Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Buckinghamshire Council: Devolution Proposals

Monday 16 November 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Greg Smith asked the Minister about the assessment of Buckinghamshire Council's devolution proposals.
  • Rob Butler praised the place-based nature of the proposals and urged the Minister's officials to engage with the council.
  • Greg Smith requested a meeting between the Minister, Buckinghamshire MPs, and the Council to discuss the proposal further.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Scotland Local Government
Context

The MP inquires about the assessment of devolution proposals submitted by Buckinghamshire Council, which has received £32 million in additional covid funding.

Question

What assessment he has made of the proposals on devolution from Buckinghamshire Council. He notes that the council has worked tirelessly during the pandemic and seeks to understand the government's evaluation of these proposals.

Answer from Luke Hall

We are committed to levelling up through further devolution, but our focus must be on tackling covid-19. The council has worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic and received £32 million in additional funding. We intend to bring forward the devolution and local recovery White Paper detailing how the UK Government will partner with places across the country for a sustainable economic recovery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific assessment of Buckinghamshire Council's proposals was not provided, instead focusing on general commitments to levelling up and tackling covid-19.

How: We Are Committed To Levelling Up Through Further Devolution

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Q2 Rob Butler
Local Government
Context

The MP acknowledges the Minister's answer and highlights that the council's proposal has support from various local stakeholders. He asks for engagement between officials and the council.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer, and I join him in his praise for Buckinghamshire Council. The proposal has all the potential ingredients for success because it is place-based with support from multiple partners. Will he urge his officials to engage in conversations with the council as soon as possible?

Answer from Luke Hall

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. I was pleased to meet colleagues from Buckinghamshire recently, and we are grateful for the council's proposal submission. My officials are looking at it closely, and we will set out details about our approach in the White Paper. Officials should indeed engage as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to a specific timeline or mechanism for engagement with Buckinghamshire Council's proposal.

How: We Are Extremely Grateful, I Know My Officials Are Looking At It Closely

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Q3 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Scotland Local Government
Context

The MP acknowledges the Minister's previous praise for Buckinghamshire Council's efforts during the pandemic. He requests a meeting to further discuss the devolution proposal that aims to inject £10 billion into the UK economy.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answers and especially for praising Buckinghamshire Council throughout the pandemic. The focus must be on recovery from covid-19, which is at the heart of the council's devolution proposals. Therefore, will my hon. Friend agree to meet the Buckinghamshire MPs, Council and partners to look at this proposal in detail?

Answer from Luke Hall

I thank my hon. Friend. I met him recently to discuss matters, and I would be delighted to have that meeting. Officials should meet to discuss the proposal, and then we can get together with the council very soon to take it further.

Answered
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