English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill announced

A new English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, tabled by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, aims to reshape the planning powers by enabling local planning decision-makers and strengthen the community rights and local accountability. The bill is currently in its early stages of passing through the Parliament.

The proposed legislation will specify a "strategic authority" for each area in England, with functions previously held by the central government, including strategic planning, housing, transport and local infrastructure, economic development and regeneration, as well as developments covering environment, net-zero, skills and employment support, health and wellbeing and public service.

The move formalises what the Government has called a "universal framework for English devolution". Ministers would also gain the authority to compel areas to adopt mayoral models or enter Strategic Authority status, even without a local devolution agreement.

The new powers for the strategic authorities would involve:

• developing and implementing local growth plans;
• overseeing key transport route networks;
• introducing development charges on infrastructure projects;
• regulating micromobility services like e-scooters and bikes; and
• appointing commissioners to enhance policy delivery and oversight.

The Bill proposes significant changes to local government operations, which would involve:

• requirement for local authorities to move to a cabinet model of governance, ending the use of committee systems;
• establishing of a statutory local audit office to tackle failures in local financial auditing and improve accountability; and
• barring mayors from simultaneously holding seats in devolved parliaments or Westminster, addressing concerns over dual mandates.

Combined authorities, combined county authorities, and the Greater London Authority will be classified as strategic authorities under the Bill.

The Bill also introduces a "community right to buy" which will allow local groups the first opportunity to purchase an asset of community value.

The head of policy at the Royal Town Planning Institute, Robbie Calvert, welcomed the changes as "a significant milestone" in the devolution agenda, enabling "a more meaningful transfer of powers" over transport, housing, economic development and public services to mayoral strategic authorities.

"However, we remain concerned about the practical challenges of implementation – in particular, the resourcing gap, with 150-200 additional planners likely to be needed to deliver strategic development strategies effectively", he added.

"It is also vital that communities are brought with us on this devolution journey. Meaningful community engagement must be embedded in the preparation of strategic development strategies to ensure the benefits of growth are widely shared.

"To truly fulfil the promise of devolution, these new powers must be matched by investment in planning skills and capacity, and a strong commitment to public participation."