The Government is planning to set up a Mayoral Data Council as part of its plans for further devolution towards regional government in England.
The plan has been outlined in the new devolution white paper, published this week, as part of an effort to improve the quality of and make better use of data in the sector.
This is aimed at improving local services and helping the public to hold leaders to account.
The Mayoral Data Council will include senior data leaders from the regional combined authorities to provide input into central decision making on data issues that affect them.
“It will champion better data and better use of data, as well as improved data sharing,” the white paper says, adding that it will also look to collaborate with devolved governments where appropriate.
The priorities of the council will include refining and implementing the data partnership principles co-developed by the Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities. These provide for the legal, safe and secure sharing of data between the Government and relevant local and national bodies, and will support negotiations with individual departments over access to priority datasets.
Sharing and consultations
The authorities will also be encouraged to set up data sharing initiatives under the Digital Economy Act, and consulted on the development of cross-government services – such as the Data Marketplace and National Data Library – that enable easier data discovery and access.
Another measure will involve the Government working with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on a refresh of the sub-national data strategy, and on the latter’s local data and insight programme.
“Greater devolved powers need to go hand in hand with the necessary evidence and data – both to design and deliver efficient, effective, and equitable local services, and to help the public hold their leaders to account for delivering change,” the paper says.
On a broader front, it is aimed at accelerating the devolution of powers to regional level in England.
New way of governing
“If we are going to build an economy that works for everyone, we need nothing less than a completely new way of governing – a generational project of determined devolution,” Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner says in its foreword.
She adds: “To truly get growth in every corner of the country and put more money into people’s pockets, we must rewire England and end the hoarding in Whitehall by devolving power and money from central government to those with skin in the game.”
