City Regions and Devolution in the United Kingdom: A Comprehensive Guide

City regions are subnational administrative divisions that combine urban and rural areas and are led by elected mayors. They are a relatively new form of local government in the United Kingdom, with the first city regions being established in 2011. Devolution is the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the central government to local or regional authorities, including city regions. It has been a key policy of successive UK governments since the 1990s, with the aim of giving local communities more control over their own affairs.

History of City Regions and Devolution in the UK

The concept of city regions has its roots in the early 20th century, when a number of regional planning authorities were established in the UK. However, it was not until the 2010s that city regions began to emerge as a distinct form of local government. The Localism Act 2011 provided the legal framework for the creation of city regions, and the first city regions were established in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, and the West Midlands in 2011. Since then, a number of other city regions have been established, including the Tees Valley, North of Tyne, and West of England.

City Regions and Devolution in the UK: The Politics of Representation (Civil Society and Social Change)

by Robert F. Gorman

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5672 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	176 pages

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Governance Structures of City Regions

City regions are led by elected mayors, who are responsible for overseeing the region's strategic planning and economic development. Mayors are elected by the public for a four-year term. In addition to the mayor, city regions have a number of other elected officials, including councilors and members of the city region assembly. The assembly is responsible for scrutinizing the mayor's decisions and holding the mayor to account.

Economic Development Strategies of City Regions

City regions play a key role in promoting economic development within their areas. They do this by investing in infrastructure, supporting businesses, and attracting investment. City regions also work with other local authorities and businesses to develop joint strategies for economic development. For example, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has developed a strategy called the Greater Manchester Economic Blueprint, which sets out a vision for the region's economic future.

Challenges and Opportunities for City Regions

City regions face a number of challenges, including:

• The need to coordinate between different local authorities and stakeholders
• The need to attract investment and support businesses
• The need to address social and economic inequalities

However, city regions also have a number of opportunities, including:

• The ability to develop and implement their own economic development strategies
• The ability to attract investment and support businesses
• The ability to address social and economic inequalities

City regions are a new and evolving form of local government in the UK. They have the potential to play a key role in promoting economic development and addressing social and economic inequalities. However, they also face a number of challenges, including the need to coordinate between different local authorities and stakeholders and the need to attract investment and support businesses. The future of city regions is uncertain, but they have the potential to become a powerful force for change in the UK.

City Regions and Devolution in the UK: The Politics of Representation (Civil Society and Social Change)

by Robert F. Gorman

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5672 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	176 pages

FREE