Rayner: Backing for new deals is ‘first step of devolution revolution’

Four new devolution deals in England have been supported by the Government as ministers seek to shift more decision-making powers away from Westminster.

The proposals include electing regional mayors for Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire in May 2025, with the new leaders having control over transport, housing, skills and investment in their areas.

Combined county authorities would also be established for both Devon and Torbay and Lancashire in early 2025, and they would be given responsibility for adult education.

The agreements are subject to parliamentary approval and local consent, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government added.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “This is only the first step of our major ambition to drive forward our devolution revolution, and ensure we empower more communities and strengthen the existing powers of our brilliant mayors.”

The County Councils Network (CCN), which describes itself as the “national voice for the county and largest unitary authorities in England”, welcomed the announcement.

Tim Oliver, who chairs the CCN, said: “The County Councils Network strongly welcomes today’s announcement that the Government will continue to progress mayoral and non-mayoral devolution deals with its members in Devon, Lincolnshire, East Riding, and Lancashire.

“Crucially, those agreements which cover two-tier areas will continue to use the combined county authority (CCA) model. These new arrangements will add impetus to the major role CCN authorities have to play in supporting ministers’ central mission of driving economic growth.”

The Government said it is “minded” to progress with four non-mayoral deals with Cornwall Council, Buckinghamshire Council, Warwickshire County Council, and Surrey County Council, subject to further statutory tests being met.

But it said it would not proceed with mayoral deals with Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council agreed by the previous Conservative government, and further talks would be held on devolution in the two counties.

Mr Oliver, who is also a councillor and the Conservative leader of Surrey County Council, said: “While it is welcome these deals will progress, it is disappointing that previous agreements in Norfolk and Suffolk will not.

“CCN acknowledges that the Government’s preferred option is for a mayoral combined authority with mayors covering larger geographical areas than just a single county footprint.

“But it is clear that a directly-elected mayor is not the right form of governance for some CCN members at this time and we should avoid revisiting previously agreed geographies at a time when all areas need to be driving economic growth, and rapidly.

“It is critical that the Government now continues to work positively with CCN and its members to ensure that within the forthcoming devolution framework, and English Devolution Bill, the CCA model becomes the default arrangement in non-metropolitan areas, while confirming all future deals cover whole county geographies.

“Moreover, non-mayoral deals should be progressed at the same pace as mayoral arrangements if the Government wants to realise its ambitions to both widen and deepen devolution in England.”

The English Devolution Bill was contained in the new Government’s first King’s Speech.

It will aim to give local leaders greater powers over local growth by legislating a standardised devolution framework, which would allow local leaders to formally request additional powers.