Six fast-tracked devolution areas will receive a multi-billion pound long-term funding package to support the building of new homes and improved high streets, the government has announced.
Combined county authorities in Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton will share almost £200 million every year for three decades, as part of the government’s Devolution Priority Programme.
Mayors will be able to spend the funding flexibly on local priorities to boost their area’s economy and create lasting jobs and opportunities. The funds can also be used to increase housebuilding, including accelerating regional housebuilding programmes and initiatives or bringing more social and affordable homes on the market.
The minister for devolution, faith and communities, Miatta Fahnbulleh (pictured) said:
“This money will help transform communities for the better as part of our Plan for Change.
“It will help new mayors achieve what their areas’ want most, from building more of the 1.5 million homes this government has promised to improving the green spaces that locals love – this is how devolution improves lives across the country.”
Once mayors are in post in each of the six areas, they will receive the 30-year investment funds as part of a wider package of devolved powers and funding in areas including transport, planning and skills.
In the six combined authority areas Cheshire and Warrington will receive £21.7 million per year, Cumbria will receive £11.1, Greater Essex Combined will be awarded £41.5 million, and Hampshire and the Solent will receive £44.6 million.
Norfolk and Suffolk will receive £37.4 million per year, with Sussex and Brighton awarded £38 million.
All six regions will also receive a minimum £3 million each as a minimum over the next three financial years, in addition to an initial £1m payment in the coming months, to help with the costs of establishing the new mayoral authorities.
Four of the areas – Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton – are currently reorganising their local councils into stronger unitary authorities to create simpler, more effective structures that can better support mayors’ powers.
New unitary councils in the four areas are expected to be established in 2028.
Ministers have confirmed they are considering holding inaugural mayoral elections in these areas in May 2028 to ensure strong foundations are in place ahead of devolution, with areas completing the reorganisation process before the mayors take office.
“This would ensure that new mayors come into office with effective and empowered local government already in place, helping them hit the ground running from day one,” the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said in a statement.
The remaining two areas, Cheshire and Warrington and Cumbria, already have unitary councils in place. Mayoral elections in these areas will proceed in May 2027 as planned.
Ministers will continue to work with both areas to bring forward the legislation to create their mayoral authorities.
Image credit: Miatta Fahnbulleh ©House of Commons/Roger Harris
