In January, we reported on the English Devolution White Paper, and the proposed overhaul in government in the country. Since then, there have been significant developments in the journey towards devolution.
Recent Updates
In February, the minister of state for local government and English devolution, Jim McMahon, announced the six devolution areas that are being taken forward on the Devolution Priority Programme. These areas are:
- Cumbria: Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council
- Cheshire and Warrington: Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Warrington Borough Council
- Greater Essex: Essex County Council, Thurrock Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council
- Hampshire and Solent: Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Isle of Wight Council, Southampton City Council
- Norfolk and Suffolk: Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council.
- Sussex and Brighton: East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council.
These council areas will all have mayoral elections in May 2026, providing a fast-track to mayoral devolution.
The Combined Authorities of Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire will both elect mayors in May 2025. This year we will also see the formation of combined authorities in Devon and Torbay, and Lancashire.
While not part of the Devolution Priority Programme, the county election for Surrey will be postponed from May 2025 to May 2026, due to the so-called ‘urgency of creating sustainable unitary local government’ in the area (MHCLG).
Out of the 33 council elections scheduled for May 2025, 9 have been delayed due to the reorganisation and devolution changes, with the remaining 24 continuing as planned. In addition, there will be a total of 6 Mayoral elections, four for Mayoral Combined (County) Authorities and two for individual Local Authorities).
Ongoing Discussions
While plans have already been confirmed in some areas, discussions continue in Kent & Medway, Thames Valley and the Heart of Wessex. At the time of writing, no formal plans had been made in Telford & Wrekin, Swindon, North Somerset and Plymouth.
Next steps
On 6 February 2025, the government invited all of the remaining two-tier areas in England, together with small neighbouring unitary councils, to make interim proposals for new unitary councils by 21 March 2025, followed by full proposals by 28 November 2025.
Areas that are part of the Devolution Priority Programme will be given the chance to share their views on devolution through government consultations, with further announcements expected in due course.