Hand councils bus subsidies, and give us strategic roads role, local government urges

The LGA says all areas should benefit from powers over buses ministers are dangling

The LGA says all areas should benefit from powers over buses ministers are dangling

The Local Government Association is calling on the Government to not stop at devolution for cities but to offer all areas greater powers over buses and roads.

The LGA, speaking ahead of the Queen's Speech which is expected to include a Cities Devolution Bill to give greater transport and other powers to metropolitan areas, said that areas outside non-metropolitan England are responsible for 56% of national output and have potential to deliver greater growth.

In a 'white paper' for devolution, they urge a menu of powers for all places: devolving all bus subsidies, including Bus Service Operators Grant, to councils, and giving them the option to franchise services; and co-producing plans for strategic roads with Highways England, are two options. The association argues that "places need to have the agility to make investment and policy decisions to promote growth".

Radical reform which better channels available funds to suit local circumstances could save up to £21bn in public funds and promote an additional £80bn in economic growth according to modelling by Ernst & Young, the LGA said. Cllr David Sparks, chair of the LGA, said: "The evidence is overwhelming. Devolution within England is the most effective way to create jobs and strengthen healthy communities."