Policy background Devolution
At the time of passing of this Act, there has already been devolution in the form of City Deals, Growth Deals and the more recent devolution agreements between the Government and Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Sheffield City Region, West Midlands, the North East, Tees Valley and Cornwall. The Government's first devolution agreement with Greater Manchester made on 3 November 2014 provided for an offer of powers and budgets from Government on the basis that Greater Manchester would deliver certain reforms and measures. Central to this agreement is a reformed governance system for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority which will involve adopting a model of a directly elected mayor covering the whole of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority area, and the combined authority receiving a number of new powers from local authorities, other local public services and devolved powers from government departments and agencies.
	In its manifesto the Government committed to devolve powers over budgets to boost local growth in England. The Government is ready to have conversations with any area about the powers that area wishes to be devolved to it and about their proposals for the governance to support these powers if devolved. The Government's intention is to conclude bespoke devolution deals with areas. Such deals may involve functions being conferred on county councils, district councils and combined authorities. This Act allows functions of public authorities to be conferred on county councils, district councils and combined authorities, including broadening the scope of powers that it is possible to confer on a combined authority.