'We have a very short window' Bedfordshire councils urged to pull together as devolution deadline looms

The government has made clear to both local authorities, as well as Luton Borough Council and MK City Council, that an arrangement between the four is all its prepared to allow.

CBC has indicated a desire to keep an open mind to joining a larger regional structure, with council leader and Independent Potton councillor Adam Zerny stating previously that “a bad deal is worse than no deal”.

He has also suggested a public vote should be held to resolve its stance around the devolution issue.

Bedford Mayor Tom Wootton spoke against what he labelled ‘Labour’s proposal to create a sub-scale mayoral authority’ which excludes Northamptonshire.

The fear is a Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) regional authority would put rural areas in Bedford borough and Central Bedfordshire at the mercy of Milton Keynes and Luton urban area priorities.

But the leaders of Luton and Milton Keynes are urging their counterparts in Bedford and Central Bedfordshire to work together to keep the region’s devolution opportunity on track, said a LBC statement.

It stated: “After a meeting with the four council leaders earlier this week, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon wrote to confirm the government believes BLMK offers the strongest basis for devolution.

“It’s the only option that could realistically achieve local consensus within the required timescales. He has asked all four authorities to confirm by Monday (October 26) whether they wish to proceed.

“Luton and Milton Keynes remain committed to progressing this opportunity, which would bring vital investment, greater local influence over transport and skills, and new opportunities for residents and businesses across the region.

“The leaders are urging all four authorities to recognise the importance of the decision and commit to working together to take the proposal forward in the interests of residents.

“Bedford and Central Bedfordshire haven’t agreed to proceed on the BLMK footprint, leaving the whole area at risk of missing out.”

LBC leader and Liberal Democrat Barnfield councillor Amjid Ali explained: “The government has made its position clear.

“BLMK is the only devolution area it will consider taking forward for our region. We have a very short window to keep this opportunity alive, and we cannot afford to let it slip away.

“This would unlock vital investment and give us greater influence over the decisions that shape our future, creating opportunities for residents and businesses across all four areas.

“If we fail to move forward now, we risk missing out on funding and powers that could make a real difference to people’s lives, with no guarantee of when a comparable opportunity might come again.

“I urge our colleagues to work with us to keep this moving. We don’t need to have every detail agreed now, but we need to recognise what’s at stake and be prepared to take the next steps together.”

The government has confirmed a new BLMK strategic authority would receive an investment fund and finance to establish the capacity needed to operate, added the LBC statement.

“Analysis by consultants Metro Dynamics suggests that a BLMK devolution framework could unlock around £186m a year in funding for the region. Returning to pre-pandemic rates of economic growth could unlock an extra £52bn for the BLMK economy by 2035.

“A BLMK-wide approach could help connect major opportunities across the region, from the growth of London Luton Airport and the proposed Universal theme park project to future growth in Milton Keynes East and the proposed new town at Tempsford.”