Making Devolution Work
Event Information
Description
Making Devolution Work: towards a better economic, democratic and social future?
NB. This event is now fully booked. If you would like to go on the waiting list in the event that further places are available, please e mail Lucy Brill (lucy.brill@mbs.ac.uk).
With the General Election result likely to prompt further powers and responsibilities to devolved nations, cities and to local government, this is a ‘devolution moment’. Our aim is to explore this ‘moment’ and consider whether and how devolution can herald a better economic, social and democratic future?
After years of centralization, we must make devolution work. But hopes and promises are not outcomes, especially in Britain where previous major policy changes have ended in disappointment And devolution is too narrowly framed if it becomes a way of boosting economic growth so that questions of social and democratic renewal are secondary. Can devolution, more broadly, be a means to diverse ends including a ‘rebalanced’ economy, fewer inequalities, more public goods and services, and a revitalized democracy.
Under the aegis of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Manchester, this day of discussion is jointly organised by a leading think-do tank the Centre for Local Economic Strategies and by academic researchers in the Centre for Research on Socio- Cultural Change. Their aim is to break down the silos and sponsor a new conversation between academic researchers, local government, business and civil society groups.
The organisers will draw on their networks to recruit a range of speakers and participants who will through workshops, discussion and presentations interact and address a series of questions about the devolution we have and what we need to do to make devolution work for all:
- How did we get to this devolution moment and what are the future trajectories of devolved nations, city regions and other districts?
- Can devolution address our multiple and worsening inequalities in economy and society and build inclusion and cohesion, creating more inclusive economies?
- What does devolution mean for the welfare state and does devolution offer better public goods and services?
- Can devolved decision making engage citizens and reduce the democratic deficit in our polity? and/or empower new regional elites?
- What happens to the UK central state, its tax base and the increasingly challenged regional redistribution it presides over?
- What new frames of governance and government do we need to promote learning processes of local experiment which break with narrow definitions of public reform?
- What lessons can we learn from Europe, where devolution has long been the norm not the exception?
Programme
9.30 Arrivals /Coffee
9.45 Introduction (Neil McInroy, Centre for Local Economic Strategies & Karel Williams, Centre for Research on Socio-cultural Change)
10.00 Keynote: Why we need devolution and the problems with what’s on offer (John Tomaney, University College London)
10.30 Panel discussion: Defining the current challenges
- Economic policy/regeneration/addressing inequality (Calvin Jones, Cardiff Business School)
- Public services reform (Donna Hall, CEO Wigan MBC)
- Dealing with the democratic deficit (Simon Parker, New Local Government Network)
- Constitutional challenges (Mick Moran, Manchester Business School)
11.30 Break / coffee
11.45 Break out sessions: Debating the challenges
- Economic policy/regeneration/addressing inequality (Tim Jenkins, nef)
- Public services reform (Jessica Bowles, Manchester City Council)
- Dealing with the democratic deficit (David Fernandez-Arias, Citizen in support of Greater Manchester Referendum Campaign)
- Constitutional challenges (Alexandra Runswick, Democracy Unlocked)
12.45 Lunch
13.30 Perspective: What can we learn from Scotland & Italy? (Carol Craig, author and journalist, with Angelo Salento, University of Lecce, Puglia), followed by Q & A
14:00 Workshops: Learning from experience
- Preston: Progressive Procurement – Derek Whyte, Assistant Chief Executive, Preston Council & Neil McInroy, Centre for Local Economic Strategies
- Fairness Commissions/Greater Manchester Poverty Action Group - Mike Cribbe & Ruth Lupton, Manchester University
- Health Inequalities – Paul Johnstone, Regional Director, Public Health England & Ian Rees Jones, University of Cardiff
- Co-operative Councils – Vicky Sugars, Oldham Council & Paul Dennett, Salford City Council
- Alternative Economic Policies - Mark Burton, Steady State & Karen Leach, Localise West Midlands
15.00 Break
15:05 Question Time with panel: (Ed Cox, ippr North; Steven Pleasant, GMCA; Francesca Gains, Manchester University; Elaine Bowker, Liverpool college)
16:10 Close
This event is free and refreshments will be provided, but please register to reserve a place. Maximum two spaces per organisation - please contact organiser to request additional places.