Jonathan Marwood, partner at Hartnell Taylor Cook, discusses the devolution of powers to local authorities and the importance of data to the process
Devolution in the UK is well underway, with the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill currently at the committee stage in the Commons, and the Devolution Priority Programme, set to conclude in May 2026, expected to bring the total population living under devolved authorities to over 44 million, or nearly 70% of the population.
The government’s goal is to strengthen regional growth and autonomy by empowering local authorities to take a more active and greater role in their respective regions. To achieve this, strategic authorities are established and mayors are elected to negotiate and implement devolution deals. Central to these deals are the issues of infrastructure, regeneration, and economic development.
Underpinning the success of this scheme is robust local authority data. Without proper access to this quality data on real estate assets in the region, newly devolved authorities will struggle to meet the core objectives of English Devolution. If good local authority data isn’t available, decisions will lack strategic precision and risk, which could ultimately have a knock-on effect on the ability to plan, deliver, and develop as effectively as possible.
Local authority data crucial in driving decision-making
Driving local economic growth is a major purpose of devolved authorities. To achieve this, devolved authorities will need to be in the best possible position to make effective use of their unique assets and ensure that they are targeting specific areas of local concern.
However, to identify strategic sites for development, assess the state of the property market, and plan infrastructure investments, accurate and comprehensive data must be readily available. Local authority data isn’t just useful for building a full picture of a region; it’s instrumental in developing a plan for its future that ultimately addresses competing demands for space. Data paints a picture.
Housing is at the heart of many devolution agreements, and making headway here is also reliant on there being adequate local authority data available. When a devolved authority sets its housing targets within its spatial development strategy, it must base these targets on accurate data. Existing housing conditions, demographic trends and land availability are all crucial factors in deciding how housing targets should be implemented. If the quality of the data is poor, there’s a wider margin for error and failure – a successful strategy, derived from incomplete data, is not impossible, just notably more difficult.
After all, a lack of data will make it more difficult for local authorities to assess the scale and type of housing required. It would also make monitoring progress against any set targets a bit more challenging, too. This, of course, could have implications for broader regeneration efforts.
Furthermore, a lack of local authority data could also hinder attempts to integrate housing with transport and social infrastructure. It is also possible that incomplete information will make it that bit harder – though not impossible, of course – for investors to make decisions on infrastructure projects. Taken as a whole, this could have implications for the ability of devolved authorities to fit local plans to local needs.
Undermined democratic ideals
Of course, devolution is intended to help mayors and local authorities improve services, regenerate areas, and drive growth. Without access to quality local authority data, it will be challenging not only for authorities to measure their progress, but also for constituents to receive a transparent and complete picture.
To ensure that devolution lives up to its stated aims, it is clear that evaluating and organising local authority data will be necessary. It is fundamental to the functioning of English devolution and forms the foundation of the devolved authorities’ ability to set and meet targets, maintain democratic accountability, and drive forward economic development.
Collecting and integrating local authority data while also making it accessible and transparent must be a priority for all involved in English devolution – whether they be policymakers or practitioners. The positive change that devolution heralds, such as greater regional autonomy, economic dynamism, and social equity, needs top-quality data to be fully realised.
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