STORY
The Local Government Association has welcomed the Government’s announcement of new fiscal and spending powers for mayors. The organisation said greater financial devolution could give local areas more control over investment and public services.
LGA chair Councillor Eamonn O’Brien described the announcement as a positive step towards the greater fiscal devolution sought by councils. The association said locally controlled funding can allow decisions to reflect regional economic conditions and community priorities.
The LGA said it would examine the detailed arrangements, including how revenues are calculated and how non-mayoral areas are treated. It also called for councils and combined authorities to be involved in designing the new system.