Devolution has bred empowerment for the UK’s local authorities, according to a panel of industry heavyweights at MIPIM UK yesterday.
Speaking at Estates Gazette’s “UK Cities: Where is regeneration happening and what are the government’s objectives?” debate, panellists, said there had been a change in feeling among local councils.
“There is a new pro-growth feeling among local authority leaders, which is a joy to see. It is not just devolution, it is empowerment,” said Jackie Sadek, chief executive at UK Regeneration. “But it isn’t universal and national. There are some places in the country that will not accept any more growth, places like Stoke, Cheshire and Warrington.
“Why wouldn’t you reward them with government support in order to deliver the agenda, rather than fight with someone in some leafy shire to do something that nobody wants?”
While panellists acknowledged that a prelet commitment from the Government Property Unit would help to leverage further regeneration schemes and funding, they agreed it was not the “be all and end all”.
Tim Johnson, strategic director of place at Wolverhampton Council, (pictured) said the focus also needed to be on people and skills and stressed the importance of placemaking when delivering a large-scale regeneration scheme.
Martin McKay, executive director of Regeneration at Clyde Gateway, added: “It is not just about economic assets but cultural assets. We are also focusing on our creative sectors.”
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