Prepare for change. England’s network of local authorities is about to go through its biggest shake-up in a generation. So what will the change in how devolution works mean for coach and bus?
As a dynamic industry, we are used to adapting to a shifting environment. But this shake-up will require many of us to navigate new strategic authorities, and forge fresh relationships with newly empowered transport officers.
First, to summarise the change — which, like so many things in local democracy, isn’t simple. The English Devolution White Paper, published in December 2024, is intended to pave the way for decision-making on subjects such as buses to be devolved from Westminster to local bodies.
There is a recognition that the present patchwork of different councils doesn’t always function logically, and that funding isn’t earmarked in any single way – as the white paper puts it, mayors have to “slalom between different pots of money to deliver the answer they already know is right”.
The ultimate goal is to create universal coverage across the country of strategic authorities – which comprise multiple councils working together — although this first step will take the population covered up to 70% nationwide.
These will have enhanced power, and integrated funding settlements, allowing them to make meaningful decisions on local transport.
The strategic authorities will fall into three categories. The first are Foundation Strategic Authorities – these are combined local authorities and combined county councils that don’t have elected mayors, such as Cornwall, Devon and Torbay, Warwickshire, and Lancashire. After the shake-up, these will receive dedicated financial allocations from Whitehall, decided by formulae, with a lighter-touch investment sign-off.
It is important for all of us in the industry to recognise that advocacy for buses will need to be designed for local circumstances – Graham Vidler
The next category is Mayoral Strategic Authorities – the younger mayoralties, such as those in Lincolnshire, Hull and East Yorkshire, and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. These will be given consolidated funding pots covering transport, although the timing of this is unclear.
Finally, the most autonomous category is the Established Mayoral Authorities – including Manchester, Liverpool, West and South Yorkshire. They receive this designation once they have met specific eligibility criteria which unlocks further devolution. Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have already been granted “trailblazer deals” with a single financial settlement beginning in April this year.
For the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), it’s important that we continue to work at a national level, fighting our members’ corner on coach and bus policy – but we must also, more than ever, nuance those positions to fit local circumstances.
We have always, as an industry, been adept at getting our point across at every level. CPT’s team of regional managers work closely with coach and bus companies in engaging with mayors, new and old, on issues specific to towns and city regions.
With this reorganisation in mind, we will also be pressing ahead with toolkits — including research, resources, statistics and messaging — to help industry leaders and regional managers to negotiate with mayors and local leaders.
Further ahead, though, it is important for all of us in the industry to recognise that advocacy for buses will need to be designed for local circumstances, and that different strategies will be suitable in different parts of the country.
This shake-up, ultimately, could be a good thing for our industry. It will mean that coach and bus managers with on-the-ground knowledge, and a great understanding of local conditions, can work collaboratively with strategic authorities with genuine decision-making power and serious funding.
It will take time, though, for the new system to settle and bed in. CPT will be on hand to help members understand this changing environment, to speak up for our sector, and to build bridges with local politicians with new-found influence.
