Simon Kaye
@stkaye.bsky.social
Policy Director for @re-state.bsky.social. PhD from King's Political Economy. Localism, democracy, institutions, government. Ostrom stan.
3️⃣...2️⃣...1️⃣ WEEK LEFT...
Really looking forward to chairing this.
Strategic Authorities are important new players in the vital work of public service reform, with projects like OPSI at Liverpool City Region fostering real innovation.
Join us for the discussion in Liverpool on Monday!
Really looking forward to chairing this.
Strategic Authorities are important new players in the vital work of public service reform, with projects like OPSI at Liverpool City Region fostering real innovation.
Join us for the discussion in Liverpool on Monday!
September 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
3️⃣...2️⃣...1️⃣ WEEK LEFT...
Really looking forward to chairing this.
Strategic Authorities are important new players in the vital work of public service reform, with projects like OPSI at Liverpool City Region fostering real innovation.
Join us for the discussion in Liverpool on Monday!
Really looking forward to chairing this.
Strategic Authorities are important new players in the vital work of public service reform, with projects like OPSI at Liverpool City Region fostering real innovation.
Join us for the discussion in Liverpool on Monday!
On Friday I wrote, contra Janan Ganesh and @samfr.bsky.social, why the 'Broken Britain' narrative is (basically) legitimate - and represents a hail mary opportunity for policymakers to develop radical ideas equal to the moment.
re-state.co.uk/review/revie...
(And sign up to our newsletter!)
re-state.co.uk/review/revie...
(And sign up to our newsletter!)
August 4, 2025 at 1:02 PM
On Friday I wrote, contra Janan Ganesh and @samfr.bsky.social, why the 'Broken Britain' narrative is (basically) legitimate - and represents a hail mary opportunity for policymakers to develop radical ideas equal to the moment.
re-state.co.uk/review/revie...
(And sign up to our newsletter!)
re-state.co.uk/review/revie...
(And sign up to our newsletter!)
15/ We believe hyperlocal governance should be:
✅ Universal — every place should have it.
✅ Capable — the right scale and professionalism.
✅ Empowered — with the tools and mandate to act.
✅ Universal — every place should have it.
✅ Capable — the right scale and professionalism.
✅ Empowered — with the tools and mandate to act.
April 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
15/ We believe hyperlocal governance should be:
✅ Universal — every place should have it.
✅ Capable — the right scale and professionalism.
✅ Empowered — with the tools and mandate to act.
✅ Universal — every place should have it.
✅ Capable — the right scale and professionalism.
✅ Empowered — with the tools and mandate to act.
13/ Together, these new Neighbourhood Councils would be legally empowered, professionally staffed, and able to draw down council tax precepts and unlock funding to play a bigger part in local decision-making and public services.
April 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
13/ Together, these new Neighbourhood Councils would be legally empowered, professionally staffed, and able to draw down council tax precepts and unlock funding to play a bigger part in local decision-making and public services.
7/ 'Local, Actually' proposes a way to establish a universal, capable, and empowered layer of hyperlocal government in every part of the country.
At the heart of the report are Neighbourhood Councils (NCs) and Combined Neighbourhood Councils (CNCs).
At the heart of the report are Neighbourhood Councils (NCs) and Combined Neighbourhood Councils (CNCs).
April 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
7/ 'Local, Actually' proposes a way to establish a universal, capable, and empowered layer of hyperlocal government in every part of the country.
At the heart of the report are Neighbourhood Councils (NCs) and Combined Neighbourhood Councils (CNCs).
At the heart of the report are Neighbourhood Councils (NCs) and Combined Neighbourhood Councils (CNCs).
1/ 📍 Who speaks up for your neighbourhood?
In most of England, the answer is... no one. 64% of people live in places with no hyperlocal government at all.
Meanwhile, parish and town councils - where they do exist - vary wildly in scale, capacity, and effectiveness.
In most of England, the answer is... no one. 64% of people live in places with no hyperlocal government at all.
Meanwhile, parish and town councils - where they do exist - vary wildly in scale, capacity, and effectiveness.
April 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
1/ 📍 Who speaks up for your neighbourhood?
