Leader seeks answers from Government over South Midlands Devolution decision
23 October 2026
The Leader of West Northamptonshire Council has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Devolution Minister seeking full transparency over the Government’s intention to pursue a Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Strategic Authority rather than the alternative South Midlands proposal.
Councillor Mark Arnull has formally responded as Leader of the Council to Jim McMahon MP, Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, who yesterday stated he was minded to rule out a South Midlands arrangement involving West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire, instead opting to pursue a Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) model.
And with next week’s Autumn Budget expected to focus on the Government’s future plans for devolution, Cllr Arnull has also formally written to Chancellor John Healey seeking clarity on what decisions around future funding allocations have already been made and how these might impact West Northamptonshire.
Alongside challenging the basis of the Government’s stance in both letters, Cllr Arnull has submitted Freedom of Information requests to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Treasury, seeking the release of correspondence, briefing papers, ministerial submissions, meeting records and other documents which informed the Government's position.
Speaking after today’s England Economic Heartland meeting, that was attended by the respective Council leaders of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and North Northamptonshire, Cllr Arnull said: “The Government talks constantly about devolving power out of Whitehall, yet when local areas put forward different proposals, Ministers have simply chosen one and seek to impose it from the centre."
“What is particularly disappointing is that the rejection of the South Midlands proposal has not resulted in consensus around BLMK. There is no clear regional consensus for that model either, as both Bedford and Central Bedfordshire have indicated to me their preference is for a larger geography.
“The South Midlands region of six local authority areas is a genuine and credible economic geography with strong transport links, shared labour markets and common growth opportunities. Our residents are entitled to know why that case was set aside and on what evidence Ministers concluded another arrangement was preferable.
“I have therefore written directly to Jim McMahon and the Chancellor and submitted Freedom of Information requests to Government departments seeking the documents, advice, correspondence and assessments that informed this position.
“If Ministers are serious about devolution, they should be prepared to explain their decisions openly and transparently. If there was no consensus for South Midlands, they should explain why they believe there is consensus for BLMK. So far, they have not done so.”