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.

Mar 28, 2025

4 minute read

AI maker, not just a taker: opportunities and challenges in AI growth zones

No one can say with certainty what AI and its impact on society will look like from a decade from now. But the government has ambitions to make AI a lever for growth and position the UK to be an AI maker and not just an AI taker.

Mar 27, 2025

3 minute read

Spring Statement 2025: Cuts and reform – can the economy be reborn?

Last October, Rachel Reeves looked to steady the ship after a challenging first four months in office. Yesterday, the message was one of defence – against global uncertainty, and of Labour’s own record thus far.

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