Mersey Maritime Head of Policy & Innovation, Simon Eardley, writes:
Six months into the term of the new Government, the immediate run up to the Christmas 2024 break has seen the release of two significant policy announcements, both of which may have implications for the maritime industry. These have focused on the future National Planning Policy Framework (a ‘snappy subject’ if ever there was one!) and important proposals for devolution settlements across England in what is arguably one of the biggest attempts to further ‘shake up’ local and regional government since the 1970s. Radical organisational change is envisaged across much of England where there aren’t existing devolution settlements, and expansion of powers and responsibilities where there are. Read on to find out a little more about both of these major announcements emanating from Westminster.
Planning policy
The maritime industry at a national level has long placed on record its desire to see planning policy reform which might benefit the sector, most particularly around port and portside infrastructure. Way back at London International Shipping Week in 2021, I was involved with the formulation of a national ‘Coastal Powerhouse Manifesto’ which was launched to a packed out fringe event focused on the power and strength of our regional economies which are reliant – or have a significant dependence – on the blue economy. Three pillars were at the heart of that document, many of which were fully aligned with Mersey Maritime’s ongoing ambitions and aspirations both then and since:
- Delivering net zero and nature recovery in coastal areas
- Levelling up and job creation around all the UK’s coast
- Strengthening the UK’s main gateways for trade
Planning reform was a key element of this overall focus with a call for a fresh look at planning and development rules as a means to offer opportunities to boost investment and jobs on a wider basis. Areas to explore included a better framework for ‘Local Development Orders’ and the scope of ‘Empty Buildings Relief’. Both these policies were not intended to bring about a development ‘free for all’ but would still prioritise appropriate accountability around decision making. Changes to what constitutes ‘permitted development’, such as thresholds for projects and an examination of how environmental designations fit within any pro-investment agenda that government (at all levels) and industry seeks to create, were recommended.
The headline grab in the Government’s latest announcement around revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework relates primarily to the introduction of binding targets which will require councils to build 370,000 homes annually. This is an attempt to address England’s housing crisis as Ministers aim to fulfil their ambitious pledge to construct some 1.5 million homes over the course of the parliament. For the first time, the concept of a ‘grey belt’ will also be introduced for land use prioritisation. However, the broad principle enshrined in the framework mandates the prioritisation of brownfield sites for development ‘first’ as well as so-called low quality green belt land. These proposals are not without controversy and collaboration will be the key as local authorities wrestle with the practical implications of what meeting such robust targets for new development might mean going forward.
A key take-away from these announcements would appear to be a willingness of government to introduce pragmatic simplifications where they can to speed up planning processes to reduce bureaucracy where possible and enable further, sustainable, growth to be embedded in the heart of policy which has so often been a stumbling block to progress in the past. At the heart of the government response sits a theme of making it easier to build the vital infrastructure such as roads, railways, broadband connections and laboratories needed for a modern economy to thrive and at the same time supporting green energy and the environment.
Devolution
The Government announced the publication of the English Devolution White Paper on 16th December 2024. This significant document emphasises the importance of giving local leaders and communities the tools they need to deliver growth for their area and raise living standards in every part of the country; central themes of the new administration since their election in July 2024. A desire to utilise fully the ‘raw ingredients for success’ in every corner of our nation: skilled workforces, competitive industries and a brilliant capacity for innovation, may sound like lofty rhetoric but if realised, has the potential to deliver meaningful and exciting change – including in our own Liverpool City Region.
A desire to end the cycle of not maximising these ingredients of success will see a permanent shift of power away from Whitehall and into the hands of those who know their communities best, as has been seen in the LCR and other places where devolution settlements have been in place for a number of years. Efficient and accountable local and regional government, with local champions who understand their local places, their identities and strengths, and how to harness them, is the driving aim. The White Paper sets out how this will be achieved.
Some significant changes have already been announced, such as in the Autumn 2024 Budget around an ‘Integrated Settlement to fund local priorities’. The Liverpool City Region will be one of six regions to receive a consolidated budget across housing, regeneration, local growth, local transport, skills, retrofit, and employment support. Whilst Mayors across England in receipt of government funding already have plans to deliver for their place, this government funding comes with conditions, reporting requirements, forms to fill in and boxes to tick. Mayors have to slalom between pots of money to deliver the answer they already know is right. The Integrated Settlement will change that.
Other announcements of note include around a strong desire to strengthen local innovation ecosystems – this will be news to our Mersey Maritime ears! Not least as we embark on our Navigating Maritime Innovation in the LCR project and we become more and more embedded in the strong Liverpool City Region local network of public and private institutions focused on R&D, innovation, and promotion of idea / knowledge sharing. This is rightly understood to be one of the factors which sets highly productive local economies apart. The Government want to support more local leaders, working in partnership with businesses and universities, to unlock regional innovation potential – ensuring everyone benefits from innovation-led growth. Positive news!
Read more around the Devolution White Paper here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-devolution-white-paper-power-and-partnership-foundations-for-growth/english-devolution-white-paper#executive-summary
Mersey Maritime will continue to monitor and report on significant policy developments such as these as and when they emerge. If members have particular subjects they would like to see addressed or considered, please get in touch.
