The Devolution APPG has produced a landmark report into the Levelling Up White Paper, having heard evidence from local government leaders, academics and businesses.
The report found that the white paper, though bold in its ambition, does not go far enough to empower local leaders and communities to make choices that are best for them and for the health and wellbeing of local people.
It has produced a set of recommendations which would give more power to local communities and leaders, including reviewing the requirement to have a directly elected mayor as the head of a combined authority. The Group also proposes reforms to allow greater knowledge-sharing between areas, and more of a focus on improving public health outcomes.
Chair of the APPG, Andrew Lewer MBE MP said: “Rarely in this nation’s modern history has politics been so febrile and therefore a clear direction of travel in key areas of national life been so hard to fully understand. The effects this instability has over whole areas of public policy with the potential to be impacted by the Levelling Up White Paper are profound.
“Some guidance from a respected source as to how to proceed should therefore be even more welcome than usual.
“The appetite for new devolution deals is very clear, and we know from our evidence that where they are right, they can be transformative. The Government must, however, listen more to local communities about what they want and what works for them.
“For levelling up to truly succeed, it must be locally led and draw on the deep well of skills and experience in our existing local government structures.”
Cllr Kevin Bentley, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s People and Places Board said the report acknowledges that there is an urgent need to turbo charge the speed at which we are devolving powers to local areas.
“Now the new Prime Minister is taking office, it is vital that the Government recommits to its plans to empower our communities and roll out devolution across England as quickly as possible,” he continued.
“This includes continuing to provide areas with more powers to deliver improved transport systems, create local employment opportunities and attract economic investment in their communities.
“Turning levelling up from a political slogan to a reality will only be achieved if councils have the powers and funding they need to address regional inequality, tackle concentrations of deprivation and make towns and communities across England attractive places to live, work and visit.”
