Devolution White Paper: A Transformative Moment for Broxbourne
The long-awaited English Devolution White Paper has finally been published, and it marks a pivotal moment for local governance across England. Titled Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth, this document lays out the government’s vision for a new era of regional leadership and collaboration. At its heart is the commitment to empower local communities, reduce inequalities, and drive growth through devolved powers and responsibilities.
In this deep dive, we provide an initial breakdown of the devolution proposals and explore the options available for the Borough of Broxbourne. We also examine the broader implications for councillors, residents, and the future of governance in our community as we step into 2025. To enrich this discussion, we will be engaging with representatives from both Broxbourne Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council in the coming weeks to gather their perspectives on this landmark document.
A New Vision for Local Governance
The White Paper introduces a range of devolution models aimed at empowering local areas to make decisions tailored to their unique needs. This vision builds on the success of existing combined authorities (CAs) and new County Combined Authorities (CCAs), expanding opportunities for regions like Hertfordshire to take on greater responsibility for transport, housing, skills, and economic development.
CAs, which are typically formed by urban areas or groups of councils working collaboratively, require a population threshold of 500,000 or more to qualify for significant devolved powers. CCAs, a newer model introduced in the White Paper, allow counties and their districts to work together under a single framework, even if they lack the large metropolitan populations traditionally associated with CAs. This opens the door for areas like Hertfordshire to pursue devolution tailored to their needs.
For Broxbourne, this could herald a transformative shift in how our borough is governed. The White Paper emphasizes flexibility, allowing councils to choose from several devolution options, including combined authorities with or without directly elected mayors, county deals, or bespoke local agreements.
Devolution Options for Broxbourne
Broxbourne Borough Council faces several pathways under the proposals outlined in the White Paper:
Joining a County Combined Authority with an Elected Mayor:
Broxbourne could become part of a Hertfordshire County Combined Authority, led by a directly elected mayor. This model would bring significant devolved powers in areas like economic planning, transport infrastructure, housing development, and workforce skills.
Benefits include access to substantial government funding and unified decision-making across the county.
Non-Mayoral County Combined Authority:
Alternatively, Hertfordshire could establish a County Combined Authority without an elected mayor. While this option offers fewer devolved powers, it retains a collaborative approach to regional decision-making and avoids the complexities of electing a mayor.
County Deal:
Hertfordshire County Council could negotiate a county-wide devolution deal, representing all districts, including Broxbourne. This model would focus on shared priorities such as economic growth, transport, and skills, while retaining more traditional governance structures.
Standalone Devolution Agreement:
Though less common, Broxbourne could pursue a direct devolution deal with the government, targeting specific local priorities. However, this option would offer limited powers compared to larger frameworks.
Participation in a Regional Combined Authority:
Broxbourne might join a broader regional authority, collaborating with neighboring counties. This could unlock greater funding and influence but might dilute Broxbourne’s local voice.
Views from Hertfordshire County Council
At Hertfordshire County Council’s headquarters, discussions about the White Paper are likely well underway. The County Council will play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s devolution strategy. Leaders there are likely weighing the benefits of pursuing a County Combined Authority versus a more traditional county deal. The Council’s focus will likely be on securing substantial devolved powers to address priorities such as infrastructure, housing, and skills development while maintaining effective collaboration with its districts.
Early indications suggest that Hertfordshire’s leadership is inclined toward a County Combined Authority model, which would unify governance across the county and provide access to enhanced funding streams. However, achieving consensus among the county’s diverse districts, including Broxbourne, will be critical.
For Broxbourne, this presents an opportunity to ensure that its priorities are clearly represented in county-wide discussions. Borough leaders will need to actively engage with the County Council to advocate for local interests, particularly in areas like transport connectivity, housing affordability, and economic growth.
Councillor Mark Mills-Bishop
Following the publication of the White Paper, Councillor Mark Mills-Bishop, Leader of Broxbourne Council, expressed strong reservations about the Government’s direction on local government reform. In a formal statement, he said:
“I fully support the principle of devolving powers to local areas. However, I am deeply concerned about the impact that the creation of single unitary authorities will have on local communities. I have seen no evidence that the services which residents and businesses receive from Broxbourne Borough Council will be improved by handing those services over to a larger, more remote council.”
Councillor Mills-Bishop highlighted specific concerns about the Government’s proposal to create unitary authorities for populations exceeding 500,000, arguing that such large-scale governance structures would alienate residents and undermine the delivery of place-based services. He continued:
“This will only serve to move decision-making further away from local people. An authority of that size will be unable to cater for the needs of local residents, and the delivery of place-based services will be unmanageable on that scale.”
These comments suggest a clear fear within Broxbourne Council that a shift toward larger unitary authorities would strip the borough of its local identity and autonomy. The concerns also point to apprehension that residents’ needs could be overlooked in favor of broader regional goals. Importantly, Councillor Mills-Bishop emphasized that, as of now, there has been no consultation with district and borough councils or local residents:
“At the present time, there has been no consultation with district and borough councils or local residents, and I want to ensure that local views are taken into consideration.”
The Leader’s statement underscores the importance of local voices in the devolution process and hints at Broxbourne’s reluctance to adopt reforms that might erode its community-focused governance.
Implications for Broxbourne, Councillors, and Residents
The choices made in the coming months will shape Broxbourne’s governance and development for years to come. Here’s what’s at stake:
For Councillors: Councillors will need to navigate potential shifts in responsibilities. Strategic decision-making may move to a regional or county level, requiring greater collaboration with other districts. At the same time, councillors will play a critical role in ensuring Broxbourne’s priorities are represented in any new governance structure.
For Residents: Residents could see significant benefits from devolution, including improved transport links, increased housing opportunities, and enhanced local services. However, there may also be concerns about how these changes impact local decision-making and accountability.
For Local Projects: Devolution could accelerate funding and delivery of key projects in Broxbourne, from infrastructure upgrades to economic development initiatives. A regional mayor or combined authority would streamline these efforts by providing a single point of leadership.
Considerations for Broxbourne
As we explore these options, several key factors will shape Broxbourne’s approach:
Local Identity and Needs:
Maintaining Broxbourne’s unique identity and ensuring its specific needs are prioritized in any regional framework will be critical.
Collaboration vs. Autonomy:
Balancing the benefits of regional collaboration with the desire for local autonomy will require careful negotiation.
Access to Funding:
Joining a combined authority or securing a devolution deal could unlock significant resources for local projects. However, this comes with the responsibility to deliver impactful outcomes.
Governance Transition:
Transitioning to a new governance model will require adjustments at both the council and community levels, including new electoral processes and administrative structures.
Next Steps
As we step into 2025, Broxbourne must actively engage in discussions with Hertfordshire County Council and neighboring districts to determine the best path forward. The government’s flexible approach means that local voices will be instrumental in shaping devolution agreements.
In the coming weeks, we will be speaking with representatives from Broxbourne Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council to gather their insights on the White Paper. Their perspectives will provide invaluable context as we consider the opportunities and challenges of devolution.
We encourage our readers to stay informed and participate in this vital conversation. The future of our borough is being decided, and your voice matters.
Stay tuned for updates and interviews in upcoming editions of the newsletter as we continue to explore what devolution means for Broxbourne.
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Comments from Broxbourne Council