A shared vision is essential for deep devolution to work

With greater power to rethink and reform policies, local leaders will be better placed to meet the needs of their local communities. However, they should bear in mind that devolution works best when rooted in a shared vision.

Devolution goes hand in hand with collaboration

Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, has recently urged local leaders to work closely with the Government to transform key areas of policy in areas such as:

• Transport
• Housing
• Skills
• Planning
• Employment support

Local authorities are looking forward to the changes that greater devolution will bring, but they also know that nothing can be achieved without funding and the Government must understand this. Collaboration between central government, local policymakers, housing providers, health and social care providers and communities is essential for devolution to work. There are already plans in place for the Government to meet with metro mayors on a regular basis, but a joined-up approach will be key in every region.

Areas such as Greater Manchester have an opportunity to lead the way in this regard and they have the plan to do just that. The Places for Everyone Plan – a scheme spanning nine of the ten districts in Greater Manchester – is focused on supporting employment, new housing and sustainable growth from 2022 to 2039. The plan’s emphasis on providing jobs and new homes where they are needed, and ensuring sufficient transport infrastructure is in place to support these efforts, speaks to the positive changes that can be made through a shared vision. Coupled with the latest devolution deal secured in March 2023, this vision is driving several key infrastructure projects across the area.

A case study for the ‘devolution revolution’

Examples of how deeper devolution can deliver more for local people do not come clearer cut than in Greater Manchester. The city of Manchester is one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK but some of Greater Manchester’s outlying towns have a high level of social deprivation. Housing built in the first wave of the Industrial Revolution means some of the housing stock is among the worst in the country. Communities such as Rochdale and Bury are yet to see much benefit from investment in the city centre and their limited ability to attract funding and investment for affordable and social housing is having an impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities.

With its shared vision and the Places for Everyone Plan, Greater Manchester has an opportunity to rewrite its own narrative. By working with all parties responsible for delivering homes, jobs and health and social care services, local authority planning teams can develop Local Plans that ensure funds are directed to areas in most need. Shared local knowledge is invaluable and could be leveraged to make a compelling case for more funding from central government, showing the positive impact that new housing or housing improvements could have on local communities.

Greater Manchester’s record for demonstrating the potential of devolution is remarkable but the city can do more to spread wealth and funding should be directed to the areas and communities that need it most.

Key takeaways

With the ‘devolution revolution’ taking shape, there’s no time for local leaders to waste. Those responsible for housing, employment and health and social care must come together to create a shared vision for what deep devolution could bring to their area. This preparation will help to ensure they get maximum value from taxpayer’s money.

Here is a summary of key actions for local leaders to consider:

• Work closely with local organisations and communities to develop a shared vision for devolution. Where is funding needed most and what could it achieve?
• Assess current policies for key areas. Could these be amended to better serve the shared vision?
• Consider whether Manchester’s Places for Everyone Plan could be replicated elsewhere.
• Use local knowledge to reinforce funding cases to central government. Consider how the needs of local people can be shown in a compelling way.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Cox.

• Share this