Public vote needed on devolution plan says Central Bedfordshire council leader
A public vote in Central Bedfordshire and some of its surrounding local authorities should be held before a final decision is taken by the government on devolution in the region, councillors are due to be told tonight (Wednesday, September 2).
The government should also fund this ballot, suggests a motion to an extraordinary Central Bedfordshire Council meeting.
The motion considering future devolution issues is due to be presented this evening by council leader and Independent Potton councillor Adam Zerny.
It asks the local authority “to support him to continue engaging with the government about devolution, while welcoming the recent clarity over funding and governance”.
The motion “sees clear benefits around funding and powers in adopting a mayoral rather than a non-mayoral approach, and acknowledges the greater the funding and power with a larger strategic authority”.
It also “believes one which covers a large part of the OxCam region is likely to be far more powerful than just Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes, and looks forward to seeing the finer detail before making a final decision”.
Councillor Zerny concludes the motion saying “the council believes there should be a government-funded public vote in the region before any final approval”.
Introducing the motion, he noted: “Since the appointment of the new Prime Minister, devolution has moved to the centre of government policy by seeking to establish a new framework for the relationship between central government and local areas.
“Through its ‘Rewiring the State’ Cabinet statement at the end of July, the government has set out its intention to transfer powers, funding and accountability from Whitehall to local leaders, enabling decisions to be taken closer to the communities they affect.
“The stated objectives are to support economic growth, improve public services and strengthen democratic accountability. As part of this programme, the government has written to council leaders across England seeking expressions of interest in enhanced devolution arrangements.
“Local authorities in particular are being invited to consider as soon as possible whether they are interested in forming a mayoral strategic authority. They are being asked to respond to government on their appetite for this mayoral model.”
A recent briefing note from CBC chief executive Marcel Coiffait to its councillors “asks whether a foundation or mayoral strategic authority should be pursued” locally.
“But to answer this question, members need to consider whetherdevolution is something they would support at the government’s suggested pace or reject, stated the briefing note.
“Councillors need to establish what they believe best serves the interests of the residents they represent,” it added.“Devolution doesn’t remove the powers or responsibilities of local councils.
“CBC would continue to deliver children’s services, adult social care, housing services, public health, environmental activities such as waste collection and recycling, local planning functions, leisure and libraries, community safety and public protection, as well as most local highways functions.
“Strategic authorities would focus on those issues the government feels are best addressed at a wider strategic scale.”