Core Cities Group was thanked in the House of Commons this week for their contribution towards “a significant breakthrough” in opening a route to greater devolution to drive economic prosperity and growth. During the final debate on the Localism Bill, the Minister for Cities, Greg Clark MP, recorded his appreciation of the work of the group as he discussed an amendment that Core Cities worked on together with cross-party peers in the House of Lords.
The amendment opens the door to greater local control over investment to drive growth, for example for housing and planning, economic development, or pooling resources and effort across functioning economic areas. It means cities can be more joined-up about local investment, moving on from case by case funding applications, saving time and money.
“This is an important new power,” said Mr Clark. “It will allow us to enact, without the need for primary legislation, agreed transfers of power between local authorities and central Government. I should like to put on record my gratitude to the leaders and officers of the Core Cities Group for their help.”
The amendment and associated briefing can be found in the 'Publications' section of this website.