Does the South East deserve Devo Max?
Author: Localis |
‘Does the South East deserve Devo Max?’
Copthorne Hotel, Birmingham, Monday 29th September, 18:00
Held in partnership with South East Strategic Leaders
Capturing the Scottish independence referendum zeitgeist, a full house was in attendance for a panel speaking event which debated the extent to which power should be devolved to local government in the South East of England, other parts of England and England more generally. With speakers:
· Rt Hon John Redwood MP, Former Secretary of State
· Bob Neill MP, Former Local Government Minister
· Cllr Mike Jones; Leader, Cheshire West & Chester Council
· Cllr Roy Perry, Leader, Hampshire County Council
The event was chaired by Cllr David Burbage MBE, Leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and Chairman of South East Strategic Leaders.
Some of the Twitter coverage of the debate, using #Localisdevo included:
· “At an interesting @Localis fringe on SE Devo with @RBWM Leader @davidburbage chairing #CPC14” (@TameenaHussain)
· “My Q to @Localis panel: On #devolution, how low can you go? Should #nationalgov & higher tiers of #localgov devolve to England’s 9,000 parish councils? #cpc14” (@JustinGriggs)
· “Roy Perry – yes; John Redwood – yes; Bob Neill – yes; Mike Jones – yes. #cpc14” (@JustinGriggs)
The event was covered by the LGC, who reported Bob Neill giving his backing to the localisation of property taxes:
“You could [make] a rapid start by devolving property tax,” he said. “I don’t want that to involve tax going up; I want it to involve tax going down.”
Click here to read more of LGC’s report.
More details about Localis’ 2014 fringe events can be found here.