Devolution for Devon and Somerset? >>> a call for public consultation and more concrete facts - Entrepreneur Generations

The Leader of the County Council had been making very unhappy noises about the 'devolution deal' on offer:
Futures Forum: Devon County Council and devolution: "It seems Councillor Hart will proceed no further without much more assurance about what’s in it for Devon."

However, things seem to be moving forward:
Futures Forum: Devolution for Devon and Somerset? >>> a done deal?

Back at the beginning of the month, this reassuring message was sent out by the County Council press office:

Heart of the South West devolution partners to consider Combined Authority
 


Posted on: 1 July 2016

Councils across Devon and Somerset have been reassured that their devolution proposals do not require an elected mayor.

At a recent summit meeting with council leaders, Local Government Secretary Greg Clark said Government would not impose an elected Mayor as part of any Heart of the South West (HotSW) Devolution Partnership deal.

New powers would instead be overseen by a Combined Authority consisting of representatives of Devon and Somerset county councils, Plymouth and Torbay councils, the 13 district councils in the two counties and Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks.

Leaders of the councils and partners have already backed the plan. Each authority will now be asked to formally sign-up to the principle of creating a Combined Authority which would allow the negotiations towards a deal to move forward.

Heart of the South West devolution partners to consider Combined Authority | News centre

The questions keep piling in, however...

Where's the money going to come from?

Without being a pedant, technically much of what we see in England is delegation and not devolution.
Local enterprise: unlocking public sector entrepreneurialism | Public Finance
Devolution – really delegation without funding | East Devon Watch

Why the lack of real consultation?

As reported in the Herald:

Cabinet agrees to continue East Devon devolution talks ‘in principle’

21 July 2016

A draft version of the map to be submitted to the Government as part of the Heart of the South West devolution proposition. Picture: Submitted


Councillors call for public consultation and more concrete facts

Talks on the devolution of power from Westminster to East Devon will continue ‘in principle’ amid calls for a public consultation and more concrete facts.

If successful, the Heart of the South West (HOTSW) bid would see local authorities work with the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to take on more responsibility for economic growth and infrastructure in the region.

East Devon District Council’s cabinet agreed to carry on the conversation in principle at a meeting last Wednesday (July 13) but there was a consensus that more ‘concrete facts’ are needed.

Councillor Cathy Gardner said: “One thing that has concerned me since the beginning of this process is the complete absence of a public consultation. It could have a huge impact. It would be remiss of us to take this forward without seeing what people want.” EDDC’s full council will need to give the final go-ahead to continue talks.

Cabinet agrees to continue East Devon devolution talks ‘in principle’ - News - Sidmouth Herald

And in the EDW blog:


EDDC votes to continue devolution deal despite absence of consultation and facts 

21 JULY 2016

Talks on the devolution of power from Westminster to East Devon will continue ‘in principle’ amid calls for a public consultation and more concrete facts.

If successful, the Heart of the South West (HOTSW) bid would see local authorities work with the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to take on more responsibility for economic growth and infrastructure in the region.

East Devon District Council’s cabinet agreed to carry on the conversation in principle at a meeting last Wednesday (July 13) but there was a consensus that more ‘concrete facts’ are needed.

[Independent, East Devon Alliance] Councillor Cathy Gardner said: “One thing that has concerned me since the beginning of this process is the complete absence of a public consultation. It could have a huge impact. It would be remiss of us to take this forward without seeing what people want.”  

EDDC’s full council will need to give the final go-ahead to continue talks.”

EDDC votes to continue devolution deal despite absence of consultation and facts | East Devon Watch

Finally, why the lack of due process?

DEVOLUTION: HORSES, CARTS, STABLE DOORS …

23 JULY 2016

EDDC issues a press release on 21 July 2016 saying that on 13 July 2016 its Cabinet decided to press ahead with devolution plans:Cabinet agrees to continue East Devon devolution talks ‘in principle’ - News - Midweek Herald

THEN

the Overview Committee discusses it on 28 July:
http://ift.tt/28Vzdz9

And STILL we are not allowed our say!

Priceless.

Devolution: Horses, carts, stable doors … | East Devon Watch
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from Futures Forum http://ift.tt/2anRWXb Devolution for Devon and Somerset? >>> a call for public consultation and more concrete facts - Entrepreneur Generations

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