Transport for the North: A tale of two cities
Michael Mousdale, partner and head of local government for law firm DWF, on a growing gap between Leeds and Manchester in the pace of devolution.
“It is recognised that Manchester has made the running for local government on the whole agenda. It set up the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in 2011, building upon the success of AGMA and giving statutory effect to many years of collaborative working.
“Other northern conurbations caught up when combined authorities were formed in West and South Yorkshire, Merseyside and Tyne and Wear in 2014. The Tees Valley will join the party on April 1.
“But whilst others were catching up, Greater Manchester was already on the next steps, agreeing devolution deals with George Osborne, which saw it take on new powers around planning, housing, skills, policing and transport, followed by the breakthrough health devolution deal. It has not stopped there. It was a bidder in the round of devolution bids last year seeking a package worth up to £7bn.
[VIDEO: 899]
“Across the Pennines, it has been a different story. That bidding round saw the submission of competing and overlapping bids for devolved powers being submitted by Leeds City Region and York, North Yorkshire and East Riding. There is still no deal. There is a growing feeling of cynicism and dissatisfaction with the whole process and whether the Government is really committed to the north.
“But the biggest difference has been the issue of an elected mayor. Government has been clear. Nobody has to have a mayor, but you will not get as much as you want without one.
“West Yorkshire, like the whole of local government, believes that the imposition of an elected mayor on a regional basis is a waste of money and unnecessary. Whilst Manchester has compromised on this, West Yorkshire is holding firm to this principle.”
The comments form part of a free, downloadable supplement on Transport for the North.
