Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016
The Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill 2015–16 is a United Kingdom government bill designed to introduce directly-elected mayors to combined local authorities in England and to devolve housing, transport, planning and policing powers to them.[1][2] The bill was introduced to the House of Lords by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 28 May 2015.[3]
Provisions
The main provisions of the bill are:[4]
- To allow for the devolution of powers from the UK government to some of England's towns, cities and counties.
- To allow for the introduction of directly-elected mayors to combined authorities.
- To allow directly-elected mayors to replace Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in these areas.
- To remove the current statutory limitation on the functions of these local authorities. (Previously they have been limited to economic development, regeneration, and transport.)
- To enable local authority governance to be streamlined as agreed by councils.
The provisions in the bill are generic (applied by government order to specified combined authorities and their areas). It is expected to apply primarily to England's largest city-regions (the Core Cities Group). However there could be instances where the devolution of powers could be agreed to “a single county” or other local government area where a combined authority is not in place, provided all the councils in that area are in agreement. Additionally local government reorganisation may be facilitated by the bill if local authorities in an area are willing and the proposal is agreed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.[5]
Criticism
There is reportedly widespread scepticism among existing local government leaders about the creation of the proposed directly-elected mayors. However, most areas in England are not expected to have such mayors, meaning the majority of PCCs will remain.[2] This has prompted senior figures in county and district councils to raise concerns about a “two-speed” approach to devolution and the Local Government Association to call for devolution to all corners of England.[5] Sir Peter Soulsby, the city of Leicester's elected mayor, has said that it is important for rural areas not to be overlooked.[2]
References
- ^ "Bringing our country together: cities, towns and counties to get stronger powers" (Press release). http://www.gov.uk. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
{{cite press release}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ a b c Arif Ansari (27 May 2015). "Queen's Speech 2015: 'Metro mayors' able to replace PCCs". BBC News. England. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill 2015-16". http://www.parliament.uk. UK Parliament. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ "Queen's Speech 2015: Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill". http://www.gov.uk. Cabinet Office and Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
The purpose of the Bill is to fulfil the government's commitments on devolving powers and budgets to boost local growth in England.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ a b Paine, David (29 May 2015). "'Permissive' devolution bill leaves door open for county deals". Local Government Chronicle. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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