Four Mayoral Strategic Authorities secure established status

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 creates a three-tier devolution framework, with the highest tier being the Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (“EMSA”). This status is awarded to authorities who have a proven record of good governance, financial management and delivery. These latest  round of promotions demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to transferring decision-making powers to local communities.

Which Mayoral Strategic Authorities have been promoted to Established Mayoral Strategic Authority status?

The Cabinet Office announced on 31 July 2026 that four Mayoral Strategic Authorities are to be promoted to EMSA status. These are:

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
• East Midlands Combined County Authority
• West of England Combined Authority
• York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

These authorities join the growing group of strategic authorities who have proven that they can be entrusted with the highest level of devolved powers and funds available under the new framework.

What benefits come with Established Mayoral Strategic Authority status?

Being at the top tier of the devolution framework, EMSAs benefit from additional powers and funds.

This includes significant public funds, including multi-year allocations through the Integrated Settlement, but also an allocation from the National Housing Delivery Fund, the Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund and the ability to “help set the strategic direction” of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme in their local area.

Furthermore, beginning in 2028, EMSAs will be able to access a share of local income tax and will benefit from a business rates retention scheme, although the details of the scheme are yet to be clarified.

Perhaps the most significant additional power available to EMSAs is the ‘right to request’ and found at Section 53 of the 2026 Act . This allows EMSAs to request new functions from Central Government.  On receipt of a proposal from a qualifying Mayor, the government is placed under a legal duty to consider and respond to the request. EMSAs are therefore afforded an increased ability to shape the future of devolution.

EMSAs are also given an enhanced role in housing delivery and strategic planning. In particular they have a more prominent role in influencing the delivery of affordable housing provision and in the delivery of national housing programmes.

Authorities which attain EMSA status also gain greater control over transport and over the provision of employment and skills support. For example, in most cases, Government approval over regionally-funded transport projects worth up to £500 million will no longer be required.

What does EMSA status mean in practice?

A central objective of the 2026 Act is that decisions should be taken at the most appropriate local level. As more authorities attain EMSA status, local leaders will have a greater ability to tailor their plans to the specific needs and opportunities of their communities, rather than relying on nationally designed approaches which take a ‘one-size fits all’ approach.

For businesses, EMSA status is likely to create a more stable environment for investment decisions. Enhanced powers over housing, transport and economic development allow authorities to align local priorities more closely with regional growth strategies, potentially leading to accelerated delivery of projects.

EMSA status is contingent on maintaining high standards of good governance. It is possible to go down a tier, should there be failings around the exercise of powers or issues around how public money is administered.

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How can a Mayoral Strategic Authority obtain EMSA status?

To secure Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) status, a Mayoral Strategic Authority must submit a formal proposal to the Government, have been in existence with a directly elected mayor for at least 18 months, have met specific criteria and be able to demonstrate a strong track record of delivery and performance.

When submitting their proposal, the Mayor must annex its published Local Assurance Framework and should also submit evidence that they have complied with key programmes agreed with the government, such as those in relation to transport and housing.

This evidence should also demonstrate that the authority has displayed strong performance across the following eligibility areas

• financial and cost management
• delivery management
• resource management
• risk management
• good governance practices
• achievement of set objectives

In addition, the Strategic Authority must not be subject to any significant external review/intervention or ongoing recommendations from external reviews and there must be no material accounting concerns.

The assessment is intended to ensure that only authorities with mature governance arrangements and proven ability to deliver are granted access to the additional powers and financial freedoms granted by attaining EMSA status.

Conclusion

The approval of four additional Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities marks a further step in the government’s wider devolution plans and in particular, its expressed intention for every part of England to be covered by a strategic authority. EMSA designation is therefore becoming an increasingly important benchmark to measure maturity and delivery capability of the ever-increasing number of authorities.

The “right to request” also indicates that attaining EMSA status should not necessarily be viewed as the end point of devolution. Instead, this mechanism allows those designated authorities to continue to seek further powers and shape the future direction of local governance.

Authorities aspiring towards EMSA status will need to focus on not only ambitious growth but also on how it is delivering projects, including its governance, financial and resource management, and accountability. Authorities which can demonstrate these characteristics will be afforded greater power and autonomy to influence their region’s future.

Ward Hadaway provides market leading legal advice on issues relating to public funding, including Subsidy Control, grant funding agreements and good governance. Our lawyers have experience of advising upon major projects delivered by Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities, Central Government Departments and local authorities.  Please do get in touch if we can be of assistance.