Devolution – 27-9-22
History of Devolution in England
County and Borough councils functioning in a two-tier system under them, district councils.
But in 1990s it moved to unitary authorities. The greater London council from 1965 and six
others followed for the main urban areas: West Midlands, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire,
Tyne and Wear, Greater Manchester, and Merseyside. But Thatcher abolished these in
1986.
Tony Blair creates national and local councils with an elected mayor with executive powers,
which is supported by the Greater London Assembly where they share ideas such as
policing, transport, and economic development. Then, by 2015 a further 16 areas had
adopted the mayoral model e.g., Liverpool and Manchester.
Greater London Authority
Mayor Assembly
Council
The mayor mainly has power over transport and policing.
It worked in the 16 big areas however outside of them there was little progress in the
regional areas. The regional assemblies were set up to promote economic policies
supported by central government.
Eventually Blair targeted just three areas, the Northeast, Northwest, and the Humber where
the regional identity was the strongest. Then only one referendum was held (Northeast) and
78% of the vote was no.
The coalition of 2010 abolishes the Regional Development Agencies. The coalition combined
local authorities into ‘city regions’ where metro mayors would oversee municipal change.
Greater Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, and Liverpool were given powers over transport,
economic development, and housing. Their goal was to create a ‘Northern powerhouse’
History of Devolution in England
County and Borough councils functioning in a two-tier system under them, district councils.
But in 1990s it moved to unitary authorities. The greater London council from 1965 and six
others followed for the main urban areas: West Midlands, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire,
Tyne and Wear, Greater Manchester, and Merseyside. But Thatcher abolished these in
1986.
Tony Blair creates national and local councils with an elected mayor with executive powers,
which is supported by the Greater London Assembly where they share ideas such as
policing, transport, and economic development. Then, by 2015 a further 16 areas had
adopted the mayoral model e.g., Liverpool and Manchester.
Greater London Authority
Mayor Assembly
Council
The mayor mainly has power over transport and policing.
It worked in the 16 big areas however outside of them there was little progress in the
regional areas. The regional assemblies were set up to promote economic policies
supported by central government.
Eventually Blair targeted just three areas, the Northeast, Northwest, and the Humber where
the regional identity was the strongest. Then only one referendum was held (Northeast) and
78% of the vote was no.
The coalition of 2010 abolishes the Regional Development Agencies. The coalition combined
local authorities into ‘city regions’ where metro mayors would oversee municipal change.
Greater Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, and Liverpool were given powers over transport,
economic development, and housing. Their goal was to create a ‘Northern powerhouse’
