Further devolution powers to be granted under new Levelling Up Bill

Local authorities across the country are set to be given more devolved powers by 2030 as part of the new Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech yesterday.

The government has committed to set Levelling Up missions, produce annual reports to track them and create a new model of combined authority, the ‘County Deal’.

Under this, local leaders would be given the powers to enhance local accountability, combine services, provide transparency and reflect local preferences through directly elected leaders’ titles.

Plans to allow local authorities to take over empty premises for community use and instigate rental auctions to revitalise high streets have also been outlined.

Residents have also been taken into consideration and will be given more of a say over local issues, such as the changing of street names, and will be able to vote on property extensions in their area.

However, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, has warned levelling up can only be achieved if local governments are given adequate powers.

‘Over the last decade, England has taken steps towards greater devolution, but areas outside our city regions have remained stuck in the ‘devolution slow lane’ and the UK remains one of the most centralised countries in the democratic world,’ he said. ‘There is an urgent need to turbo charge the speed at which we are devolving powers to local areas so we are pleased that the Government has used the Queen’s Speech to make good on its commitment to offer all of England the opportunity to benefit from a devolution deal by 2030.

‘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.’

Mr Jamieson later went on to praise the government’s plans to bring vacant properties back into use and highlighted the Infrastructure Levy that will ensure councils can deliver housing and facilities suitable for its residents.

‘As well as ensuring that existing homes are high quality, energy efficient and safe, building new, high-quality council homes has to be a national priority,’ said Mr Jamieson. ‘his needs to include urgent reform of the Right to Buy scheme to allow councils to be able to keep 100 per cent of receipts from sales of homes and the ability to set discounts locally.’

Photo by Shane Rounce