Local councilors and MPs have opposed plans for new elected mayors for three rural parts of England, claiming the move would be expensive and an unwanted extra tier of government.
The plans were announced in Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget in March. However, Liam Fox, MP for Somerset, urged councils to reject the idea and opt out of new authorities in Lincolnshire, the west of England and East Anglia.
Similarly, Sir Henry Bellingham, MP for North West Norfolk, said in an interview with the BBC: “I don't want a regional leader coming along and saying look 'Henry you've been a bad boy, I gather you don't want this incinerator, you don't want these houses, well actually the region do want it and I'd like you to have it’.
"That is going to put MPs in a very difficult position and change their constitutional position."
A DCLG spokesman said: "The government is making huge progress towards rebalancing the economy and empowering local areas through the devolution of powers and resources away from Whitehall to local people.
"Ministers have been repeatedly clear that devolution is a genuinely bottom-up process - all proposals are agreed by local leaders, and the government will not impose an arrangement on any area."
Local authorities will vote on whether they wish to accept detailed proposals by the end of June.
The government has announced new emergency measures to tackle the current housebuilding crisis in London and unlock tens of thousands of homes.
The Chancellor has appointed growth and productivity expert Dr Anna Valero as an Industrial Strategy advisor.
The Chancellor has announced a £500 million investment package to deliver growth in the Oxford to Cambridge Corridor and cement its status as
New data from Ordnance Survey (OS) will be used to support safe walking across Great Britain.
The government has announced new financial penalties for water companies who commit environmental offences.
Grantex is the UK’s leading supplier of specialist aggregates and producer of Premium Dried Sports Sand for High-Performance Synthetic Pitches.
Creating and maintaining an outstanding synthetic pitch starts with the right foundation. Grantex premium dried silica sand is engineered to deliver exceptional performance, durability and safety across a range of synthetic sports surfaces.
Join us for the landmark 10th Anniversary of the London Build Expo, the UK’s largest and most influential construction and design show.
Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo returns to Excel London across 12-13 November, once again bringing together the world of logistics, supply chain, eCommerce and retail innovation for two dynamic days of opportunity.
Every sport, from grassroots football to world-class tournaments, depends on one constant: high-quality playing surfaces and well-maintained green spaces.
Bauder marked a major milestone in its UK expansion with the official handover of a brand
At Words of World, we specialise in professional translation and interpreting, d
The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and the Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA) have successfully completed a groundbreaking project aimed at exploring the future of cleaning. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the cleaning industry, reflecting a shared commitment to embracing innovation with confidence.
The Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) new framework on Language Services (RM6302), dealing with translation, transcription and interpreting, is live, running from 7th May 2025 to 6th May 2028.
