Devolution Priority Programme Guidance from Locality.org
Guidance from Locality.org on how residents can meaningfully contribute to the consultation.
Published: 7 April 2025
The Devolution Priority Programme was introduced by the government following the
English Devolution white paper, to establish mayoral combined authorities or unitary
authorities across various regions in England. This programme is the first iteration of a
broader agenda to devolve power out of Westminster to communities across the
country.
To ensure community involvement, the government has initiated individual
consultations, inviting local residents, organisations, and public sector bodies in each
region to provide feedback on proposed geographies and operational frameworks for
the new authorities.
In these areas, the programme will result in the abolition of district councils to establish
larger unitary authorities. This restructuring is intended to streamline operations,
enhance efficiency, and facilitate more effective local governance
