I am pretty sure most people heading to the Polls next week for local elections are not really thinking much about the structure of our authorities and the devolution debate. In fact we know about 60% of people probably wont even be bothered to vote in many wards.
The devolution debate is hardly a policy area to generate much excitement beyond the policy makers, and local authority officials and elected members? I am not so sure anymore. I see much more interest in communities and business about what greater local powers could mean to empower local communities.
I work at two levels here. With my sport for development role I am talking about very local community engagement at neighbourhood level, where co-creation of solutions working with Locally Trsuted Leaders and Organisations is vital.
The devolution debate is still as much about how to get central government to cede genuine power and decision making out of London. I sometimes can’t believe we are still having this debate!
This excellent publication from the Institute for Government - Devolving English Government is worth the long read.
Devolution is not just an abstract policy debate - it affects our daily lives.
The report quite rightly highlights the chaotic nature of our misaligned administrative boundaries are confusing. The battle between those entities at local level are equally confusing for those not embroiled in the day to day battles about who runs what!
I am sure most people either don’t know or care about which tier of local government delivers their services. A quick test of a few friends highlighted how few knew which did what!
So as we come head into another lengthy debate about devolution across the East Midlands and Leicestershire and what a Combined Authority at Level 2 or 3 looks like, we need to engage more than the usual suspects. This debate belongs to all of us.
That’s why I am keen to ensure the discussion take place beyond the Council Chambers and Board rooms. I am working with numerous stakeholders to create a Leicestershire Think Tank where we can gather evidence, advocate and engage. If you’d like to know more, be a partner or contribute let me know!