Two-tier council areas will be forced to reorganise if they don’t come up with their own plans under proposals set out in the Government’s English Devolution White Paper.
The white paper, published just before Christmas, proposes a new structure in which unitary councils combine to form mayoral ‘strategic’ authorities in areas that don’t yet have them.
However, LGA Chair Cllr Louise Gittins warned that devolution “is not an end in itself and cannot distract from the severe funding pressures that are pushing local services to the brink”.
She added: “We want every council in England to be able to secure devolution that works for them, their local economies, and their residents.
“While different areas will have strong views on what that should look like, genuine devolution of powers and resources can play a huge role in promoting inclusive economic growth, creating jobs, and improving public services.
“In a very centralised country, moving funding and power from Whitehall to local leaders is needed, but it must be done in a way where empowered councils and the communities they serve are at the heart of decision-making.
“While our members are – and always have been – open to change, we remain clear that local government reorganisation should be a matter for councils and local areas to decide.”
The LGA is engaging proactively with its member councils as it looks to respond fully to the white paper and will be closely monitoring the forthcoming English Devolution Bill.
- See ‘Pathways to devolution’ for more on how the LGA is responding to the English Devolution White Paper and its support for member councils.