English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill Launched

The Government introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to Parliament last week, describing it as a landmark step in its ambition to decentralise power and drive local growth across England.

The Bill delivers on a manifesto commitment to “devolve not dictate”, shifting decision-making powers away from Westminster and increasing the role of local leaders and communities in areas including housing, transport, economic development, neighbourhood governance and high street regeneration.

Among the proposed measures are:

• A new Community Right to Buy – giving communities the first opportunity to purchase local assets such as pubs, shops, and sports grounds, and extending the timeframe to raise funds.
• Banning of Upward Only Rent Reviews (UORR) – helping to ease pressure on small businesses and reduce high street vacancies.
• More powers for Mayors – including new planning and licensing tools and streamlined authority to deliver housing and infrastructure.
• Creation of Strategic Authorities – to improve coordination between councils on major issues like transport and regeneration.
• A Local Audit Office – to improve transparency and accountability in council spending.

Neighbourhood Governance

Of particular interest to rural and smaller communities will be the Bill’s proposals to introduce a new requirement on local authorities to establish effective neighbourhood governance.

The aim is to bring decisions closer to residents, improve service delivery through localised approaches, and ensure that governance structures reflect and respond to specific community needs. The Government has stated that it will consult widely with the sector before finalising regulations, with an emphasis on building on existing good practice.

Town and parish councils will continue to play a role in this landscape. However, the Bill makes clear that all principal local authorities will be expected to establish neighbourhood-level engagement models, regardless of whether town or parish councils already exist in those areas.

At this stage, full details of how neighbourhood governance will operate in practice are not yet available and will be shaped by future regulations. The RSN will be watching this closely as further detail emerges.

To support understanding of the Bill and what it could mean in practice, the Government has published the following accessible summaries:

A bill explainer setting out the key elements:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-devolution-and-community-empowerment-bill-guidance

Area factsheets explaining what it means for each existing Strategic Authority:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-devolution-area-factsheets

A Devolution Framework explainer- putting all the different powers and governance arrangements in one place:
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Devolution Framework Explainers - GOV.UK

Sector Responses

County Councils Network (CCN):
The CCN welcomed clarity around Strategic Authorities and praised the Bill as a step toward county-led growth, but highlighted the importance of ensuring counties retain influence and resources. Read the full CCN response here.

District Councils’ Network (DCN):
DCN expressed concern that the Bill’s emphasis on mayoral powers and strategic authorities risks sidelining existing local government structures. They called for further consideration of how all tiers of local government can work together effectively. Read the full DCN Response here.

Local Government Association (LGA):
The LGA welcomed the intent to deepen devolution and the focus on local decision-making, but emphasised the need for long-term sustainable funding and flexible local implementation. Read the full LGA statement here.

National Association of Local Councils (NALC):
NALC welcomed the inclusion of neighbourhood governance and the strengthened Community Right to Buy, while calling for further clarity on how town and parish councils will be supported within the new framework. Read the NALC briefing here.

We’d like to hear from you: If you have thoughts, concerns or examples of how these proposals may impact your rural area, please share your views with the RSN team. Your insights help shape our future engagement.