In most of England, the answer is... no one. 64% of people live in places with no hyperlocal government at all.
Meanwhile, parish and town councils - where they do exist - vary wildly in scale, capacity, and effectiveness.
In most of England, the answer is... no one. 64% of people live in places with no hyperlocal government at all.
Meanwhile, parish and town councils - where they do exist - vary wildly in scale, capacity, and effectiveness.
Chuffed to be in today's issue of The Municipal Journal, writing about local government reorganisation... and why the only thing that will make it worthwhile is full-scale devolution.
We want "a system built from the neighbourhood up to take on power and use it well."
themj.co.uk/latest_issues
We want "a system built from the neighbourhood up to take on power and use it well."
themj.co.uk/latest_issues
March 6, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Chuffed to be in today's issue of The Municipal Journal, writing about local government reorganisation... and why the only thing that will make it worthwhile is full-scale devolution.
We want "a system built from the neighbourhood up to take on power and use it well."
themj.co.uk/latest_issues
We want "a system built from the neighbourhood up to take on power and use it well."
themj.co.uk/latest_issues
Zero new builds approved by committees in Islington and Havering.
£4m per *day* going into temporary housing across the city.
Affordable home build approval halved since 2022.
£4m per *day* going into temporary housing across the city.
Affordable home build approval halved since 2022.
February 28, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Zero new builds approved by committees in Islington and Havering.
£4m per *day* going into temporary housing across the city.
Affordable home build approval halved since 2022.
£4m per *day* going into temporary housing across the city.
Affordable home build approval halved since 2022.
15/ We are going to explore the specifics of doing all of this in two follow-up papers.
The process would see the centre defining larger pan-regional geographies, using these as a way to deepen service coterminosity and partnerships between SAs, before instituting full-scale provinces.
The process would see the centre defining larger pan-regional geographies, using these as a way to deepen service coterminosity and partnerships between SAs, before instituting full-scale provinces.
February 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM
15/ We are going to explore the specifics of doing all of this in two follow-up papers.
The process would see the centre defining larger pan-regional geographies, using these as a way to deepen service coterminosity and partnerships between SAs, before instituting full-scale provinces.
The process would see the centre defining larger pan-regional geographies, using these as a way to deepen service coterminosity and partnerships between SAs, before instituting full-scale provinces.
14/ Without larger regions, many of these new Strategic Authorities will still lack the scale to function as truly regional government. Some will be barely bigger than a county council—too small to hold meaningful power over economic development and public services.
February 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM
14/ Without larger regions, many of these new Strategic Authorities will still lack the scale to function as truly regional government. Some will be barely bigger than a county council—too small to hold meaningful power over economic development and public services.
11/ Doing all of this will be hard. And, crucially, it will mean treating different places in different ways - an important thing to sustain as the 'deal making' model comes to its (welcome) end.
England has (at least) two kinds of regional economy, and they need different governance models:
England has (at least) two kinds of regional economy, and they need different governance models:
February 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM
11/ Doing all of this will be hard. And, crucially, it will mean treating different places in different ways - an important thing to sustain as the 'deal making' model comes to its (welcome) end.
England has (at least) two kinds of regional economy, and they need different governance models:
England has (at least) two kinds of regional economy, and they need different governance models:
1/ Today is a big day for @reformthinktank.bsky.social
publishes my essay on 'Rebooting Regionalism'.
It sets out the case for very large 'provinces' for parts of England, with directly elected Governors.
It's also a think-piece about the fundamental differences from place to place in England.
publishes my essay on 'Rebooting Regionalism'.
It sets out the case for very large 'provinces' for parts of England, with directly elected Governors.
It's also a think-piece about the fundamental differences from place to place in England.
February 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM
1/ Today is a big day for @reformthinktank.bsky.social
publishes my essay on 'Rebooting Regionalism'.
It sets out the case for very large 'provinces' for parts of England, with directly elected Governors.
It's also a think-piece about the fundamental differences from place to place in England.
publishes my essay on 'Rebooting Regionalism'.
It sets out the case for very large 'provinces' for parts of England, with directly elected Governors.
It's also a think-piece about the fundamental differences from place to place in England.
