Parliament Opens Call for Evidence on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

The House of Commons has launched a call for evidence on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, inviting written submissions ahead of detailed scrutiny in Public Bill Committee. This represents an important opportunity for place managers and civic leaders to shape one of the most significant pieces of legislation for local governance in a generation.

The Bill, which passed its Second Reading on 2 September 2025, is now scheduled for line-by-line scrutiny in Public Bill Committee, with evidence sessions beginning on 16 September. The Committee is expected to report by 12 November 2025. Among its wide-ranging reforms, the Bill introduces a statutory duty for local authorities to establish effective neighbourhood governance (Clause 58). This provision could be transformative for place management, embedding local leadership and decision-making closer to communities.

  • Other provisions in the Bill include:

    • A new Community Right to Buy to help local groups protect sporting community assets. We are discussing this with our partners in the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport
    • Reintroduction of the supplementary vote system for mayoral elections
    • Creation of a Local Audit Office to improve financial transparency
    • Stronger mayoral powers to support regeneration and growth

The Institute of Place Management has previously highlighted the importance of Clause 58, noting that while the duty has potential to strengthen neighbourhood-level leadership, its success will depend on adequate resources, professional capacity, and clear accountability.

This is a rare chance to ensure the practical needs of communities, councils, and place leaders are reflected in national legislation. The Bill could reshape how places are governed, funded, and revitalised, but only if the voices of those managing high streets, town centres, and neighbourhoods are included in the debate.

Written evidence can be submitted directly to the Public Bill Committee via the UK Parliament website. Evidence should be concise and focus on how the Bill will impact local leadership, governance, and community empowerment.

Call for evidence

IPM is preparing a response to the Public Bill Committee and we want to ensure it reflects the experience and priorities of our members and wider network. We invite you to share your views on the Bill, with a particular focus on Clause 58 and its implications for place management. You can contact IPM via ipm@mmu.ac.uk with your input. 

This latest call for evidence forms part of IPM’s wider engagement on devolution and place governance. It builds on the work we have been doing throughout the year, including:

  • A series of IPM webinars on devolution and place-partnerships throughout the year available in our members area.
  • Dr Nikos Ntounis working with IPM members on an article on place policy for the Journal of Place Management and Development.
  • A series of IPM articles and blogs by IPM members on devolution and place governance, available on our website.
  • Hosting a workshop on devolution at the Regional Studies Association conference in November and collaborating with RSA for a joint-webinar looking at other examples across the world of devolution.

Together, these activities have informed our discussions with policy makers and MPs as we aim to IPM at the forefront of debates on devolution, place leadership, and local governance.

IPM

About the author

IPM

Formed in 2006, the Institute of Place Management is the international professional body that supports people committed to developing, managing and making places better.

Back to top