Devolution Bill Debates Focus On Scrutiny And Accountability

Peers have continued detailed discussions on the Government’s English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, with recent debates focusing on how new powers will work in practice, and who will hold them to account.

A clear theme running through the debates is that while the Bill sets out new structures for devolving power, there are still questions about how local communities will be heard and how decisions will be scrutinised.

One area of focus has been the role of mayoral commissioners. Changes agreed earlier in the week mean that commissioners can work across broad policy areas or focus on specific parts of them and that more than one commissioner can be appointed in the same area. This gives flexibility, but some peers questioned how clearly these roles will reflect local priorities and how they will be held to account.

A large part of the debate centred on accountability. Several peers argued that where more power is handed down, there must be strong local scrutiny to match.

Lord Bichard argued during the debate:

“Accountability can be local, should be local and can be done more effectively if it is.”

There were calls for stronger scrutiny committees, more opportunities for elected members to question mayors, and clearer ways for the public to have their say. However, the Government pushed back on making these requirements mandatory, saying the system should avoid adding extra layers of complexity and burden.

Ministers said the proposed approach would still provide assurance, with new scrutiny arrangements and opportunities for local engagement, including the ability for residents to petition committees to examine issues of concern. However, wider public engagement such as regular public question sessions will not be required and will instead be left to local areas to decide.

Alongside this, there have been renewed calls to ensure the Bill properly reflects the needs of rural communities. The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has supported amendments to strengthen the Bill’s rural dimension, including proposals to introduce “rural affairs” as a formal area of responsibility, enable the appointment of rural affairs commissioners, and place a duty on authorities to consider rural needs in decision-making.

However, these proposals were not taken forward at this stage of the Bill, leaving ongoing questions about how the new arrangements will reflect the distinct needs of rural areas.

Votes held on 26 March showed mixed outcomes. Several amendments were agreed, including some where the Government was defeated, while others were either rejected or not taken forward following debate.

The Report Stage was adjourned following these debates and will resume after the Easter recess, with further opportunities for amendments and scrutiny.

Read the full debate transcripts here and here