on progress.

It also suggested the creation of ‘local Public Accounts Committees’ or ‘regional select committees’ under which local leaders could ‘hold government departments accountable'.

Local Government Association chairman, Cllr James Jamieson, said the report showed devolution must go ‘further and faster’.

He added: ‘Parliamentarians should now unite to ensure the Government’s upcoming devolution and recovery White Paper brings forward at pace a new devolution settlement for England, led by councils and their local communities.’

Speaking ahead of the report’s publication, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham suggested his stand-off with Downing Street over COVID-19 restrictions may affect the White Paper.

He said: ‘I’m becoming less optimistic about it.

'Just because I stood up to the Government for Greater Manchester last year, it would be very disappointing if Whitehall thought we are not having people doing that, therefore we are pulling back on devolution.’

The Government has been approached for comment.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Data, Monitoring and Citizen Science Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 10 £37,035 to £40,476 p.a. (Pay Award Pending)
We are looking for an organised and reliable individual to join our team here at the North Pennines National Landscape in Stanhope for a period of 15 Stanhope
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Enhanced Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Enhanced Teaching Assistant Grade 5, £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata 37 hours per week, Term Time only + 2 weeks Permanent     Required from 1st September Ferryhill
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Structures Commissioner

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Rough Sleeper Outreach Officer - WMF2139e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£31,067 - £31,586
We have an excellent opportunity for a motivated candidate to apply for the role of Rough Sleeper Outreach Officer. Penrith, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Customer Operations Assistant

Wyre Borough Council
£12.26 Per Hour
Marine Hall is a vibrant and dynamic venue dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences for our audiences and customers. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council
Linkedin Banner