GLD Vacancies

MPs launch inquiry into Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill

The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee is to hold an inquiry into the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill.

The committee said it would examine a variety of devolution issues as part of the inquiry, “looking at the lessons which can be learned from City Deals, whether the Manchester devolution deal provides a model for other areas, and how the Devolution Bill will build on local accountability”.

It will also consider the current devolution plans for London in relation to the Bill and how the devolution of health spending to Greater Manchester will affect delivery of health services locally.

The committee has called for written evidence to be submitted by 1 September 2015 on the following issues: 

  • "How far the Manchester devolution deal provides a model, and the extent to which this is applicable to other areas; 
  • The devolution of health spending to Greater Manchester and how it will affect delivery of health services locally—and the merits of extending this model to other cities and counties;
  • How the Bill will build on existing local accountability structures and ensure appropriate governance mechanisms are put in place for devolved functions;
  • How the range of models available in the UK and abroad may suit the needs of different authorities, including all areas which have or intend to have a combined authority;
  • The appropriateness of current devolution plans for London and how these relate to the legislation; and,
  • What lessons can be learned from the City Deals programme."

Clive Betts MP, Chair of the CLG committee, said: "Devolving power to local areas is the right way to help boost economic growth across the country and can potentially deliver more effective and efficient public services. As a Committee we will want to examine whether this Bill can help deliver real devolution, making services responsive and accountable to local people, and how far the Greater Manchester model is a template for other areas."

In the previous Parliament, the CLG committee published a report on Devolution in England: the case for local government.

This called on the Government to allow local communities in England to take greater control over how money is raised and spent in their areas.