Welcome to the October 2022 edition of the LGA’s Devolution Improvement and Support Bulletin.
The new Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP has appointed a new ministerial team, with the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP returning as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Lucy Frazer MP and Felicity Buchan MP have been appointed to the department as ministers, joining Dehenna Davison MP, Lee Rowley MP and Baroness Scott of Bybrook who have been reappointed to their roles.
October saw the first of LGA’s new webinar series on devolution. This webinar looked at making a success of governance, accountability and scrutiny, and the slides are available on the LGA’s website. If you missed it, don’t forget to put the next three in your diary now:
Stories
Michael Gove MP returns as Levelling Up Secretary
Investment zones ‘under review’ says Levelling Up Secretary
Publications
Is levelling up working for the North East?
Academics from Nothumbria University have published a research paper questioning whether the Government’s flagship Levelling Up policy is working for the North East. They argue that the North/South gap is widening, and that the region is in danger of slipping further behind as economic and social conditions continue to deteriorate.
Levelling up growth prospectus from the West Midlands
The West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a Levelling Up Growth Prospectus. This prospectus is a far-reaching blueprint setting out what is needed to level up the region. It aims to fire up the regional economy by driving forward a new, green industrial revolution while attracting major private sector investment.
Mission Improbable: how the cost of living crisis will affect levelling up
Reimagining Whitehall
Making up ground – the role of green infrastructure in urban regeneration
This report from Groundwork looks at the place of green infrastructure in urban regeneration policy and spending, from the early 1980s to the present day. It analysed recent funding for place-based regeneration, finding that less than five per cent of funds have been used to support green infrastructure regeneration projects.
Oral Questions
Inquiry into funding for levelling up
Levelling Up Barry, Vale of Glamorgan
Alun Cairns MP proposed this debate. He argued that Barry has been ignored by the Welsh Government despite it having five areas in the 10 per cent most deprived wards in Wales in 2011. He also highlighted the positive changes, such as the Barry Making Waves project, which includes a bid for £19.9 million of levelling up funds to release a £32 million project.
In response, Dehenna Davison MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responded that successful levelling up fund bids should hear back by the end of the year, and underlined that £970,000 has been allocated to six projects across the Vale of Glamorgan already from other funds, such as the Community Renewal Fund. She also said that she continues to look at funding simplification, recognising that not all areas have the capacity and experience to complete lengthy and complicated bidding processes.
Governing England report published
Investment Zones: Will they work?
This Centre for Cities online event on 10 November follows the announcement of Investment Zones in September’s fiscal event and the deadline for applications from interested places on 14 October. It will explore whether Investment Zones will encourage growth in the areas where they are located and the potential pitfalls and additional policy interventions that will be needed to be considered.
Sharing ideas
Devolution webinar series
The LGA is running a series of webinars for areas exploring or negotiating a devolution deal with Government. The first webinar, on making a success of governance, accountability and scrutiny, took place on 17 October, and slides are available on the LGA’s website.
All webinars will be free for all councils and combined authorities. Book now to secure your space.
Please contact your regional principal adviser if you would like to discuss LGA support.
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