County councils call for no let-up in devolution agenda after Brexit vote

County councils have urged the Government to provide clarity on devolution deals in the wake of the EU referendum.

The County Councils Network (CCN), which represents 37 county councils and unitary authorities that serve county areas, said: “[We] must not let up on the growing momentum for devolution and our calls for real devolution to empower county areas.”

It echoed the Local Government Association’s call for the powers and funding that are returned from Brussels not to reside in Westminster. “It needs to flow from Westminster to the shire counties of England, giving a real say to local people.”

The CCN also warned ministers that, “given the economic uncertainty in the short-term, Government should not pursue combined authority deals that are not supported by our member councils and seek to potentially fragment county councils and their district partners”.

It added: “County councils are responsible for 93% of growth related expenditure in two-tier areas. At a time when county economies need stability, we should not undermine the county role and our partnerships with district councils in supporting private enterprise and job creation.”

The CCN added that it would look “to put forward a positive case for delivering devolution and public reform at size and scale, building on, not undermining, county governance”. 

It said: “The changing dynamics in Westminster present an opportunity to put forward alternative models for devolution to county areas. Our members have continuously raised concerns over the one-size-fits all approach to elected mayors.

“There is now a period for this and future Government’s to reconsider this approach where our members feel this governance model is not appropriate for their areas.”

The CCN retained a neutral position during the referendum campaign.