Devolution in the central South
The development of a strategy for the central South, sponsored by Barker Mill Estates is a key component of our work. There is a need to persuade government that our region is critical for the entire UK but has challenges of its own. The Southern Policy Centre provides analysis and support to local authorities to help them plan for the right devolved powers. We also work with businesses, the third sector and citizen-led initiatives which means working with everyone in the region to get the powers that suit our needs. Our work on regional strategy and collaboration has aimed to highlight the potential gains from the development of a strong regional narrative which can provide the basis for practical cooperation between local authorities and other organisations. More than ever, regions and localities will need a strong sense of place and purpose; they will need a clear and distinctive vision and ambitions.
Devolution in the central South publications and blogs
Lord Jim O’Neill’s speech to Devolution South conference
Lord Jim O’Neill’s speech to Devolution South conference ‘Devo South: Getting Back on Track’ conference In November 2017 Lord Jim O’Neill was the keynote speaker at the Southern Policy Centre’s ‘Devo South: Getting Back on Track’ conference. His speech to delegates can be seen here: The full transcript of […]
Devo South: Getting back on track
Devo South: Getting back on track This report records the issues and ideas discussed at the Southern Policy Centre’s Devo South conference and suggests how matters might be moved forward. Download a copy of the report here
Devolution in central Southern England: British Academy Round Table
Devolution in central Southern England: British Academy Round Table In March 2017 as part of a series of events across the country organised by the British Academy as part of the Governing England programme, a discussion at Winchester Cathedral visitor centre took place just a week after the new Isle […]
What do Hampshire businesses want from local government?
What do Hampshire businesses want from local government? Hampshire businesses have had their say in what they want to see from local government and from any devolution deal done with central government: Hampshire businesses want to see a single, simple to engage with local authority, with a more ‘can-do’ approach […]
Tainting a good idea
Tainting a good idea Combined authorities in the balance It may be Budget day before we learn whether any part of central southern England will reach agreement with the government on a ‘devolution deal’. But the chaotic process of recent months may have damaged the credibility of what is, at […]
Assembly South report
Assembly South report Introduction Assembly South was part of an important new experiment in how to organise democracy effectively. It consisted of a group of 23 citizens and 6 councillors from the Solent and Isle of Wight area who met in Southampton over two weekends in October and November 2015 […]
Year One at the Southern Policy Centre
Why a southern think tank? We were launched in 2014 by Greg Clark and Lord Adonis to provide public policy focus for central southern England: the area from Dorset to West Sussex, and the Isle of Wight up to Oxfordshire. The region faces challenges distinct from both London and other […]
Perspectives on Devo-South
1. The bids so far and mapping out our challenges Our most recent research report for Business South looked at the challenges and opportunities in central southern England – incorporating some great maps from OS – and analysed the bids so far as well as the government’s own proposals. This assessment […]
Devo-South: a report on devolution and business
Devo-South: a report on devolution and business What are the challenges facing southern England, how can devolution empower local leadership to tackle them, and what do business leaders make of the opportunities offered by the government’s decentralisation agenda? Download the full report here BUSINESS is backing the idea of devolution […]
Citizens Assembly: opening up devolution in the south
Solent citizens debate plans for Hampshire devolution, in UK’s first ‘Citizens’ Assembly’ But residents want devolution process to be opened up to the public The Southern Policy Centre helped to organise the first assembly of ordinary residents in southern England to discuss devolution in their area. The assembly pilot was concurrent […]
Southern Powerhouse: lessons to learn from Manchester
Southern Powerhouse: lessons to learn from Manchester Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, joined the Southern Policy Centre and the Winchester Business School to discuss Manchester’s experience of devolution so far (‘Devo-Manc’). The day was kindly supported by PwC. Here are five important lessons that those building devolution […]
Why not a ‘Southern Powerhouse’? Presentation at Business South
We’ve all heard about plans to give new powers to local authorities in Greater Manchester and other major metropolitan areas in northern England. George Osborne has set out his vision of a ‘northern powerhouse’ but there is real potential for this region too. On the 3rd July John Denham, Chair of […]
Greg Clark, devolution, challenges and opportunities
Greg Clark, devolution, challenges and opportunities This blog piece was originally published on the 24th June on the Platform 10 campaigning blog. Although Platform 10 aligns itself with the Conservative Party, the Southern Policy Centre is non-party political. Greg Clark has engineered a powerful decentralising bill that will provide the […]
Launch of the Southern Policy Centre
Southern Policy Centre launches with BBC coverage and ministerial backing The Southern Policy Centre was launched at a major regional conference today. Keynote speakers included the Rt Hon Greg Clark, Minister for Cities, and Lord Andrew Adonis the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure. We were delighted to welcome speakers from the […]