Andy Burnham has highlighted the lack of accountability in England's devolution process, criticizing the current state as both overly powerful and disconnected from local communities. His proposals to enhance the powers of mayors come with the challenge of addressing diminished scrutiny over local government activities, particularly following the abolition of the Audit Commission in 2015.
While Burnham's government aims to empower local authorities by appointing local accounting officers and sharing income tax revenues, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on establishing robust accountability mechanisms. The decline of local media further complicates the landscape, as many regions lack dedicated news outlets to hold officials accountable.
Watch for Burnham's proposals to reshape local governance, especially the establishment of local accounting officers and income tax sharing. The effectiveness of these changes hinges on restoring accountability mechanisms, particularly in areas lacking local media oversight.