10-07-2025
Following publication today of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) welcomed it as important step towards greater devolution but called for reform alongside reorganisation.
Responding to the Bill, CIPFA CEO Owen Mapley said:
“The publication of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is a welcome and important step on the road towards greater devolution.
“In particular, CIPFA is excited about the role that strategic authorities and mayors might play in a more devolved system of governance and accountability.
“The changes ushered in by the Bill will be a significant undertaking for the sector. It’s important not to lose sight of the need to reform the local government system, not just redraw local authority boundaries.
“We also welcome the establishment of the Local Audit Office, which the Bill will create, and are committed to working with government to reform the broken local audit system.”
Notes to editors
- The Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill received its First Reading today.
- The Bill is available on parliament.uk
- For further comment or interviews, please contact the CIPFA Press Office at press@cipfa.org.