Call for Swinney to embrace 'Manchester model for Scotland' without radical council overhaul
The Scottish government has been warned regional government models can be achieved without a radical overhaul of local councils.
Two public policy experts have teamed up to call on John Swinney to create a “Manchester model” for Scotland - warning that regional devolution can take place without a radical overhaul to local government.
The appeal from Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and Iain Anderson, chair of the John Smith Centre, comes after the First Minster set out his plans to allow local authorities to merge.
The proposed reforms form part of the SNP government’s blueprint to reform Scotland’s public sector, alongside reducing the 14 mainland health boards into two west and east bodies.
Unveiling his plans for local government, Mr Swinney stressed that the changes “must not create another layer of administration or a new group of politicians.”
READ MORE: The case for Manchesterism in Scotland
The FM argued that the shake-up must result in “stronger and more strategic regions with the powers, the permission, and the flexibility they need to drive economic growth and investment”.
He added: “I am open to devolving powers over a broad range of economic levers to these stronger, more strategic regions, including, where relevant, new powers devolved to Scotland from the UK.”
The SNP government is not in favour of regional mayors, a system in place in parts of England. Prime Minister Burnham has vowed to replicate his strategy for Greater Manchester south of the Border, referred to as ‘Manchesterism’.
Writing for The Scotsman, Sir Anton and Mr Anderson have argued that action is needed to “address the issue of fragmented governance and visible leadership” across Scotland.
They added: “‘Manchesterism’ is a new phrase, but the success which Greater Manchester has had was built on two decades of collaboration, both within the city region, and with a willingness to look to external linkages in the area of innovation and the industrial strategy.
“Leadership is not only about external visibility, but also the ability to co-ordinate city region actions. This also enables collaboration between regions. Scotland can look to create similar collaboration models to go faster.”
The pair has stressed that “none of this necessarily involves major local authority reform”, warning that “would take time when we need to move at speed to empower devolution”.
They added: “Regional Economic Partnerships (REPs), which are existing collaborations in Scotland between between local authorities, the private sector, education and skills providers, could be given some statutory powers by agreement with the constituent local authorities.
“The programme for government, announced by the First Minister this week, confirmed this direction of travel and a desire for greater strategic purpose in REPs.”
Sir Anton and Mr Anderson have suggested that “the cabinets for these REPs could be chaired, as appropriate by visible local leadership”, adding that “depending on the specific region that could be an elected local authority leader or a civic or business leader”.
They added: “In terms of democratic accountability, this person, with the appropriate title, and the REP cabinet will be accountable to the constituent local authorities.
“The key is that our regions are able to act at speed to pursue opportunities for growth linked to the industrial strategy.”
Mr Swinney has suggested that due to Scotland’s size, “some priorities are best delivered at a national level and, because of our diversity, others at a regional or more local level”.
He added: “Getting the balance right between national, regional and local is essential to enable us to deliver more responsive and more effective government that meets the needs of our people and our communities.”
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