New scrutiny powers over regional mayors among string of amendments to English Devolution Bill

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport said the amendments would increase public scrutiny of regional mayors, introduce new powers to protect local spaces, and strengthen standards for taxi and private hire licensing.

The bill is currently being considered by the House of Lords, after passing through the House of Commons.

The amendments, which were tabled on Thursday (19 March), include the introduction of new “Local Scrutiny Committees”, aimed at holding regional mayors to a higher standard of scrutiny over how public money is spent and decisions are made, the Government said.

These committees will apply to all established Mayoral Strategic Authorities from April 2027, and to all other Mayoral Strategic Authorities from April 2028.

Commenting on the amendments on social media, deputy chief executive of the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny, Ed Hammond, highlighted new provisions that would introduce “explicit powers for scrutiny over value for money – but at the moment no power to investigate VfM across the whole place”.

He also noted that the amendments include “clarified rights for [combined authority] scrutiny committees on access to information, requirements on certain individuals to attend, etc (with some of this subject to regulations); a new power (subject to regulations) for CA scrutiny committees to issue civil penalties for non-compliance for certain individuals, up to the value of £5,000; and a power for the Secretary of State to make regulations covering a range of other issues including committee membership, allowances etc”.

He said the CGS plans to produce a detailed briefing in the coming days.

Monitoring officer and legal and governance consultant Geoff Wild, meanwhile, highlighted amendments that would enable local authorities to hold council meetings online in certain circumstances, require planning authorities to appoint a chief planner, and remove the requirement to retain a leader and cabinet structure, instead allowing local authorities to determine their own governance models.

He also noted changes to the voting system for five types of local government elections, moving to the alternative vote, among other amendments.

Mayors will also gain new powers to support arts, heritage and the creative industries, with culture becoming an official responsibility for Strategic Authorities for the first time, according to the Government.

If approved, the changes would also allow mayors to appoint up to 10 commissioners, “allowing them to better respond to the demands and priorities of their region and residents”, the Government added.

Communities will meanwhile be given a longer period in which to save pubs, parks, libraries and other valued local spaces.

Another amendment would extend the Community Right to Buy listing period from five to 10 years.

In addition, the Government said the amendments include powers to allow enforcement officers to temporarily suspend taxi and private hire vehicle licences issued by another English authority, where a driver or vehicle is operating outside their licensed area, and there is an immediate need to protect the public.

Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander said it is “vital that authorities can act fast to stop dangerous drivers, taxis and private hire vehicles wherever they operate”.

Devolution Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh added: “Each region in England has its own unique history, culture and identity. It’s right that we recognise that, champion it, and provide the people in those communities with the powers they need to make the most of the places they call home.

“We’ve listened to what our regions want and need - and that’s why we are providing the powers that local leaders need, and the accountability local people deserve, to make a real difference at the heart of villages, towns and cities up and down the country.”

Adam Carey