LGA reveal alternative proposals to Cities Devolution Bill

The report, which follows the LGA’s recent warnings to government that devolution must reach all corners of England, draws together the views from across the Association's 372 member councils. Whilst it acknowledges the proposed Cities Devolution Bill, expected in the forthcoming Queen’s Speech, the report also claims that devolving only limited powers to regions will not be substantial enough.

While the Cities Devolution Bill offers cities with an elected mayor new powers, the LGA propose an English Devolution Bill which allows people to choose an appropriate system of governance. The white paper encourages this view by arguing that is more radical reform is pursued, public sector savings could reach £20.6 billion, as well as over £80 billion in economic growth and 700,000 new jobs.

The paper also reports that the other benefits that radical reform could bring include the building of 500,000 more homes by incentivising and reforming house building programmes and catering for some of the 1.7 million households currently waiting for an affordable home, and providing every child with a place at a good local-school, halving the number of jobless young people and investing in training and education to close the gap on a skills shortfall set to cost up to 25 per cent of growth, by 2022.

Cllr David Sparks, Chair of the LGA, said: "Local councils recognise the need for change and are proposing a new partnership with the government to strengthen our country from the ground up and establish an equitable settlement for England.

"The evidence is overwhelming and devolution within England is the most effective way to create jobs, build homes, strengthen healthy communities and protect the vulnerable in all parts of the country.

"Now is the time for bold solutions to help revive local democracy, strengthen our nation and deliver better and more efficient services over the course of this next parliament and for the parliaments to come. If we are to rebalance our economy ultimately all places, from our great cities to the powerful engines of our economy in non-metropolitan areas, need greater freedom from Whitehall."

Read the full paper