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Council of the Nations and Regions

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 25 March 2025UIN 38619

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, if she will make it her policy to allow a representative from foundation strategic authorities that will not have a Mayor to have a seat on the Council of Nations and Regions.

Answered by Jim McMahon

As set out in its Terms of Reference, membership of the Council of the Nations and Regions consists of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, the Mayor of London, the Mayors of Combined Authorities, and the Mayors of Combined County Authorities. The English Devolution White Paper sets out that a representative at the Council of Nations and Regions is reserved for those areas with a Mayoral or Established Mayoral Strategic Authority. The government will consider proposals for future devolution agreements against the criteria set out in the White Paper, and new mayors established through this process will be eligible to attend the Council of the Nations and Regions.

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