Expect more announcements on devolution soon was the message from city leaders at the Estates Gazette’s UK cities: increasing opportunity and value for investors panel at MIPIM last week.
Martin Farrington, director of city development at Leeds city council, tantalised the packed audience by saying an announcement about the city’s plans was imminent.
Nottingham too was getting in on the act. David Bishop, deputy chief executive/director of development and growth at Nottingham city council, said plans for a combined local authority were going well, with a decision due before the general election in May.
The panel, in association with Bilfinger GVA and Core Cities, also brought together representatives from Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff and Newcastle as well as industry experts from Brockton Capital and GVA.
Keeping the process moving was a point made by GVA director Joanna Averley.
“We have to make sure the Treasury and politicians are prepared to give away money and power, but that whatever it gives away has to be enough to give cities the ability to make decisions,” said Averley.
What was evident from the panellists and other UK cities representatives at MIPIM was a drive for more collaboration. Old rivalries were being broken down and some in areas one might not expect. Nottingham is working more closely with Birmingham – will we see a Midlands Powerhouse?
And more of a surprise was the forging of a potential Western Powerhouse.
Ken Poole, head of economic development at Cardiff city council, said the Welsh capital was forging closer ties with Bristol with energy and connectivity at its heart.
Whether alliances across borders can be made to work effectively is an interesting one.
Chief executive of Newcastle city council Pat Ritchie commented that as the closest city to Scotland, it would be keeping a close eye on what powers are devolved north of the border. “It creates an imperative to control taxes in the same way,” she said.
Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester city council, added: “We are seeing how we can create a formidable argument around devolution and reaching beyond the natural boundaries. It gives us a stronger platform for growth going forward.”
But he also warned that the process should not be merely about making demands on central government. UK
cities needed to see what they can do for themselves and take responsibility, said Bernstein.
Devolution would certainly make cities more accountable to their electorate. If local authorities are able to keep the returns on the growth generated by local financial control and decisions then it can only further benefit the regeneration and economic growth effort.
Averley commented: “Cities should be able to use the money from growth in a way that they understand best.”
It would, said Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson, enable cities to be in control of their own destiny.
