Devolution

As the government forges ahead with its devolution agenda in England, West Midlands Fire Service will move under the combined authority mayor meaning the demise of West Midlands Fire Authority which has been dogged by controversy since death of fire chief Wayne Brown in January 2024.

Days after the announcement that police and crime commissioners will be scrapped from 2028, the chair of the national PCC body said that the decision ‘risks chaos,’ criticising the lack of consultation.

The Policing Minister, Sarah Jones MP, told Parliament that Police and Crime Commissioners will be abolished in 2028 as she announced the first part of upcoming police reform.

The Deputy Prime Minister has announced a package of new measures to extend devolution to more areas of England that could see the role and responsibilities of six Police and Crime Commissioners move under regional Mayors that look set to be elected in 2026.