WIREDGOV

The LGA respond to yesterday's National Audit Office report on devolution deals in England.

"Councils are working hard on implementing agreed deals and are working with government to finalise those deals which are still to be signed.

"It is imperative that the momentum is maintained to secure deals, especially in non-metropolitan areas whose economic potential is just as significant as that of big cities.

"In terms of accountability, devolution has the potential to improve the democratic process by allowing decisions to be made closer to local people to best meet their needs. But councils should be free to put in place the appropriate model of governance for their communities and not have a ‘one-size-fits-all' model imposed on them where significant new responsibilities are devolved.

"The report rightly recognises the possible complications arising from differing geographies for service delivery and councils, particularly for the recently announced sustainability and transformation plans. Councils and their partners will continue to take a pragmatic approach to designing and delivering services that best meet the needs of their communities.

"We support the study's findings that devolution needs to be accompanied by fair and sustainable funding by Whitehall to manage risk and ensure devolved areas can run services successfully.

"This will help to ensure that the opportunities provided by devolution – delivering economic growth, building more homes, creating jobs and a skilled workforce, and joining up health and care services - will be actively embraced by both local and central government."

View report:  https://www.nao.org.uk/report/english-devolution-deals/