Angela Rayner outlines plan for mayors in all English regions

Angela Rayner has expressed her ambition for each English region to have an elected mayor, detailing proposals for a significant overhaul of local governance. Speaking to the BBC, the deputy prime minister stated that empowering regional mayors with increased authority in areas such as housing, transport, education, and employment would contribute to fostering economic expansion. The government’s proposals also include consolidating areas presently governed by a two-tier local authority system—comprising smaller district councils and larger county councils—with the aim of making services more efficient. However, the organization representing district councils has cautioned that these plans might cause “turmoil” and contended that “mega-councils” could jeopardize localized decision-making. During a speech unveiling the plans, Rayner declared that devolution would become the “default” approach, rather than being “at the whim of a minister in Whitehall.” She characterized the UK as the “most centralised” nation in Europe and committed to stopping “micromanaging by central government.” Rayner indicated that the government intends to collaborate with local leaders to implement its initiatives, but in instances where consensus on a path forward cannot be reached, ministers would be legally empowered to “knock heads together” and establish larger authorities. The deputy prime minister, in an interview with the BBC, explained that these expanded entities would be better equipped to expand operations and address challenges spanning multiple regions. The government plans to disclose the regions it is prioritizing for devolution “in due course,” with the objective of conducting mayoral elections in these locations by May 2026. Additional proposals detailed in a document released on Monday encompass: England’s local government system currently consists of a complex and varied set of arrangements that have undergone significant modifications in recent years. In certain localities, the provision of local services is divided between county councils, which oversee domains like social care and education, and district councils, which manage smaller territories and are accountable for services such as waste collection. Certain areas, especially major towns and some cities, operate with “unitary” authorities that handle both sets of responsibilities, whereas the vicinities of large urban centers are progressively managed by multi-council “combined” authorities possessing enhanced powers in fields like transport policy, planning, and housing. The Conservative party established 11 such regions, each with an elected “metro” mayor, and aimed for every part of England seeking increased powers in some capacity to secure a devolution agreement by 2030. Nevertheless, approximately half of England’s populace resides in regions without a devolution agreement. Prior to the election, the Labour government committed to expanding the application of local powers, viewing it as an essential component of its broader objectives to stimulate economic growth and construct additional housing. The government has now articulated its aspiration to transition to unitary councils throughout England, requesting that areas presently operating under a two-tier system develop proposals for consolidation. Ministers perceive the simplification of local government as a mechanism to facilitate the establishment of more influential local mayors, aiming to remove infrastructure impediments and draw in increased investment. Subsequently, elected mayors would supervise territories encompassing two or more councils and would be granted additional authority over matters like planning determinations and public transportation. Consequently, numerous district councils might be dissolved, leading some to assert that this would strip residents of truly localized decision-making capabilities. This initiative would necessitate a series of national agreements mirroring North Yorkshire, which adopted a unitary authority last year following the merger of eight councils. Such a reorganization would exceed the scope of what Labour committed to in its election manifesto and could be considered the most substantial restructuring of local government since the 1970s. Labour contends that this comprehensive reform will simplify local government and generate cost savings by enhancing the efficiency of service provision. The District Councils’ Network, an overarching organization for these councils, opposes the plans, stating that there is “little evidence” from previous reorganizations to suggest that taxpayers’ money will be saved. Hannah Dalton, the network’s vice-chair, remarked that the “creation of mega councils” might turn out to be “the opposite of devolution.” She further cautioned that the restructuring could trigger a “period of turmoil which will prevent councils from focusing on the local services that drive new homes, jobs and reduce pressure on the NHS.” The Conservatives asserted that Rayner’s declaration formed part of a strategy to “strip councils of their powers” and to enforce reorganization from Westminster “without local consent.” The Liberal Democrats commented that council budgets were “on the brink” and that a failure to adequately invest in social care would lead to the loss of more crucial services. Conversely, the County Councils Network has endorsed the proposals, stating that its members “now recognise the need to embrace the benefits” of devolution amidst “significant financial challenges.” Cllr Louise Gittins, who chairs the Local Government Association, affirmed that “genuine devolution of powers and resources can play a huge role in promoting inclusive economic growth, creating jobs, and improving public services.” She added that her members were “open to change” but “remain clear that local government reorganisation should be a matter for councils and local areas to decide.” Since reassuming power in July, Labour has declared four devolution agreements: Greater Lincolnshire, Hull and East Yorkshire, Devon and Torbay, and Lancashire.