England council shakeup: five ways it could affect you

The Deputy Prime Minister has announced plans for the biggest local government restructuring in England in 50 years.

Angela Rayner wants to give everyone a directly elected mayor, and make district councils part of wider authorities.

Speaking to an audience of regional mayors, local authorities and business leaders, he hailed the proposals as “a turning point as we finally see communities, people and places across England start to take back control of what are important to them”.

But what difference could it make in your local area?

Local government across England is often referred to as a patchwork.

In some places there are both district and county councils, each providing some services. Some places have a council that does everything, and some places have a mayor that oversees it.

Rayner’s plan is to create a similar system across England. So the banks and libraries, planning and leisure centers will all come under one council.

The government says amalgamation of councils could save £2bn. This comes amid a bleak picture of council finances across the country.

Neighboring regions would then be grouped together into what is called a strategic authority with a directly elected metro mayor. Recent examples of this include Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, which now fall under the East Midlands Combined County Authority, and elected their first mayor, Labour’s Claire Ward, in May.

Half of England’s population currently has an elected mayor, according to research they are popular locally.

Polling by a non-partisan think tank The Center for Cities suggests that mayors are the most recognizable local political figures in their area.Three quarters of people know who they are – far ahead of MPs or council leaders.

Mayors must create local development plans for their areas to help kick-start the economy.

They will have to work with major employers, universities, colleges and industries in their regions to identify areas for growth in the region.

Local leaders will then need to create conditions for development, such as college courses and job center support that match local skills gaps. All of which, it is hoped, will create jobs, the government says, as local leaders understand a region’s strengths and ambitions better than Whitehall.

“We must regenerate England and end hoarding in Whitehall by transferring power and money from central government to those who have skin in the game,” said Rayner.

Mayoral transfer deals also typically come with a 30-year investment fund of hundreds of millions of pounds. Some mayors also have powers to charge their council tax on council tax – although not all those without this power actually charge one.

Areas that can demonstrate strong financial management will receive so-called integrated settlements. This means they get a pot of money from Whitehall and can choose how they see fit, rather than a specific budget for specific things.

Under the plans, local mayors will be given authority over their area’s transport.

This could mean London-style networks, where buses and light passenger trains are operated as part of a single system.

Some areas that already have mayors are doing this. Greater Manchester has taken everything. Bus service back under control As part of the Metrolink tram as well as the Bee network, with plans to add passenger trains to the system by 2028.

And the mayor in West Yorkshire is Tracey Braban. Bringing the buses back under your controlwith plans of Build a massive tram system Along with that

Research by the Center for Cities shows that Transportation is by most kit All policies were put in place by mayors.

Mayors would also have greater powers over e-bike schemes under the plans, with the ability to fine customers and companies whose bicycles were left dangerously unattended.

Mayors will be given responsibilities for strategic planning. This means they have to make plans to build housing and infrastructure.

Housing is one of the government’s top priorities, with a pledge to build 1.5 million more homes in England before the next election.

Local authorities will not be told how many homes they have to build until later Areas were targeted.. But they will get input on how to regulate housing development in their area, help identify areas for construction and make decisions about affordable housing.

They will also be able to collect a levy from developers to help pay for the infrastructure needed to accommodate the increase in homes, such as roads, major junctions and reservoirs. They will also have a say in freight and logistics.

And mayors will be able to intervene in planning applications that they consider to be strategically important for an area – just as the government says they will intervene in applications that are strategically important for the whole country. are important from, eg Prisons.

Local communities currently have the right to bid for local community assets that are at risk of being lost.

This includes sports facilities, historic buildings, pubs, libraries and cafes, as well as local news outlets and youth clubs.

The government says it wants to replace this right to bid with a right to buy, with funding available to purchase community assets.

Local communities and businesses will also be given options to rent out shops that have been vacant for a long time, helping to revitalize high streets.