Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), Devolution, Strategic Planning, Growth and Investment

The English Devolution White Paper sets out a new devolution architecture for England, centered around Strategic Authorities. These authorities will be empowered with clear access to defined powers, enshrined permanently in law, and will cover the entire country. The government’s goal is to achieve universal coverage of Strategic Authorities, with a strong preference for Mayoral models.

Mayoral Strategic Authorities will include the Greater London Authority and all Mayoral Combined Authorities. They will have more extensive powers, particularly in areas like strategic planning, transport, and economic development and will play the overarching place stewardship and convener of delivery in their sub regions . Over time, these authorities can qualify as Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSA’s), unlocking further devolution, including access to Integrated Settlements (consolidated funding pots).

One of the most significant aspects of the Devolution Framework is the emphasis on Strategic Planning delivered through new statutory Spatial Development Strategies (SDS). The government has committed to implementing a universal system of strategic planning within the next five years, with SDSs playing a central role and will be the foundational for leading vision, convening and accelerating growth, attracting long term investment and monitoring targets and trajectory of key place indicators which will be set out and agreed in devolution business cases and agreements with government.

Under the new remit of MSA’s there will be a requirement to produce Local Growth Plans (LGPs) which are aligned with Spatial Development Strategies (SDS’s) that will provide investment frameworks with the associated statutory ‘teeth’ to help deliver on government ambitions.

This is articulated in the government’s Plan for Change and enshrined in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill which sets out its mission to kickstart economic growth and rebuild Britain, through the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure that has been held back over recent decades.

The Plan for Change also highlighted how Britain lacks key infrastructure, including for transport and energy and the lack of a coherent long term approach to growth inhibits the institutional and inward investment required to help shoulder the heavy lifting.

The English Devolution White Paper sets out a new devolution architecture for England, centered around Strategic Authorities. These authorities will be empowered with clear access to defined powers, enshrined permanently in law, and will cover the entire country.

Comprehensive Solutions

How To Approach An Integrated Programme

Implementation Programme

Planning a high-level programme for SDS preparation aligned to the specific LGR and devolution context of the sub region and Devolution Programme timescales and concurrent related programmes.

Team & Capacity Planning

Appraising the current and future capacity, resourcing and skills required to implement strategic planning and the related delivery ecosystem, investment frameworks, data, digital and governance.

Financial Planning

Ensuring resource ask from government covers the system of change required including the implementation of statutory functions that require complex partnership and governance arrangements.

Organisational Blueprinting

Developing and testing underpinning operational architecture across authorities (people, process, technology, data and partnerships), organisational design and transformation roadmap.

Evidence Base Preparation

Strengthening and developing a realistic and deliverable Business Case with a coherent vision and roadmap for investment security, helping with proving/scenario modelling for growth.