Devolution deals discussed by local councils

Hertfordshire County Council has submitted an expression of interest in a devolution deal to the government

All six upper tier local councils in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire are in discussion over potential devolution deals.

In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government, so decisions can be made closer to the local areas they affect.

Luton, Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough and Milton Keynes City Council are in "extremely early days" conversations with their Northamptonshire neighbours over forming a combined authority for the South Midlands.

Meanwhile, the government said it was "minded to" agree a deal with the Buckinghamshire unitary - and Hertfordshire County Council has just submitted its own "expression of interest".

Central Beds Independent leader Adam Zerny has concerns over whether a mayor would the right idea for a South Midlands Combined Authority

None of our councils are being replaced, so will remain responsible for big budget items like maintaining roads, social care and children's services.

Tentative plans for a South Midlands Combined Authority that would see some of our councils working together across a wider geographic area on issues like transport and housing have recently been unveiled.

Ten of these already exist, including for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough where the combined authority has worked with partners and stakeholders to open a new university in Peterborough.

Some have mayors, although "significant concerns" were raised over how Cambridgeshire and Peterborough was being run with a mayor, but matters are now said to be "improving".

However, Central Bedfordshire's Independent leader Adam Zerny told the BBC there were models that did not include a figurehead.

He said he had "a great deal of concern" that a mayor would mean "they would lose control of decision-making in Central Bedfordshire", which "would be a problem for us".

Hertfordshire County Council leader Richard Roberts feels a devolution deal would help the authority deal with the challenges it is facing

Hertfordshire is the only part of Beds, Herts and Bucks with a two-tier governance system and its Conservative-led authority said any devolution deal would include its district and borough councils that help to provide services for more than 1.2 million people.

Leader Richard Roberts said: "Against a backdrop of financial pressures and growing demand for our services, we're seeking a devolution deal that maximises our many strengths and enables us to better tackle the challenges we face."

He added that "from investment in our roads and public transport to keeping Hertfordshire moving, to tackling health inequalities in our county and growing our green spaces, transferring key powers and funding from central government to local decision makers will help us ensure our places are thriving, our people are healthy and our businesses prosper".

Buckinghamshire Council leader Martin Tett has admitted its potential devolution deal is "the start of a long journey"

In Buckinghamshire, the Conservative run unitary authority rejected a plan for Wycombe to get its own town council, amid concerns it could lead to council tax bills rising by £200 a year, despite campaigners insisting it would mean more decisions on the future of Wycombe being made locally.

Devolution deals should not mean an increase in council tax and the government has said it is "minded to" progress a non-mayoral agreement for Buckinghamshire, with details of what that means for the county unclear.

Council leader Martin Tett said: "We are pleased to hear this news but know this is the start of a long journey."

He added: "We are committed to start working with the government to discuss devolving powers and funding to a local level, ensuring that decisions are made closer to our residents, communities and businesses and to enable us to tailor our policies and delivery to the specific needs and opportunities of Buckinghamshire."

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government described these agreements as "an important step for places to see early benefits from devolution in the short-term".

"However, in making this down payment in good faith, the government is encouraging these areas to continue working to explore the next steps towards deeper and wider devolution."