The leaders of London’s 32 boroughs including Councillor Peter Mason of Ealing Council have issued a united cross-party call for greater influence in the capital’s governance, urging the government to give them “a seat at the table” as part of a new devolution settlement.
In a joint statement from London Councils, which represents the capital’s local authorities, the boroughs argue that shared decision-making powers between themselves and the Mayor of London are essential for delivering faster results and building long-term resilience into the capital’s political structures.
Unlike combined authority areas such as Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, London boroughs currently have no formal role in decisions made by the Greater London Authority. With the capital’s devolution framework now 25 years old, borough leaders describe the forthcoming English Devolution Bill as a “golden opportunity” to modernise arrangements.
London Councils has proposed a “Combined Board” model. This would bring together the Mayor of London and the London Councils Executive Committee to jointly decide on devolved powers and funding – mirroring governance arrangements in other city regions.
Posting on X, leader of Ealing Council, Peter Mason said: “As the Govt design devolution across the country to operate on the basic premise that power sharing between powerful mayors & practical councils is a good thing, so too is it for London. This is the sensible, reasonable and straightforward next evolution of London government.”
Leaders of London boroughs argue that such a model would reflect London’s size and unique governance history, enabling faster, more effective decision-making and improving outcomes for residents. It would also deliver better value for money and ensure boroughs are not left behind in England’s evolving devolution landscape.
Without reform, they warn, London could become the only part of the country where local authority leaders are excluded from formal involvement in strategic regional decisions.
Councillor Claire Holland, chair of London Councils, said: “The prospect of more devolved powers and funding to the capital is an exciting one – but we must ensure London’s devolution settlement works as effectively and efficiently as possible. Giving boroughs a seat at the table and a proper say in regional decision-making will put us in a far stronger position to tackle the challenges we face as a city and drive growth in London.”
Councillor Holland added: “We have worked hard to build cross-party consensus across the 32 boroughs for a pragmatic solution that enables joint decision-making. We must seize this opportunity to hardwire collaboration between the Mayor and boroughs into our devolution deal so that we can all deliver better outcomes for Londoners.”
