‘Devolution revolution’ as county is told it can seek £1 billion for levelling up
LEICESTERSHIRE has been invited to negotiate a £1 billion levelling up deal with the government.
The county is one of nine areas selected for the first wave of County Deal negotiations which would see local leaders given more power to make decisions for their communities under the terms of the Levelling Up White Paper.
A bid was put to the government last year, setting out the county’s hopes for its future, made up from two funding requests – one for £25 million per year for 30 years and one for £50 million per year for five years.
If negotiations are successful, the second pot of money would be used to meet transport and infrastructure requirements.
Parts of the bid also outline plans for better broadband provision; the county’s green agenda and carbon reduction; and improvements to adult skills and further education to support the labour market.
A county council spokesman said there are also plans for an innovative scheme to pool up to £200 million from clinical commissioning groups, local authorities and the NHS into a Better Care Fund for children’s social care and health, creating a more joined-up and collaborative service.
Councillor Nick Rushton, county council leader, said: “The wellbeing of children and young people has been an important part of our bid, which I believe has made it particularly attractive to government.
“We welcome the government’s decision to invite Leicestershire to be in the vanguard of County Deals and look forward to working with it to get the very best deal for Leicestershire’s businesses and residents.
“Leicestershire has lost out for far too long so we’re fully committed to levelling up.”
In addition to the funding, there would also be greater decisionmaking powers granted to county leaders in what the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said was a “devolution revolution”.
This could include more control over areas such as transport, infrastructure and skills.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, said: “The United Kingdom is an unparalleled success story.
“But not everyone shares equally in the UK’s success and for decades too many communities have been overlooked and undervalued.
“Levelling up and this White Paper is about ending this historic injustice and calling time on the postcode lottery.
“But we know each town, city and county that makes up the UK is unique, with its own history, culture, challenges and pressures.
“That’s why we are making an historic change to put power in the hands of people who know their communities best, to drive real change so that where you live will no longer determine how far you go.”
Increased powers could depend on Leicestershire electing a county mayor, a possibility which divided councillors when it was discussed at a full council meeting last year. The government has said it “wants more areas to have a high-profile, directly elected leader who will be accountable to citizens and act as a champion for their areas”.
Coun Rushton has said the council might have to be “willing to swallow” this if it would enable it to deliver its own priorities.
Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Mullaney said: “While I welcome any extra funding from this Tory government the reality is it’s likely to be a sticking plaster given the years in which they’ve underfunded our county.”
He has said the Party “does not support elected mayors”. MP for Rutland and Melton, Alicia Kearns, said the County Deal “will deliver the local government that Leicestershire deserves”. Bosworth MP Dr Luke Evans said: “It’s fantastic to see that Leicestershire is right at the top of the government’s agenda, and will be one of the first counties in England to be offered a new County Deal. “We have historically had one of the worst-funded, yet most efficient, county councils in the country, and this new deal will not only help to boost the level of funding available for essential services, but also give us greater control of our own area with a ‘Londonstyle’ deal.”
“The Secretary of State for Levelling Up has offered to meet myself and my fellow Leicestershire MPs, and I will certainly be taking him up on it, to make sure Hinckley and Bosworth gets the most out of this new deal, on the back of our successful £19.9 million Levelling Up Fund bid last autumn. This is fantastic news for Leicestershire.”
The government has also set out a 12-point plan detailing its national levelling up goals, which include better public transport, improved child literacy and maths levels and falling crime.
Leicestershire County Council has said it is now waiting to hear from the government about the next steps.