Mims Davies MP was in the Chamber today for the Urgent Question on Devolution
This puts councils in a difficult situation as they will spend millions of pounds organising elections, candidates and more, only for the councils to be abolished soon after.
16 County councils have requested to join the priority programme, so far. The decisions will be made by the end of the month if they are accepted and whether or not the local elections will be cancelled which Mims knows is of huge importance to residents.
Over the past 20 years, more powers have been given to local and regional mayors in areas like transport and housing. The Mayor of London was the first role of this kind.
Mayors will be required to draw up local plans to boost economic growth, which is one of the new government's five "missions".
This will happen regardless because of Labour's white paper - if accepted, local councils will need to work together on proposals for what their new councils will look like, otherwise the Labour Government will decide for them.
The English Devolution White Paper sets out how the Labour Government plan to transfer power out of Westminster to local government.
Mims Davies MP said:
I made sure I was in the Chamber today to hear the Urgent Question on Devolution.
I have received multiple correspondence from concerned residents on this topic, what it means for democracy, and what it means for the local elections.
I'd like to reassure residents that I am on the case and will keep you as updated as I can as soon as I find out more details.
As things stand, this is happening. Whether we like it or not.
Conservative MP, David Simmonds asked:
May I ask the Minister, first, what assessment has he made of the Boundary Commission’s capacity to undertake the necessary reviews to ensure equal distribution of electors across the new local authorities?
Can he give an indication to the House of when he will make decisions, so that local authorities will know whether they are preparing to organise elections and are willing to incur those costs or not?
We know that a number of other announcements are in train, particularly the indication from the Deputy Prime Minister that areas currently setting a low level of council tax will be punished through revisions to the funding formula, so when can local authorities expect to know what impact such revisions to the funding formula will have?
I look forward to informative answers from the Minister.
