Devolution offers a unique opportunity for councils to put humans at the heart of decision making. The Devolution drive encourages the move away from central government to local councils who can better analyse the unique challenges in their communities. Ultimately, it’s about redesigning our structures from the ground up, enabling councils to forge a new path and deliver more effective, responsive services that are shaped by the very people they serve.
Senior Consultant, Tor Welch explains how this localised approach ensures that residents have a genuine voice.
1. What does "devolution" mean to you personally?
Devolution means making decisions where they matter most in communities, not in Whitehall. For me, it’s about empowering local people and councils to shape services around real lives, not national silos.
2. Can you think of a local issue or service that could be improved through more local decision-making?
Adult social care is a great example. When housing, health and community services are joined up locally, people get better, more seamless support. That’s much harder to achieve when decisions are made from the centre.
3. What do you think communities gain when decisions are made locally instead of centrally?
They gain a real voice. Local accountability means residents can see their priorities reflected in decisions about their area from protecting green spaces to supporting vulnerable people.
4. How do you think devolution will change the way we work with our clients?
It means helping councils redesign structures so they’re ready to deliver more powers locally from integrated services to stronger governance. Our work is about turning the ambition of devolution into practical delivery.
5. What opportunities does devolution create for innovation in our projects?
It creates the chance to build services around people and places. That unlocks innovation from digital health and care solutions to new ways of engaging residents in local decision-making.
6. What excites you most about the chance to bring decisions closer to people and communities?
Seeing government feel relevant again. When decisions are local, people can connect the dots between what they say, what councils decide, and what gets delivered. That’s powerful.
7. How do you see our consultancy helping to shape a successful devolved future?
By designing the structures and services that make devolution work. Our experience with Test Valley shows how place-based models and strong local accountability can create councils that are ready for the powers of the future.