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Growth through devolution: A New Year’s outlook

• Posted on January 12, 2018 by Aileen Murphie

  A third of people living in England outside London live in one of England’s nine combined authorities, six being cities with directly elected mayors. Some commentators have expressed disappointment that the recent Secretary of State’s Annual Report on Devolution 2016-17 confirmed that there were no further devolution agreements in 2016-17. With combined authorities intended to be a key driver of local growth, should people, both in these regions and especially in areas without a combined authority, be clamouring for more action on devolution, or should we wait for clarity about the UK’s exit from the EU? What it will take for combined authorities to succeed in their aims? And do elected mayors have the potential to become significant figures on the national political stage? more… Growth through devolution: A New Year’s outlook

  Tagged: Access to services, Accountability, Brexit, Collaboration, Customer service, Devolution, Growth, Housing, Leadership, Local government, Police, Public sector reform

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Local services: managing demand, money and quality

• Posted on February 3, 2016 by Aileen Murphie

  Deficit reduction means less money for most government departments and, in turn, for the local services they fund. In four recent reports we have pointed to the consequences when central government departments decide on funding reductions without the understanding needed to ensure the sustainability of services and organisations. Looking across these reports we identify key lessons for departments making funding decisions that impact locally. more… Local services: managing demand, money and quality

  Tagged: Cost reduction, Financial sustainability, Further education, Local government, NHS, Police

  2 Comments