This update covers the latest development on devolution, local government reform and industrial strategy.
The Chambers can have a major influence on how these interlinked policies are implemented in Essex. We will want to truly reflect members’ views though so please do not hesitate to email Iain McNab, Head of Policy at the Chambers or on 07929 522 951 if you wish to find out more, discuss or comment on any of this. We very much welcome your input.
Devolution White Paper published 16 December
The government’s commitment to devolution and a shake-up of local government is set out in its Devolution White Paper.
This has major implications for Essex, which currently comprises two unitary (i.e. single tier) authorities in Thurrock and Southend, a county council (upper tier) and twelve districts (lower tier).
The ambition will be, over time, to abolish the county council and districts and move to a fully ‘unitarised’ county. Much of the country is already unitarised but Essex, Kent and Hertfordshire are not. The ‘ideal’ size of a unitary is considered to be a population of around 500,000, which would imply the existing 15 councils in Essex being reshaped into three unitaries, or possibly four. Clearly there is plenty of room for contention and argument – not just over geography but also about whether unitarisation will actually deliver improved public services - is a ‘good thing’ - and we expect the wrangling over this to be quite intense.
The Chambers will continue to have a key role in representing business views and we will be keen to ensure that these changes to do not get in the way of moves to devolve powers from Whitehall to Essex under a Mayoral deal (which does not have to wait until the county is fully reorganised).
What will be devolved to local areas under devolution deals?
The idea is to transfer responsibility away from central government in the following areas:
- transport and local infrastructure
- skills and employment support (key here is the LSIP, which the Chambers has led on)
- housing and strategic planning
- economic development and regeneration
- environment and climate change
- health, wellbeing and public service reform
- public safety
Greater Essex Business Board
This board will help set the priorities and direction for economic growth in Essex, so will be an important forum for getting business views across to local authorities in the county as they move towards and then beyond a devolution deal with government. In effect, it will ‘own’ the Essex Local Growth Plan, which will be an expression of the national Industrial Strategy as it applies to Essex (the English Devolution Bill, will create a statutory requirement for all Mayoral Strategic Authorities to produce a Local Growth Plan, setting out a long-term vision for growth in their region over the next decade and a roadmap for how this can be achieved).