News & Insights
The Institute’s response to the National Audit Office’s report on Devolution
The National Audit Office (NAO) produced an important Report last week – assessing the progress made on English devolution. It highlights the fact that the DCLG’s Cities and Local Growth Unit now has 155 staff masterminding the 10 devolution deals already struck … and the 34 proposals submitted by English Councils last September.
It raises legitimate questions about accountability, local geographical complexities and the likely impact of these far-reaching changes in local government. But are there, possibly, some other messages that need attention.
Rhion Jones of the Consultation Institute thinks there are. “Creating new super-Councils and introducing Mayors in return for extra powers and funding is popular with many Council chiefs. But we are less sure that local people, local communities and local stakeholders have been fully consulted. Local identity is extremely important if major decisions on housing, infrastructure, employment and economic development are to be taken in the coming years.”
“Reading between the lines of the NAO Report” says Rhion “reveals several concerns that the whole policy is being aggressively driven by the Treasury and that speed is often the enemy of best practice.”
Rhion will be reviewing the Report and discussing its implications at tomorrow’s (27 April) Consultation Institute Roundtable in Birmingham on Devolution & Engagement.