2nd January 2025
The path forward to unite regions and transform lives
The release of the English Devolution White Paper marks a transformative step in decentralising governance and empowering local authorities. This ambitious plan outlines a future where regions are granted greater control over planning, transport, employment support and more. For Civica, this shift represents an opportunity to further support local government transformation with innovative solutions that enable efficiency and improved citizen outcomes.
Lee Perkins,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
Civica
The devolution agenda is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to empower local authorities with the tools to shape their communities. At Civica, we are committed to being a trusted partner in this journey, delivering the digital solutions needed to transform public services to better serve citizens.
A framework for growth: the key pillars of devolution
In Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s words, "the British people deserve an economy that works for the whole country, with control over the things that matter to them." The White Paper sets a bold vision, grounded in several core components:
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Empowering combined authorities: New powers for metro mayors and combined authorities will streamline processes. The goal is to make devolution the default for eligible regions, fostering local innovation and growth.
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Strengthening collaboration: The formation of the Council of the Nations and Regions and the Mayoral Council for England creates platforms for central and regional dialogue, ensuring national policies reflect local priorities.
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Driving skills and infrastructure: Initiatives like Skills England aim to unify efforts across education, business and local authorities to address regional skills gaps and bolster economic growth.
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Streamlining planning and housing: Overhauled planning procedures will expedite housing and infrastructure development, while giving residents influence over design.
What this means for local authorities
The devolution agenda offers local councils unprecedented opportunities.
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Expanded responsibilities: Local councils will gain powers over planning, housing, transport and economic development, allowing for tailored solutions to local needs.
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Streamlined processes: Simplifying devolution removes bureaucratic hurdles, enabling councils to focus on delivering impactful services.
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Representation at national levels: Councils will have a stronger voice through the Council of the Nations and Regions, ensuring regional needs are recognised in national strategies.
However, the road ahead is not without hurdles. Adequate funding, efficient digitisation, skilled personnel and effective collaboration between central and local governments will be crucial for success. It will be vital to ensure that top-down mandates do not erode local consent and that truly localised decision-making is preserved.
A shared vision for the future
The English Devolution White Paper lays the groundwork for a more responsive governance model. As local authorities transition to this new landscape, Civica is uniquely positioned to support them with transformative technologies and expertise needed for the journey. For example, achieving system integration and effectiveness through its suite of cloud products designed to unify systems, ensure operational scalability and drive productivity. Additionally, its advanced solutions for data-enabled governance and citizen engagement, combined with long-standing relationships with 100% of UK councils, make Civica an ideal partner to navigate the challenges and opportunities of an evolving public sector.
As Lee Perkins concludes, "This is more than just a shift in governance; it’s a chance to reimagine how public services are delivered. Together, we can create smarter, more connected communities."
With collaboration, innovation and dedication, Civica stands ready to support the public sector on this transformative journey.