Councils will meet to discuss devolution proposals

Councillors will meet to decide whether to proceed with plans to create a new regional governmental body.

West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council are considering joining four other local authorities to form a strategic body across the South Midlands.

This so-called combined authority would not replace the existing councils, but would support them to work on issues including transport and housing.

The councils, which are both Conservative-controlled, are due to meet for their separate meetings on Thursday, where they will vote on whether to be part of the government's national Devolution Priority Programme.

Ten combined authorities have already been set up across England, including one for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

In some cases, a regionally-elected mayor heads up the body.

West Northants council said joining the scheme would "provide it with a stronger say and more significant role in regional investment and decision making".

North Northants council has also recommended that its members back the proposal and a spokesperson said not engaging at this stage "could result in the council losing an opportunity to realise potential opportunities to deliver better outcomes for residents and businesses".

They added: "It may also lead to government mandating change without the same ability of the council to influence proposals."

Adam Brown, the Conservative leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said a devolution deal "could leverage in hundreds of millions of pounds of further investment".

If all the South Midlands councils vote ahead with the plan, it would be presented to central government and a public consultation would take place.

North Northamptonshire councillors will meet for their extraordinary council meeting at the Corby Cube, while West Northamptonshire members will meet at The Guildhall in Northampton.

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