The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to devolving more powers to local communities, saying the approach recognises the importance of place-based decision-making.
Speaking after becoming Labour leader on 17th July, and building on the themes of his campaign launch on 29th June, Mr Burnham outlined a 10-year plan aimed at delivering economic growth across every part of the country. His proposals include reforming public utilities, driving industrial renewal and supporting regeneration, while shifting decision-making away from Westminster and Whitehall to local leaders and communities.
Angela Jones, Immediate Past President of ADEPT; Andy Burnham; Hannah Bartram, ADEPT Chief Executive Officer.
Katie Stewart, ADEPT President, said:’The new Prime Minister’s ambition for good growth in every British postcode is one that ADEPT shares and has long championed.
‘Growth works best from the bottom up: decisions taken closer to communities consistently deliver better outcomes. Our members – the place directors leading environment, economy, planning and transport services across the country – know first-hand that sustainable growth, good housing and resilient infrastructure depend on local knowledge, local leadership and collaboration.
‘We particularly welcome the Prime Minister’s recognition that the imbalance of resources between national and local government is holding back growth and his commitment to give local areas greater control over the essentials – from buses and housing to high streets – that shape people’s everyday lives.
‘We welcome the commitment to see the positive in all places. His recognition that rural and coastal communities have been overlooked for too long is significant: devolution must not only be offered to cities and indeed, must reach beyond. Empowering rural economies and coastal towns is essential if every community is to share in growth and in Britain’s ambition to be a leading innovation nation.
‘Any extension of devolution must be backed by sustained, flexible funding and strong partnership across all sectors – national and local government, business academia and communities working together. Place-based collaboration as the new operating principle for UK plc is a statement we fully endorse. As the government sets out its plans in the coming weeks, we are ready to play our part in turning this vision into delivery on the ground.’
The Prime Minister addressed ADEPT members directly on the devolution agenda as a keynote speaker at the Association’s Autumn Conference in November 2025, held under the theme ‘Devolution and government reform – the biggest shake-up the sector has seen for 50 years?’.
Photo: Stewart@stewartwrittle.co.uk
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