Call for transport authorities to take the "driving seat" as councils mull Northern Powerhouse future

Local leaders and not Whitehall must decide how connectivity is improved a think-tank has urged as local authorities consider the next steps for the 'Northern Powerhouse'.

ResPublica says that with Whitehall "paralysed" over how to leave the European Union, this is an opportunity for local areas to "no longer have to justify their priorities to Whitehall" and "instead get on with making the investments they judge to be most needed". The intervention was made as North of England authorities consider the next steps for devolution programme which was the former Chancellor George Osborne's baby.

Cumbria County Council's transport secretary Keith Little tells local newspaper The News and Star today that he is cautious over some of the ideas, such as setting up an arm's length body to bid for rail franchises, which would mean extra liabilities, he said. And a key sticking point in the negotiations, for him, was how much additional funding will follow. But he was confident that devolution would not grind to a halt following the departure from the scene of Osborne, and that the local authorities could reach agreement - with Cumbria and other non-urban authorities able to block-vote so they are not out-numbered.

A spokesperson adds: “There is still a significant amount of detail that needs to be worked through, including the detailed operational arrangements and voting system which, as currently proposed, could disadvantage Cumbria when compared to large urban areas in the north.

“In the autumn the council’s Cabinet expects to consider the draft legislation from Government, at that time they will make a final decision about the Council’s future involvement in Transport for the North."