What is Devolution and how does it affect us?

You may have heard the word 'Devolution' mentioned recently and if you're wondering what it means, you're probably not alone. 

Put simply, Devolution is the term used by the government to describe the passing down of some Westminster responsibilities to the regions. In the early days these are likely to include things like regional public transport and infrastructure, as well as some powers over some adult skills funding which is currently controlled nationally.  

The government is proposing a new layer of local government, a Strategic Authority, which would sit above our existing local councils, and this could also have a Mayor. If it did, there would be significant national funding, and it would be called a Mayoral Authority. 

While the government will allow mayors to raise Council Tax, it's also offering more than £20 million of public money, per year for each Mayoral Authority. 

Which all sounds positive, in principle. 

However, what isn't so clear is what will happen to the funding of the local councils who will continue to provide most of the public services they do today; the roads, the bins, adult social care, children's services and many others. Without any guarantees of funding, there are suspicions national funding may be diverted to Mayoral Authorities. And this might look like robbing Peter to pay Paul. 

At the moment, I believe it's the right thing to engage with the government. Extra funding for our region is very important, but we must know for certain there are no strings attached. I am always suspicious of what looks like free money. 

And the right geography is important. A Mayoral Authority for our region would be competing directly with the likes of London, Manchester, and Birmingham so if we do go ahead, I will be pushing for it to be the largest area possible. One that could have influence on a national scale. 

Supported by the vast majority of our Central Bedfordshire councillors, I have given a strong steer to the government that we acknowledge the extra powers and funding which will go to Mayoral Authorities, but that we need the geography to be right. We've also told the government we think the public should get a vote on whether we go ahead.