Will devolution deliver? A Camargue conversation.

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.