What Does Devolution Mean for Council Tenants?
Friday 11th of April 2025
What Does Devolution Mean for Council Tenants?
You may have heard about the UK Government’s plans to devolve more power to local areas. But what does that actually mean — and more importantly, what could it mean for you as a council tenant?
The Government’s proposals, set out in the English Devolution White Paper, represent a big shift in how decisions are made locally. While the headlines are about “streamlining” and “local empowerment,” there are real implications for housing, especially council housing. Here’s a quick rundown of what we know so far.
New Mayors, New Powers
By 2026, six more areas — including Cumbria, Norfolk & Suffolk, and Greater Essex — will be electing mayors for the first time. These mayors will have greater control over things like housing, transport, and economic development.
One major change is that these mayors will take on responsibility for developing Spatial Development Strategies. That means they’ll set the direction for where new homes go, what kind of homes are built, and how infrastructure supports growth. They’ll also be able to “call in” planning applications — effectively overriding local decisions.
Housing funding, too, is shifting. Homes England — the national housing agency — will be working more closely with regional leaders to decide how and where money gets spent.
A Reshuffle of Local Councils
Another part of the plan is the move toward unitary councils. In areas that currently have two tiers of local government (district and county councils), the aim is to merge them into single-tier authorities. This is meant to simplify structures, cut down on red tape, and improve accountability.
But this could also change how retained council housing is managed and maintained — and possibly how services are delivered to tenants.
What About Tenants’ Rights?
This is the big question — and one that still doesn’t have clear answers. At the moment, there’s very little detail about how council tenants will be involved or consulted as these changes take place.
With new decision-makers at regional levels, and possible changes to how local services are run, it’s vital that tenant voices aren’t lost in the process.
We’re Keeping Watch
While the idea of devolving power sounds positive in theory, the reality for council tenants will depend on how these changes are managed — and whether tenant rights and voices are protected along the way.
At Tpas, we’ll be keeping a close eye on developments. As more detail emerges, we’ll continue to update you and make sure the tenant perspective is heard where it matters.