Deadlock on devolution deal as deadline passes with Bedfordshire councils still at odds
No agreement has been reached yet about a devolution deal for Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes (BLMK), after a government deadline passed yesterday (Monday, October 26).
Divided opinions about the best arrangements for a strategic mayoral authority for the region have left uncertainty surrounding a potential £186m annual pledge from central government.
This includes an estimated £23m per year specifically reserved for critical local infrastructure, while a coordinated strategic approach is projected to unlock an extra £52bn in economic value by 2035.
While Luton Borough Council and Milton Keynes City Council want to push ahead with the offer on the table, Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council are less enthusiastic about the financial incentives.
Within the individual local authorities, there are mixed political viewpoints, adding to the deadlock. The Labour and Liberal Democrat groups on all four councils have committed to the BLMK footprint arrangement.
CBC leader and Independent Potton councillor Adam Zerny posted on social media: “I’ve written to the government declining its present devolution offer.
“There’s support from councillors for the principle of a mayoral authority, but the majority of us feel the geography isn’t right.Civil servants mentioned to us that the government wants this mayoral authority to cover Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes, and that annual funding of £23m would be provided across the region.
“A mayor would be elected in 2028, and would have powers over development, transport and adult skills, across the region. However, a mayoral authority should cover a big area.
“While£23m across the region is much more than was originally offered, it might only pay for the mayor’s office and little else.The government suggests the big benefit of mayoral authorities is being able to plan infrastructure and transport across a region.
“With a larger area, the efficiencies of regional transport planning would be greater. We want buses that span the region, rather than just running to the edge of county borders.”
West Northamptonshire Council, North Northamptonshire Council, and Bedford Borough Council wish to work with CBC alongside Luton and Milton Keynes, he added, saying: “I’ve said that our door remains open to further talks.”
Conservative Bedford Mayor Tom Wootton continues to back the six-authority devolution version, while acknowledging he needs more detail.
A spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council said: “The elected mayor of Bedford Borough Council has responded on the preferred devolution option, which is to support a six-authority proposal. Full Council has not considered this matter as it is an executive function and the mayor has exercised his executive power by responding directly to the Minister.
“The Elected Mayor responded on October 26 setting out that he did not support the BLMK proposal. As above, the response constituted an executive function and the mayor exercised his executive power by responding to the consultation on behalf of the council.”
The four authority Liberal Democrat leaders wrote in a letter to the devolution minister: “We believe devolution could make a real difference to residents’ lives.
“It would help create more opportunities for local people, improve access to jobs and skills, and ensure decisions about transport, public services and investment better reflect the needs of our communities.
“It’s important that this opportunity isn’t lost. We want to take the next steps together, so our residents and businesses don’t miss out on the benefits it can deliver.
“The four authorities have a strong track record of working together on shared priorities already, including future growth and development. Devolution would build on these relationships.”
Writing jointly in support of a BLMK-wide approach, the four Labour group leaders described it as “a significant opportunity to strengthen local decision-making, secure investment and to deliver lasting benefits for the communities we represent”.
They added:“We believe working together through a strategic regional arrangement would enable us to take a more coordinated approach to economic development, skills, connectivity and public service reform.
“It would also give us greater influence over the decisions that affect our residents, employers and local economies. The financial and economic potential is considerable.”