'Extremely early days' for combined authority plan

Councils in the East of England have said it is “extremely early days” in discussions over forming a new combined authority.

Jack Shaw, a local government expert and senior adviser for think tank Labour Together, posted on X that six councils - Milton Keynes, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire - were considering submitting an "expression of interest" in a South Midlands Combined Authority.

A combined authority brings together existing local authorities but does not replace them, and supports councils to work together across a wider geographic area on issues such as transport and housing.

Ten have been set up across England, including one for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Jason Smithers, Conservative leader of North Northamptonshire Council, told the BBC the idea was discussed at a meeting last month.

He said the council approved, in principle, the establishment of a South Midlands Authorities Joint Committee comprising the six local authorties.

“This would replace the current Central Area Growth Board governance model and, in particular, its decision-making powers," he said.

"The new government has signalled its intentions to devolve more powers and funding to the local level.

"It has asked councils to begin discussions with neighbouring local authorities and asked for initial expressions of interest to be submitted by the end of September 2024."

A report on this is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the council.

A spokesperson for nearby West Northamptonshire Council confirmed devolution was also likely to be an agenda item for the next South Midlands Authority Board meeting on September 17.

Meanwhile, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked Bedfordshire’s three unitary authorities if they were considering submitting an “expression of interest".

Adam Zerny, Independent leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “I will be seeking the views of councillors on this at our executive meeting on September 10."

He said following that "they will provide comment to the government, but this will not be a formal decision on devolution because we do not yet know what this will involve".

In separate statements, Bedford Borough Council and Luton Borough Council said: “This is extremely early days and we are looking at all options.”

The latter added: “The best interests of residents in Luton will remain our priority.”

A combined authority is a legal body set up using national legislation that enables a group of two or more councils to collaborate and make collective decisions across council boundaries

Its members can be more ambitious in joint working and can take advantage of powers and resources devolved to them from national government.

While established by Parliament, they are locally owned and have to be initiated and supported by the councils involved.

Milton Keynes City Council has been approached for comment.

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