A sweeping new bill aimed at setting the framework for local governance reorganisation in England has been unveiled by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), promising a major shift in how power is distributed from Westminster to local authorities.
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced following the December 2024 white paper, outlines a series of structural reforms to local government. The bill sets out a new legal framework for devolving power to local leaders, with changes touching everything from governance structures to voting systems and community rights.
Three pillars of reform
The legislation is built on three central themes: devolution, local government reform, and community empowerment.
Under a revised Devolution Framework, new powers will be offered to mayors and local authorities, alongside pathways for areas not currently under devolved arrangements. Local government reforms will streamline the reorganisation process in line with white paper recommendations – abolishing the committee system, restricting the creation of new local mayors, and replacing it with more strategic governance.
Communities will also be granted increased powers, including new rights to purchase local assets and make changes to commercial lease arrangements, in an effort to revitalise neighbourhood governance.
Reshaping local governance
The Secretary of State will be granted powers to direct councils in two-tier areas to reorganise into single-tier authorities, with support available to those facing difficulties in submitting joint proposals. This marks a significant change in how local government boundaries and responsibilities are set.
The bill also proposes replacing the First Past the Post system with the Supplementary Vote method for electing mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners. According to officials, the change reflects frustration with recent election outcomes in areas like Lincolnshire and West Yorkshire, where Reform UK secured surprise victories.
One notable element of the bill is its differentiated approach to Strategic Authorities. The Greater London Authority (GLA) will be treated as an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority, with devolution powers applied on a case-by-case basis rather than through a one-size-fits-all framework.
Sector reaction
The bill has been broadly welcomed as a step forward for local devolution, though concerns remain over the balance of power between new mayoral authorities and existing councils.
Cllr Tim Oliver, Chairman of the County Councils Network (CCN), described the bill as “another important step” in ensuring all counties have access to devolution agreements.
“The CCN strongly welcomes the extension in devolved powers announced today,” he said. “It is important that mayors do not diminish the role of councils and instead both should complement each other… It is imperative that new strategic authorities in county areas have parity in the powers and funding available to urban areas.”
Oliver also stressed that decisions about future structures should rest with individual councils: “The network will continue to support members in putting forward evidence-based proposals that are sustainable in the long run.”
Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association, echoed the call for councils to remain central to the process.
“It is critical that the full breadth, diversity and capability of local government is recognised,” she said. “Councils across the country are deeply invested in and vital to the success of English devolution.”
The Local Government Association said it would respond in more detail once it had reviewed the full bill.
Next steps
Local authorities are expected to submit final reorganisation plans by September 2025. The government has said the bill provides the necessary legal and administrative foundations to deliver a more streamlined, empowered, and community-focused system of local governance across England.[vc_cta h2=”” txt_align=”center” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Download your copy” btn_color=”danger” btn_align=”center” css=”” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fsubscribepage.io%2FsAp8qg”]Interested in learning more about devolution? Read Flattening the Tiers.[/vc_cta]