Devolution – what it means for Herefordshire
In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. The process of devolution enables decisions to be made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.
Over the last 10 years, the UK Government has taken steps towards the transfer of power from central government to local authorities and combined authorities in England through a series of 'devolution deals'.
A devolution deal is the agreement between the government and local areas on the powers to be devolved and the arrangements that need to be in place for devolution to take place.
English Devolution White Paper
On Monday 16 December 2024, the government published its English Devolution White Paper - Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth.
This sets out how the government intends to deliver its proposals for devolution in England over the course of this parliament.
The White Paper outlines plans to replace two-tier local government with unitary authorities, and the establishment of regional Strategic Authorities each with an elected Mayor.
The council is currently assessing what this may mean for Herefordshire.
What devolution will mean for Herefordshire
Devolution has the potential to ensure Herefordshire benefits from any additional government funding that may be available.
When it comes to devolution partnerships, we will look to areas that would help achieve our ambitions for Herefordshire, as set out in the Council Plan. In particular, devolution should give us opportunities to strengthen the economy, infrastructure, housing and skills.
As part of a Strategic Mayoral Authority we will be involved in priority setting and strategic decision making that would have previously taken place at a national level. The strategies shaped by new Strategic Authorities will include road planning and transport, infrastructure development and strategic planning, housing, skills and employment, and the environment.
What devolution will look like in Herefordshire
The English Devolution White Paper sets out a new map for local government – no more two-tier authorities and the introduction of new Strategic Mayoral Authorities.
Strategic Mayoral Authorities must cover sensible geographies with a particular focus on functional economic areas, reflecting current and potential travel-to-work patterns and local labour markets. Any proposed geography must not create devolution 'islands' by leaving areas which are too small to go it alone or which do not have natural partners. In time, the government aims to see public service boundaries across newly formed strategic authorities align.
Each Strategic Authority will have an elected Mayor. Their role is to chair the Strategic Authority and lead the strategic planning of the region. They will not replace local town or city council Mayors.
The council is currently assessing what this may mean for Herefordshire and no decisions have yet been made. We expect further updates from government over the coming weeks.
We will then set out what we think is right for the people of Herefordshire following careful consideration of all the options, and this will be subject to Cabinet and Full Council approval.
How the final decision will be made
We must carefully consider all devolution opportunities and options, to ensure that Herefordshire isn't left behind or is the subject of a government-arranged devolution deal.
Our starting position is that any devolution arrangement must be in line with our vision of 'Deliver the best for Herefordshire in everything we do'. We have clear ambitions to deliver the infrastructure the county needs, and we are well placed to work with others to set the framework for a devolution arrangement that supports this.
Progression to any further stages of devolution in Herefordshire will be subject to the appropriate approval by councillors and the government.
Decisions will be made at Council meetings which are held in public, and there will be further information on this. A public council meeting will be held when there is a sufficient amount of detail to allow for a meaningful debate around the devolution options that are right for Herefordshire.
Timeframe for a decision on devolution
We expect further updates from government over the coming weeks, following which we will have a clearer idea of the timeframe for decisions on devolution for Herefordshire to be made.
Devolution and the Marches Forward Partnership
As devolution only applies to councils in England, it is not possible for the four councils of the Marches Forward Partnership (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Powys and Monmouthshire) to come together under a devolution deal.
The Marches Forward Partnership remains committed to cross-border working to attract investment to benefit the Marches area.