London councils call for bespoke devolution deal in English Devolution Bill

All 32 London boroughs issued a joint statement today (3 April) describing the bill as a "golden opportunity to modernise London's devolution settlement" by introducing measures that would enable formal joint decision-making between the Mayor and boroughs over relevant powers and funding.

Currently, boroughs have no formal decision-making role within the Greater London Authority, in contrast to combined authorities elsewhere in the country. 

The call comes after the Government announced plans to give "unprecedented powers and budgets for Mayors" in the English Devolution White Paper published in December 2024.

Last month, the Government chose six areas for its 'Devolution Priority Programme', which could see the areas become mayor-led strategic authorities by May 2026.

Today's joint statement meanwhile said the capital's devolution settlement was "designed in a different century, for a different era, and is in urgent need of an update".

It added: "Without a change to current arrangements, we could become the only upper-tier council leaders in the country without a formal say over the decisions of their region's Strategic Authority.  

"By enabling formal joint decision-making between the Mayor and boroughs over relevant powers and funding, including any future integrated settlement, London will be brought more in line with other parts of the country."

The letter proposed a 'combined board', made up of the Mayor of London and the 12 members of the London Councils' cross-party Executive Committee, building on existing ways of working between the GLA and London Councils.

The board would be responsible for decision-making over relevant powers and funding devolved to the regional level, in a similar way to Mayoral Combined Authorities, the leaders said.

The letter noted that London currently relies on voluntary collaboration between the Mayor and boroughs.

It said the lack of formal arrangements and the need to negotiate on a case-by-case basis "inevitably slows down decision-making" and limits the boroughs' ability to make the best use of their collective resources.

The letter added: "We want London to continue to succeed as a global capital city and having a Mayor who is empowered to advocate for London on the national and international stage is a vital part of that – but we cannot let boroughs be left behind. If we do, we will limit our city's ability to drive the inclusive economic growth and positive change that we all want to see.

"Together, we can make sure London has the powers, funding and structures it needs to tackle the challenges we face, deliver better outcomes for Londoners and serve the needs of our capital city for decades to come."

Adam Carey