Core Cities call for greater devolved powers to exploit growth

AHEAD of the vote on Scottish devolution, the eight English Core City leaders have urged Government to grant more powers to the regions so they too can start benefiting from the devolved policy Scotland already sees.

Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Core Cities Cabinet and leader of Manchester City Council, leads the combined calls for greater fiscal and decision-making powers for the English city regions.

With a national conference in London today, he said: “With the prospect of devolution looming for Scotland and Wales irrespective of the outcome of the Scottish referendum, decentralisation within England is now one of the biggest single economic issues facing Government.”

Commercial property adviser GVA will use the Core Cities Summit to launch new research highlighting how the case for greater regional control is a compelling one given that the eight English Core Cities and their regions account for 27% of the English economic output.

The research, dubbed ‘Evolving Cities’ highlights how the Core Cities, whose ranks have recently  swelled to include Glasgow as the ninth and newest member, were once global drivers of trade, commerce and industry, sharing investment opportunities and wealth creation with London more equally. With the decline of many regional industries and manufacturing in general post-war, the commerciality of these cities has declined too, and the economy has become imbalanced towards London and the South East.

Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Independent forecasts demonstrate that the Core Cities have the potential to deliver an additional 1.16 million jobs and £222bn into the national economy by 2030. Our transport systems need a step change to enable this to happen, improving national connectivity, particularly through High Speed Rail beginning with HS2, and improving and integrating local transport systems.

“Local transport infrastructures require radical improvement if we are to maximise economic growth from our Core Cities. We have under-invested in transport nationally and particularly outside the South East.”

As demand for political and fiscal devolution from London into the regions intensifies, Core City leaders have reached the consensus that only by working together can the regions plan for and sustain balanced economic growth, explore new opportunities and maximise the benefits of skilled and motivated local workforces and marketplaces to attract investment both from within the UK and abroad.

Iain Jenkinson, Senior Director and head of Planning, Development and Regeneration in the North for GVA, said: “The Core Cities Project collectively represents the first chance in a generation for regional cities to work together to actively shape their own future; the powers they currently have are only a starting point.

“This will not be a quick fix. Rather it will take time and require the Core Cities to continue working together with a range of partners, from international governments and sovereign wealth funds to more local players such as universities and business leaders.
 
“Schemes such as an improved rail network or hub airport require planning, funding and support at a macro level but in the long run, it is up to the Core Cities themselves to shape and fund what works best for them. Central to this agenda is the devolution of even more powers to create greater fiscal, economic and political autonomy, and to seal strong and sustainable growth for decades to come.”