9/ We are told that any resemblance to either Oflog or (gasp!) the old Audit Commission... is purely coincidental.
In our work, we found that there really wasn't much appetite for the return of anything like the Audit Commission. Instead, a different breed of coordinating system leader is needed.
In our work, we found that there really wasn't much appetite for the return of anything like the Audit Commission. Instead, a different breed of coordinating system leader is needed.
December 18, 2024 at 2:23 PM
9/ We are told that any resemblance to either Oflog or (gasp!) the old Audit Commission... is purely coincidental.
In our work, we found that there really wasn't much appetite for the return of anything like the Audit Commission. Instead, a different breed of coordinating system leader is needed.
In our work, we found that there really wasn't much appetite for the return of anything like the Audit Commission. Instead, a different breed of coordinating system leader is needed.
8/ The consultation around the plans they publish today should be very interesting.
They revolve around the establishment of a new statutory Local Audit Office (LAO).
They revolve around the establishment of a new statutory Local Audit Office (LAO).
December 18, 2024 at 2:23 PM
8/ The consultation around the plans they publish today should be very interesting.
They revolve around the establishment of a new statutory Local Audit Office (LAO).
They revolve around the establishment of a new statutory Local Audit Office (LAO).
1/ It's just not Christmas until we've been inundated with vitally important last minute local gov announcements!
On the heels of Monday's English Devo White Paper, today we have the draft financial settlement for next year, AND a note on local audit reform.
Quick thoughts ⬇️
On the heels of Monday's English Devo White Paper, today we have the draft financial settlement for next year, AND a note on local audit reform.
Quick thoughts ⬇️
December 18, 2024 at 2:23 PM
1/ It's just not Christmas until we've been inundated with vitally important last minute local gov announcements!
On the heels of Monday's English Devo White Paper, today we have the draft financial settlement for next year, AND a note on local audit reform.
Quick thoughts ⬇️
On the heels of Monday's English Devo White Paper, today we have the draft financial settlement for next year, AND a note on local audit reform.
Quick thoughts ⬇️
1/ Happy English Devolution White Paper Day, to all those who celebrate.
It'll be dropping this afternoon - can't wait to analyse!
Over the weekend I responded to what's been trailed so far and it's made its way into the local press (here it is in the
@standard.co.uk.web.brid.gy).
It'll be dropping this afternoon - can't wait to analyse!
Over the weekend I responded to what's been trailed so far and it's made its way into the local press (here it is in the
@standard.co.uk.web.brid.gy).
December 16, 2024 at 11:55 AM
1/ Happy English Devolution White Paper Day, to all those who celebrate.
It'll be dropping this afternoon - can't wait to analyse!
Over the weekend I responded to what's been trailed so far and it's made its way into the local press (here it is in the
@standard.co.uk.web.brid.gy).
It'll be dropping this afternoon - can't wait to analyse!
Over the weekend I responded to what's been trailed so far and it's made its way into the local press (here it is in the
@standard.co.uk.web.brid.gy).
We're so proud to be benefiting from Barry Quirk's insight in our Local State programme.
Someone - I will save their blushes - once described Barry as "the Jürgen Klopp of local government" and... yep, that sums it up!
Here he is on the financial situation facing local government.
Someone - I will save their blushes - once described Barry as "the Jürgen Klopp of local government" and... yep, that sums it up!
Here he is on the financial situation facing local government.
December 11, 2024 at 11:26 AM
We're so proud to be benefiting from Barry Quirk's insight in our Local State programme.
Someone - I will save their blushes - once described Barry as "the Jürgen Klopp of local government" and... yep, that sums it up!
Here he is on the financial situation facing local government.
Someone - I will save their blushes - once described Barry as "the Jürgen Klopp of local government" and... yep, that sums it up!
Here he is on the financial situation facing local government.
4/ 1️⃣ Unsustainable service demand
Services like adult social care, children’s services, and homelessness support are financially unmanageable. Councils are stuck in a reactive cycle, addressing crises instead of investing in prevention or innovation.
Services like adult social care, children’s services, and homelessness support are financially unmanageable. Councils are stuck in a reactive cycle, addressing crises instead of investing in prevention or innovation.
