Five Governance Considerations When Forming a New Mayoral Strategic Authority or Combined Authority

The establishment of new Mayoral Strategic Authorities and Combined Authorities represents one of the most significant developments in English devolution. While much attention is often focused on geography, powers, funding, and political leadership, governance arrangements will ultimately determine whether the new organisation is able to make decisions efficiently and deliver meaningful outcomes for residents.

Good governance should enable delivery, not become a barrier to it. Organisations that invest time in designing practical governance arrangements from the outset are more likely to build effective partnerships, maintain momentum, and avoid unnecessary delays. As authorities across England consider new devolution arrangements, there are five governance considerations that deserve particular attention.

1. Create Structures That Support Decision-Making

Governance exists to facilitate decisions, not to delay them. New authorities should establish clear pathways for decision-making, escalation, and accountability from the beginning.

Unclear approval routes, overlapping responsibilities, or excessive committee structures can quickly slow progress and create frustration among partners. Effective governance provides clarity on who decides, when decisions are made, and how disagreements are resolved. The objective should always be to enable timely, informed, and transparent decisions that keep programmes moving forward.

2. Build Strong Partnership Arrangements

A Combined Authority or Mayoral Strategic Authority brings together organisations with different priorities, histories, and operating cultures. Governance arrangements must therefore support genuine partnership working rather than simply formal compliance.

Successful authorities create opportunities for constructive challenge, collective problem-solving, and shared ownership of outcomes. Governance frameworks should encourage collaboration between political leaders, senior officers, delivery teams, and external stakeholders while maintaining clear accountability for decisions.

3. Design Governance That Works Across Political Boundaries

Political diversity is a reality within many devolved areas. Different administrations may have varying priorities, local pressures, and political perspectives.

Governance arrangements should be robust enough to withstand political change and flexible enough to support constructive discussion where views differ. The most effective structures focus on shared strategic outcomes, transparent decision-making, and evidence-based discussions. This helps maintain momentum and continuity even when political priorities evolve over time.

4. Avoid Duplication and Governance Overload

One of the most common risks in new organisations is the creation of multiple layers of governance that replicate existing arrangements.

Individual councils and constituent authorities already operate within established governance frameworks. Adding unnecessary committees, reporting requirements, or approval stages can increase administrative burden without improving oversight.

The best governance models complement existing arrangements rather than duplicate them. They focus on adding value, providing strategic coordination, and ensuring accountability while avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.

5. Balance Assurance with Agility

Strong governance provides assurance, manages risk, and protects public investment. However, excessive control can reduce flexibility and slow delivery.

Authorities should seek an appropriate balance between oversight and agility. Governance arrangements should provide sufficient scrutiny and transparency while still allowing programmes and projects to respond to changing circumstances. Achieving this balance helps organisations maintain pace without compromising accountability.

The success of any new Mayoral Strategic Authority or Combined Authority will depend as much on its governance arrangements as its powers or funding settlements. Effective governance encourages collaboration, supports robust decision-making, reduces duplication, and enables delivery.

When governance is designed well, it becomes largely invisible—providing the structure and confidence needed for leaders to focus on what matters most: improving outcomes for communities, businesses, and residents across the region.

My biggest piece of advice is

Keep it simple!