Loading Events

Metro Mayors: next steps for devolution in England

Event type: Other Urban
Date: 30/03/2017

The unfolding process of devolution in England is entering a period of substantive change in 2017. The election of metro mayors in Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Tees Valley, West Midlands, West of England and Peterborough and Cambridgeshire, in May 2017, along with potential elections in Sheffield City Region, and the continued introduction and evolution of Combined Authorities, mark the emergence of significant new political and institutional actors in the devolution landscape in England.

Amidst discussion of the promise and potential of the new posts, many questions for local governance remain. Can the metro mayoralty provide a better devolved governance model to address the pressing economic, social, environmental and political challenges at hand? How can the new political actors deal with the continued impacts of austerity upon their responsibilities, powers and fiscal capacities? Can the mayors influence the Government’s new place-based industrial strategy? Will metro mayors trigger wider public engagement and renewal by providing more accountable, transparent and inclusive local politics?

Chair and Panel

Chair: Peter Hetherington, Guardian

Confirmed panellists:

  • Andrew Carter: Chief Executive, Centre for Cities
  • Victoria Bettany: Senior Researcher, Centre for Local Economic Strategies
  • Aileen Murphie: Director, DCLG and Local Government Value for Money, National Audit Office
  • Professor Andy Pike: Director, CURDS, Newcastle University
  • Tom Walker: Head, Cities and Local Growth Unit, Department for Communities and Local Government

Audience and Registration

This is a knowledge exchange event intended for colleagues with a relevant professional interest in issues of devolution and governance (e.g. policy-makers, industry and business leads, academics, practitioners and third sector).

Spaces are limited and registration is essential.

Please contact the RGS-IBG Policy team (policy@rgs.org) to request a space, providing details of your professional interest in attending this event.

Image credit: Pablo Fernández, flickr