December 10, 2024 at 10:17 AM
4/ 1️⃣ Unsustainable service demand
Services like adult social care, children’s services, and homelessness support are financially unmanageable. Councils are stuck in a reactive cycle, addressing crises instead of investing in prevention or innovation.
Services like adult social care, children’s services, and homelessness support are financially unmanageable. Councils are stuck in a reactive cycle, addressing crises instead of investing in prevention or innovation.
2/ By 2026-27, councils could face a £9.6 billion funding shortfall.
Earlier this year, only 14 out of 317 councils expected to be able balance their own books.
In some places, borrowing-to-income ratios are out of control.
Earlier this year, only 14 out of 317 councils expected to be able balance their own books.
In some places, borrowing-to-income ratios are out of control.
December 10, 2024 at 10:17 AM
2/ By 2026-27, councils could face a £9.6 billion funding shortfall.
Earlier this year, only 14 out of 317 councils expected to be able balance their own books.
In some places, borrowing-to-income ratios are out of control.
Earlier this year, only 14 out of 317 councils expected to be able balance their own books.
In some places, borrowing-to-income ratios are out of control.
1/ 🚨 Chuffed to publish this today! Quick thread - -
Huge service demands, chronic underfunding, and inadequate fiscal autonomy has created a local gov financial crisis that threatens essential public services.
This govt has big plans for devolution. None of it will work if local gov is drowning.
Huge service demands, chronic underfunding, and inadequate fiscal autonomy has created a local gov financial crisis that threatens essential public services.
This govt has big plans for devolution. None of it will work if local gov is drowning.
December 10, 2024 at 10:17 AM
1/ 🚨 Chuffed to publish this today! Quick thread - -
Huge service demands, chronic underfunding, and inadequate fiscal autonomy has created a local gov financial crisis that threatens essential public services.
This govt has big plans for devolution. None of it will work if local gov is drowning.
Huge service demands, chronic underfunding, and inadequate fiscal autonomy has created a local gov financial crisis that threatens essential public services.
This govt has big plans for devolution. None of it will work if local gov is drowning.
Action will also be required to manage the scope-creep in audit requirements, to make them more transparent, and to begin to shift the workforce constraints - all issues reported to us over the course of our expert and practitioner interviews.
December 2, 2024 at 9:30 AM
Action will also be required to manage the scope-creep in audit requirements, to make them more transparent, and to begin to shift the workforce constraints - all issues reported to us over the course of our expert and practitioner interviews.
So we're a bit stuck, in policy terms. We clearly need a trusted system leader to keep things moving. But there's absolutely no appetite for a reboot of the Audit Commission approach.
Similarly: we need faster audits. But we also need them to be extremely high-quality.
Similarly: we need faster audits. But we also need them to be extremely high-quality.
December 2, 2024 at 9:30 AM
So we're a bit stuck, in policy terms. We clearly need a trusted system leader to keep things moving. But there's absolutely no appetite for a reboot of the Audit Commission approach.
Similarly: we need faster audits. But we also need them to be extremely high-quality.
Similarly: we need faster audits. But we also need them to be extremely high-quality.
...many of which are now in a state of decay.
Local audit is a massive example. For the first time *ever*, the Whole of Government Accounts couldn't be signed off by the National Audit Office this year. Why? Because there simply wasn't enough reliable, audited data from local gov.
Local audit is a massive example. For the first time *ever*, the Whole of Government Accounts couldn't be signed off by the National Audit Office this year. Why? Because there simply wasn't enough reliable, audited data from local gov.
December 2, 2024 at 9:30 AM
...many of which are now in a state of decay.
Local audit is a massive example. For the first time *ever*, the Whole of Government Accounts couldn't be signed off by the National Audit Office this year. Why? Because there simply wasn't enough reliable, audited data from local gov.
Local audit is a massive example. For the first time *ever*, the Whole of Government Accounts couldn't be signed off by the National Audit Office this year. Why? Because there simply wasn't enough reliable, audited data from local gov.
Pic of the day taken by @charliepickles.bsky.social
November 25, 2024 at 7:18 PM
Pic of the day taken by @charliepickles.bsky.social