It’s time to start preparing for the devolution revolution

We are now just under a year from the UK’s ‘devolution revolution’. Come May 2026, six new areas will join the government’s ‘Devolution Priority Programme’, bringing 15.38% of the UK’s population under mayoral devolution.

The ambition is clear: the government hopes that these new autonomous regions will be better placed to fast-track growth opportunities and deliver transport, housing and infrastructure for local communities. However, realising that ambition is easier said than done. The success of these programmes will depend on the seamless transfer of data and assets between well-established authorities – and herein lies the problem.

The extensive property portfolios held by local governments are significant financial assets and will be vital instruments for achieving the devolved policy objectives. Yet, there is a lack of detailed, accessible real estate data on these publicly owned assets, and a lack of confidence that the existing data on property portfolios is accurate. If this issue is not addressed, this data disorganisation will ultimately undermine the potential benefits of devolution and hinder effective local governance.

Strategic assets

Local authorities in England are major landowners, controlling a diverse range of properties that are integral to local economies and communities. These assets are often under intense financial pressure due to constrained capital and revenue budgets, requiring councils to maximise their use or consider disposal to reduce costs. The Localism Act 2011 and subsequent policies have sought to empower communities by enabling mechanisms that facilitate the transfer of publicly owned land and buildings to local community groups, often at less than market value, to promote social, economic and environmental well-being

This transfer of property management and ownership is set to play a continuing part in English devolution, but its success will depend heavily on the availability of comprehensive real estate data about the nature, condition and potential uses of council-owned assets. Without accurate data, local authorities cannot effectively identify under-utilised or surplus properties, assess their strategic value or engage meaningful asset transfers.

Data deficiency and strategic planning

The English Devolution White Paper and related government frameworks emphasise the role of strategic authorities and mayoral combined authorities in producing local growth plans and spatial development strategies that integrate housing, regeneration and infrastructure planning. These plans require detailed knowledge of publicly owned land and buildings to set realistic housing targets, prioritise regeneration sites and coordinate infrastructure investment.

A lack of real estate data on council-owned properties impairs these functions in several ways. For example, without detailed data on the location, condition and ownership status of public assets, strategic authorities may overlook key sites suitable for housing development or economic regeneration. This can lead to missed opportunities to deliver affordable housing or repurpose under-utilised assets for community benefit.

What’s more, councils under financial strain need to optimise their property portfolios, and data gaps hinder their ability to identify surplus or underperforming assets for disposal or transfer, resulting in prolonged vacancies or inefficient maintenance costs that drain public resources.

Ownership and accountability

Ownership intersects with accountability under devolution. Mayors and strategic authorities are tasked with delivering growth and regeneration outcomes, and their stewardship of public assets is a visible measure of their effectiveness. Transparent, data-driven management of council-owned land and buildings allows for informed public scrutiny and supports trust in devolved institutions.

When real estate data is incomplete or inaccessible, this can reduce transparency and provoke mistrust, especially if assets are perceived as being under-used or sold without adequate local consultation. This is particularly salient given the Localism Act’s provisions designed to protect community interests in publicly owned assets. Effective data management is crucial for fulfilling the goals of English devolution

To fully realise the transformative potential of English devolution, local authorities must develop robust data sets that provide comprehensive, up-to-date information on their property portfolios. This will enable evidence-based decision-making, facilitate community asset transfers and underpin transparent governance, ensuring that publicly owned land and buildings become active enablers of local growth, social inclusion and democratic accountability.