“City deals” set to spread
0Cities minister Greg Clark told cities this week that plans to allow them to devolve even further from central government were well underway.
The government’s proposals to give cities powers to attract private sector investment, create new jobs and “rebalance the economy” were published in the Unlocking growth in cities report in December and eight cities (Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield) are already in negotiations to agree deals with government.
Clark announced on Tuesday that the city deals project would be extended to further cities and invited potential participants to submit proposals.
He said: “”We are turning the established order on its head and cities must come to Whitehall not as supplicants, as in the past, but as equal participants in an open and constructive deal making process.”
“Right now our cities face serious challenges, but what isn’t in doubt is their huge potential to drive economic growth. The key to unlocking that potential is a new deal for cities. Giving cities the powers, control over resources, and funding they need to fire on all cylinders and attract the private sector investment needed to rebalance the economy.”
The cities deals follow the Regional Growth Fund and Enterprise Zones, with their agenda of “local economies … in the driving seat,” said the Department of Communities and Local Government.
