The English Devolution White Paper marks a significant shift in local governance reminiscent of historical transformations, reflective of Joseph Chamberlain’s bold move in 1876, to purchase Birmingham’s waterworks without profit intent, which laid the foundation for modern municipal government in England.
After decades of debate, 2024 saw an explosion of interest from councils in devolution. There’s also been an explosion of complex terminology following the White Paper (we will now have combined authorities, combined county authorities, and strategic authorities… but all three are broadly similar where a directly-elected Mayor is leading them).
It’s becoming hard to distil the facts, so let’s start with what we definitively know. This year, the 12 existing regional Mayors (including London) will be joined by two more – Greater Lincolnshire alongside Hull and East Yorkshire. Both will be fascinating electoral contests.
Beyond this, analysis by my team finds at least 12 more areas pitching at least the possibility of a regional Mayor. Some of these look more likely to succeed swiftly than others (will the need for council reorganisation slow down Hampshire and the Solent as opposed to ready-to-go South Midlands, for example?). But it’s seriously plausible that we’ll be approaching 25 regional Mayors by 2026.
Make no mistake, this is the biggest shift in local government in a generation, and may even prove more pivotal than the 1972 Local Government Act which created two-tier council structures. Once the public get a taste for directed-elected – and directly-accountable – local leaders, it will be hard to turn back the clock.
This decentralisation from Whitehall empowers regions in areas like Investment and Economic Development, providing direct channels for funding housing and further education. The Mayors are tasked to lead growth and regeneration efforts, harmonising transport and infrastructure planning.
As Combined Authorities streamline roles, Mayors may take on further strategic responsibilities in healthcare, aligning with workforce reintegration and productivity goals.
Local government faces its most significant restructuring since the 1960s, transitioning to unitary councils alongside elected Mayors, reshaping civic leadership dynamics. New unitaries, serving 500,000 people will replace the two-tier structures and some smaller existing unitaries. These larger councils will deliver all the services we cherish, from adult and children’s social care through to bin collections, libraries, and highways.
The evolving media landscape, with dwindling regional outlets, underscores the Mayors’ role in community engagement. Elected Mayors like Tracy Brabin, Steve Rotherham, Andy Burnham, and Sadiq Khan symbolise a shift towards charismatic figures driving regional narratives and actions, eclipsing traditional council leaders.
The transition to empowered Mayors marks a new era of governance, poised to reshape local dynamics and decision-making processes, heralding a more cohesive and impactful approach to regional development.
This is the Year of the Mayors, and it could be just the thing to unlock Britain’s economic growth.