Devolution Myth Busting

BY Labour Councillor Daniel Cowan, Leader Of Southend City Council.

 The hot topic across Essex is devolution. And as with any hot topic, there’s a lot of misinformation out there and some misconceptions we need to address.

 Let’s start with Thurrock’s debt. Devolution does not mean Southend sharing that debt.  Southend taxpayers will not pay a penny of Thurrock’s debt.

 Next, let’s address the concern that Southend would be giving powers away to an elected Mayor. Devolution is often misreported as a loss of power. In fact the reverse is true.

 Devolution for us here in Southend means a transfer of power from the halls of Westminster, to local decision makers. It means a strategic combined authority that can deliver major regeneration projects, transport improvement programmes, and economic growth plans, that have faltered under the endless bureaucracy of a two-tier system.

 The decentralisation of power also enhances local accountability, where major strategic projects do not fall by the wayside. The buck will stop with us, here, in Essex.

 Alongside devolution comes the reorganisation of local government, and I understand the concerns residents have about this. 

 However, this is a positive thing that will make local government more efficient, more sustainable, and more responsive. The two-tier county system is wasteful and smaller unitary authorities are not sustainable in the long-term.

 What is important is that we build new unitary authorities, around meaningful geographies, populations, shared amenities and existing cohesive and co-existing communities.

 In Southend, we understand the benefits of being a unitary authority, having long since seized control of our destiny from the hands of centralised politicians, who did not understand the needs and challenges of our communities.

 For people in Southend, this will represent a largely administrative change as the services that are delivered here will not change other than to improve.

 For our nearest neighbours, it will be transformative.

 We know that local democracy is at the heart of the everyday experiences and existences of our residents; from our footways and roads, to our community assets, arts and culture, seasonal employment, areas of deprivation, our proud military communities, the deeply held heritage sites, parks and woodlands, and more.

 We also know that our geographical boundaries and relatively small population presents its own challenges, as we commit to delivering statutory services for our most vulnerable residents with ever-increasing costs and budget constraints.  

 Devolution provides us, and our neighbouring councils, with an opportunity to deliver those services with the economies of scale, without compromising on service. It gives us the ability to improve our infrastructure, to have a collective purchasing and bargaining power, to drive efficiencies and savings whilst simultaneously investing in our services.

 As an administration, we are already on course to deliver those goals within the 2025/26 budget, but we want to go further, to do better, to deliver more for our residents.

 Local government reorganisation also affords us the opportunity to deliver councils that work at scale, but also bring community voices to the fore through the strengthening and creation of new parish and town councils, effectively allowing double devolution, bringing powers from government to us, and powers from the unitary council devolving down to parish and town councils.

 By applying to the Government’s priority programme, we can benefit from additional funding and support to help us reshape our local government, to define our model of governance according to the needs of our new and existing communities.

 We have an opportunity to lead from the front, to invest into your priorities, as residents.

 We can establish a strategic authority that works for every resident, every neighbourhood, every need.

 Of course, there will be challenges and considerations. These reforms will require thoughtful planning, considerate consultation, and thoroughly thought-through implementation in order to ensure success. A transition to devolved government requires negotiation and effective management.

 We will engage with stakeholders, including local communities, in order to ensure that your voices are heard and concerns are addressed.

 And as Leader of the Council and a joint administration, I will ensure that all political groups – and independent representatives – are involved as we move forward.

 I truly believe that we can – and will – make this a resounding success for the City of Southend, and that we will deliver governance that hears and represents all of our residents, builds on the attractions for our visitors, pays homage to our vibrant arts and culture and creative scenes, delivers quality care for our most vulnerable residents, delivers safe and decent and affordable homes, enhances our green spaces, and builds a City we can all be proud of.

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