Deadline day for Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes devolution funding
Labour leaders say a BLMK deal could generate £186m a year, but not every area is convinced
A government deadline for Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes to secure a devolution funding package expires today (Monday 26th October).
The four Labour group leaders of the area's local authorities say a BLMK-wide deal could generate about £186m a year.
They also say a return to pre-pandemic levels of economic growth could create an additional £52bn in economic value by 2035.
Luton Borough Council and Milton Keynes City Council are keen to proceed.
Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council have yet to be convinced.
A BLMK strategic authority would take on powers transferred from central government.
It would also give local leaders, and a potential directly-elected mayor, greater influence over decisions previously handled in Whitehall.
What the Labour leaders say
The four leaders wrote jointly in support of a BLMK-wide approach.
They described it as 'a significant opportunity to strengthen local decision-making, secure investment and to deliver lasting benefits for the communities we represent'.
In a letter to the government, they said: 'Our four areas share strong economic, transport and public service connections.'
They also said: 'We believe working together through a strategic regional arrangement would enable us to take a more coordinated approach to economic development, skills, connectivity and public service reform.'
The leaders said: 'The analysis undertaken by Metro Dynamics indicates that a BLMK devolution framework could generate about £186m annually in funding for the region, and a return to pre-pandemic levels of economic growth could create an additional £52bn in economic value by 2035.'
They added: 'We recognise the importance of the government's confirmation that BLMK is the only devolution geography it's currently prepared to take forward for our area.'
The leaders also said: 'We understand that different geographical arrangements may be proposed and that individual authorities will have their own perspectives and priorities. But pursuing an alternative configuration risks jeopardising the immediate opportunity before us.'
They concluded: 'There can be no certainty that a comparable offer of powers, investment and institutional support will be available if the current opportunity is lost.'
Concerns over the debate
John Baker, an Independent councillor for Aspley and Woburn on Central Bedfordshire Council, attended a meeting called by Milton Keynes City Council.
The meeting was held to share the outcomes of a devolution debate held by Central Bedfordshire Council in its council chamber.
Baker said on social media that Milton Keynes Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors voted against allowing more time, restricting discussion to 15 minutes.
He said this was despite the meeting being intended to allow plenty of time for debate.
Baker said: 'I supported the principle of a regional authority capable of attracting substantial government funding, arguing that Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes alone could hardly compete with Manchester, Birmingham or London.'
He also said: 'I also highlighted a desire of CBC councillors for a government-funded public vote on any new arrangement. MK City Council's leader twice described further debate as "irrelevant".'
Alternative proposals
Conservative Bedford mayor Tom Wootton favours joining BLMK up with Northamptonshire.
The leader of West Northamptonshire Council has written to Devolution Minister Jim McMahon MP.
According to a West Northamptonshire Council statement, the minister stated a preference for 'ruling out a South Midlands arrangement involving West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire to pursue a BLMK model'.
Warning over hesitation
Luton town ambassador Tamar Lovindeer-Robinson, of TBM Consulting, also commented on the delay.
She said: 'The hesitation by Bedford (Borough) and Central Bedfordshire threatens to bankrupt our region's future.'