Thursday December 14 2023.

3 minute read

Will devolution deliver? A Camargue conversation.

We have more regional leaders than ever before, and a changing map of economic governance.

With new powers handed to mayors each year and further combined authorities on the horizon, how can we use this opportunity to promote regional growth and improvement across a range of sectors and services?

At the time of writing, secondary legislation for a York and North Yorkshire mayoral devolution deal is being considered by parliament and it is expected that a new combined authority will come into effect early in 2024.

Places across England are forging their own routes to devolution – and in North Yorkshire there’s been significant reform to get to this point, including local government reorganisation.

An election is planned for 2 May 2024 to choose the first mayor for the region. They will oversee a combined authority with a ‘level three’, £560 million, 30-year deal – with initial powers set to include strategic priorities such as transport, housing, and adult education.

Six months ahead of the election, Camargue hosted a roundtable discussion to draw on expertise from the worlds of regeneration, business, housing, transport, planning, policy and investment.

Since our roundtable event, four further devolution deals have been agreed by government – for Hull and East Yorkshire, Lancashire, Greater Lincolnshire, and Cornwall – and the next generation of ‘level four’ devolution with more financial control was announced at the Autumn Statement.

The direction of travel is clear. But is devolution delivering? What should it be delivering?

This report summarises findings from our discussion and sets out the key themes that industry is tracking.

You can download the report here, or read it below.

Jun 26, 2025

3 minute read

Industrial strategy: how to make the UK the best place to invest in the world

All good strategies have to make difficult choices. But they should have clear and simple goals too. The primary one for Government’s new Industrial Strategy is “to make the UK the best place to invest anywhere in the world.”

Jun 12, 2025

The biggest surprise of the Spending Review? The fact there were any

The significant trail of announcements over the last few weeks meant that most of today’s big ticket items were old news by the time we heard them from the Chancellor – but one thing that had been kept quiet was the outlook for day-to-day departmental spending.

We know
our business.

Want to keep up-to-date with news, insight and opinion from across our world?

Subscribe now to receive our newsletter, VIEWPOINT direct to your inbox.

Viewpoint alt

Join over 800 regular readers

Camargue will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

Please see our privacy policy for more details about how to change your mind and unsubscribe.

Viewpoint alt