‘Non metropolitan England’ is an expression that captures the large and small towns, the villages and hamlets, the coastal communities and the rural and the deeply rural areas in which 62
per cent of the English population live. It refers to a diverse range of places with significant differences in their demographic make-up, geography and economy, populated by people
that want to live fulfilled and successful lives and businesses that strive to prosper and grow.
Pragmatix Advisory has been commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) to explore the economic challenges facing rural and coastal areas, with a particular focus on deprivation, and outline what steps government can take to strengthen the recovery and resilience of these communities within the current context.
Jointly produced by the LGA and National Association of Local Councils (NALC), this publication describes five models of how principal councils are devolving services to a more local level. ‘Modelling devolution' offers food for thought together with some recommended do's and don'ts for those councils that are contemplating devolving services.
This document presents a framework for principal councils looking to support parish and town (local) councils to play an increased role in local service delivery and place-shaping. While it is aimed at principal councils, the research has also been steered by interviews and discussion with representatives of the local council sector.
Drawing on the experience of the devolution deals agreed since November 2014 – and Greater Manchester’s experience in particular – the research has found four major themes critical to the success of a distinctively English form of devolution.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has long called for genuine devolution to local areas. We believe that greater fiscal freedom, the power to raise more money locally and have greater control over how this money is spent in local areas is a crucial part of this process.