Communities across England could soon have greater power to shape their neighbourhoods, protect cherished local assets and make streets safer, under new measures tabled as part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
The proposals mark the latest phase of the Government’s plan to shift decision‑making out of Westminster and place “the keys in the hands of local leaders”, enabling Mayors and communities to drive real change in the places they know best.
If approved by Parliament, the Bill will hand communities and local leaders new tools to directly address long‑standing concerns on their high streets. Key measures include:
- Powers to tackle the concentration of gambling premises, allowing communities to better manage the character of their town centres.
- Enforcement against dangerous pavement parking outside London – a longstanding concern for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and blind or partially sighted pedestrians.
- The measure extends powers already used by London boroughs across England, fulfilling commitments made in the 2020 pavement parking consultation and building on the Road Safety Strategy (January 2026).
The Bill will also double the Community Right to Buy listing period from five to ten years, giving local people far more time to save valued pubs, libraries, parks and other community assets for future generations.
Through the Government’s Pride in Place programme, now expanded to 284 neighbourhoods, communities will gain new opportunities to bring buildings and local spaces back into active use.
For the first time, Strategic Authorities will take on culture as a formal responsibility. Mayors will gain new powers to champion arts, culture and heritage, support creative industries, and celebrate what makes each place distinctive.
The Government says this will strengthen local identity and boost cultural participation, alongside wider regeneration efforts.
The new powers come on top of £150 million of fresh funding to revive high streets, support local pride and give towns, villages and cities the boost they need after years of decline. Combined with the Bill, Ministers say the package will give local people greater control over the changes that matter most.
As more powers are passed to regional Mayors, the Bill introduces stronger local democratic checks, including:
- New Local Scrutiny Committees to oversee how public money is spent
- The ability for Mayors to hire up to 10 commissioners to support strategic work in line with local priorities and pressures
These reforms are designed to ensure that increasing devolution comes hand‑in‑hand with transparency and high standards of governance.
The Bill also strengthens protections for passengers using taxis and private hire vehicles. Enforcement officers will be able to temporarily suspend out‑of‑area drivers or vehicles operating unsafely, and act immediately where licences issued by other authorities may pose a public risk.
These powers are intended to improve safety and public confidence across the country’s taxi and private hire system.
London boroughs will benefit from a faster, more direct route to central government funding. Ministers will be able to pay grants straight to a joint committee of all London borough leaders, cutting out delays and speeding up investment for key projects such as rough sleeping prevention and the rollout of electric vehicle infrastructure.
The measures build on the English Devolution White Paper (December 2024), which committed to shifting power from Westminster to local leaders and communities.
The Government says this new package will:
- help tackle geographic inequalities
- support regeneration of high‑potential towns and cities
- ensure communities have the resources and authority needed to drive long‑term change
Miatta Fahnbulleh, Minister for Devolution, said:
“Each region in England has its own unique history, culture and identity. It’s right that we recognise that, champion it, and provide the people in those communities with the powers they need to make the most of the places they call home.
“We’ve listened to what our regions want and need - and that’s why we are providing the powers that local leaders need, and the accountability local people deserve, to make a real difference at the heart of villages, towns and cities up and down the country.”
By empowering local leaders, Ministers argue these reforms will ensure more places across England can shape their futures and deliver safer streets, vibrant high streets, stronger culture and healthier communities.
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