News / Politics
Uncertainty over new powers for Bristol
There is uncertainty over whether Bristol will gain more power and freedom from Westminster after George Osborne announced devolution plans for English cities.
A Cities Devolution Bill is set to be included in the Queen’s Speech, making devolution a top priority for the new Conservative government.
The Chancellor said he wants to ”deliver radical devolution to the great cities of England”.
is needed now More than ever
He added that only cities with elected mayors will be able to take control of transport and housing, which should put Bristol in pole position for new powers.
But Bristol mayor George Ferguson, who has been in London to argue the case for devolution, said new powers depend on whether Bristol can convince the government it is a “cohesive city region”.
Dr David Sweeting, a local government expert at the University of Bristol, agreed that the lack of a Greater Bristol authority may hinder the city’s bid for more control.
“I think it is a certain kind of mayoral authority George Osborne is looking for,” Dr Sweeting said. “The way I see it is that he is saying, ‘I want to see more working together, like in Manchester’.
“Historically, the councils here have not been brilliant at working together.”
Leaders of 10 councils in Greater Manchester agreed to elect a joint mayor last year, unlocking a possible £2 billion of extra funding under the plans announced today.
Ferguson has been in London today to discuss the changes and “argue the case for devolution to Bristol”.
He tweeted: “We should be next in line. Depends whether we’re able to convince Government that we’re a cohesive city region. Advantage of having a mayor!”
He supports an integrated transport authority for Greater Bristol and has been vocal about a city region here, even saying he would work with Cardiff and Newport.
In the run-up to his election he also promised to “bang on the door” at Westminster for more powers.
Mr Sweeting said: “It is clear this is the way the Treasury wants to go – with cities having greater powers and more stuff to do and more freedom to do it.”
“Clearly, Bristol is quite a big player and has a mayor already, so it all makes sense. All the ingredients are there – whether or not they’ll be baked into a suitably tasty cake for Bristol, we’ll have to see.”
In 2012, Bristol’s GVA, the total value of goods and services produced in the area, was £11.7 billion, above Sheffield, on £11.2 billion, and below Tyneside, on £17.2 billion. Greater Manchester has a current GVA of £56.3 billion.
Bristol has the highest GVA of any core city outside of London.
Photo by Jim Cossey