A new report by the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) City Growth Commission proposes policies for city planning and growth throughout the UK, strengthening powers for metropolitan areas.
The RSA writes:
Unleashing Metro Growth is the final report of the City Growth Commission, containing a full set of recommendations for national and local government. The report makes the case for, and explain how, cities can take a new role in our political economy, creating stronger, more inclusive and sustainable growth in the UK.
The report draws on interim reports which have focused on skills, infrastructure, fiscal devolution and the role of universities in driving metro growth.
Key recommendations outline a significant shift – from the centre to metros – in policy and finance, enabling metro leaders to:
- Coordinate resources across their city-region and make strategic policy and finance decisions via place-based budgeting and investment strategy.
- Make more informed and responsive decisions based on evaluation of local data and evidence.
- Develop effective ways of integrating public service reform and economic development.
- Have greater flexibility over their spending and borrowing
- arrangements, including:
- Multi-year finance settlements of between five and 10 years,
- Retention of a proportion of the tax proceeds of growth; and
- Freedom for the most devolved metros to set and fully retain a suite of taxes.
Furthermore, metros should be represented in national decision making, bringing forward measures to enhance connectivity and growth, including:
- A comprehensive review on how our current and future needs for digital infrastructure can be met; and,
- Accelerated connectivity between metros in the North, Midlands and other ‘super city-regions’.
