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	<title>The Chamberlain Files &#187; #ThinkBirmingham</title>
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	<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com</link>
	<description>Politics, LEPs and economic development in the West Midlands</description>
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	<item>
		<title>Sheffield city region deal suggests Greater Birmingham needs metro mayor for devo max</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/sheffield-city-region-deal-suggests-greater-birmingham-needs-metro-mayor-for-devo-max/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/sheffield-city-region-deal-suggests-greater-birmingham-needs-metro-mayor-for-devo-max/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:30:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Black Country]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ed Miliband]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Osborne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sheffield]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sheffield city region]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solihull Council]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17971</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sheffield has become the second English city to strike a post-Scottish independence referendum devolution deal with the Government &#8211; and the terms of the agreement could provide a valuable lesson]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/sheffield-city-region-deal-suggests-greater-birmingham-needs-metro-mayor-for-devo-max/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Birmingham must give &#8216;power to the citizens&#8217; if devolution is to mean anything</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-must-give-power-to-the-citizens-if-devolution-is-to-mean-anything/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-must-give-power-to-the-citizens-if-devolution-is-to-mean-anything/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2014 08:58:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Clancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kerslake Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sir Bob Kerslake]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17671</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Backbench Labour councillor and serial leadership challenger John Clancy has submitted the following recommendations to the Kerslake Review into the city council’s governance arrangements, in which he explains how a]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-must-give-power-to-the-citizens-if-devolution-is-to-mean-anything/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>15</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Heathrow expansion will &#8216;threaten Midlands&#8217;, claims Birmingham Airport boss</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/heathrow-expansion-will-threaten-midlands-claims-birmingham-airport-boss/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/heathrow-expansion-will-threaten-midlands-claims-birmingham-airport-boss/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2014 14:37:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Airports Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham Airport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Davies Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gatwick Airport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HS2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[London Heathrow Airport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paul Kehoe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17582</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham Airport chief executive Paul Kehoe has extended his attack on the proposed expansion of Heathrow, claiming that a third runway for the capital would threaten growth in the Midlands.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/heathrow-expansion-will-threaten-midlands-claims-birmingham-airport-boss/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>If devolution&#8217;s good enough for Scotland, it&#8217;s good enough for England, say council leaders</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/if-devolutions-good-enough-for-scotland-its-good-enough-for-england-say-council-leaders/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/if-devolutions-good-enough-for-scotland-its-good-enough-for-england-say-council-leaders/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2014 16:30:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Cameron]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sir Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Lothian Question]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17545</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[English council leaders are stepping up the pressure on David Cameron to extend Scottish devolution to cities and regions south of the border. The leaders of 119 English councils, including]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/if-devolutions-good-enough-for-scotland-its-good-enough-for-england-say-council-leaders/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>&#8216;No elected mayor for Greater Birmingham, unless you want one&#8217;, says Balls</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/no-elected-mayor-for-greater-birmingham-unless-you-want-one-says-balls/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/no-elected-mayor-for-greater-birmingham-unless-you-want-one-says-balls/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2014 10:32:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Black Country]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ed Balls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Osborne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17487</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Labour Government would encourage Birmingham and the Black Country to work together as a combined authority but would never insist on a metro mayor for the region against local]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/no-elected-mayor-for-greater-birmingham-unless-you-want-one-says-balls/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The future is Intercommunality – but with whom?</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/the-future-is-intercommunality-but-with-whom/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/the-future-is-intercommunality-but-with-whom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2014 17:06:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Game]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Osborne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester Police]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Richard Leese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17449</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Following the announcement that Birmingham and the four Black Country councils would form a Combined Authority, Kevin Johnson suggested we need a “wider conversation” Mover and shaker that he is,]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/the-future-is-intercommunality-but-with-whom/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>City leaders issue &#8216;deliver devolution&#8217; demand to Hague</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/city-leaders-issue-deliver-devolution-demand-to-hague/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/city-leaders-issue-deliver-devolution-demand-to-hague/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:45:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Black Country]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[William Hague]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17397</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The leaders of Britain’s biggest cities met with William Hague today to demand that the Government delivers its promise to speedily devolve powers and budgets to the regions. The Core]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/city-leaders-issue-deliver-devolution-demand-to-hague/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>&#8216;You must have metro mayor to get devo-max&#8217; Osborne tells Greater Birmingham</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/you-must-have-metro-mayor-to-get-devo-max-osborne-tells-greater-birmingham/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/you-must-have-metro-mayor-to-get-devo-max-osborne-tells-greater-birmingham/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:14:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Osborne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17388</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Birmingham and Black Country combined authority must have a metro mayor in order to benefit from the type of devolution package given to Greater Manchester, the Chancellor has said.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/you-must-have-metro-mayor-to-get-devo-max-osborne-tells-greater-birmingham/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Devolved transport funding key to long-term economic growth, say city regions</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolved-transport-funding-key-to-long-term-economic-growth-say-city-regions/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolved-transport-funding-key-to-long-term-economic-growth-say-city-regions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2014 12:29:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Boris Johnson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Regions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Geoff Inskip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Howard Bernstein]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public transport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17382</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham has joined forces with other major English city regions to support new research which demonstrates how devolving transport funding could boost economic growth and create thousands of jobs. Leaders from Birmingham,]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolved-transport-funding-key-to-long-term-economic-growth-say-city-regions/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>We need a Combined Conversation</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/a-combined-conversation/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/a-combined-conversation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Nov 2014 08:30:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kevin Johnson]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Cities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17325</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A week is a long time in politics, so they say. Kevin Johnson reflects on developments following last week&#8217;s &#8216;historic&#8217; agreement and suggests we need a wider conversation.  There is]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/a-combined-conversation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>11</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Timeo Geekos et dona ferentes</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/timeo-geekos-et-dona-ferentes/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/timeo-geekos-et-dona-ferentes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:30:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kevin Johnson]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Cities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17238</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It has been a far from quiet week for those high minded folk whose main source of excitement is to muse on the organisation of local government (I think he]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/timeo-geekos-et-dona-ferentes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Birmingham-Black Country combined authority: &#8216;What happens next?&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-black-country-combined-authority-what-happens-next/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-black-country-combined-authority-what-happens-next/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2014 13:31:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Black Country]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solihull]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands (county)]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17247</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Agreement in principle has finally been reached, thanks to a powerful kick from Greater Manchester. George Osborne has been sent a letter outlining plans for a Birmingham and Black Country combined]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-black-country-combined-authority-what-happens-next/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Solihull sits on its hands as Birmingham-Black Country &#8216;economic powerhouse&#8217; takes off</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/solihull-sits-on-its-hands-as-birmingham-black-country-economic-powerhouse-takes-off/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/solihull-sits-on-its-hands-as-birmingham-black-country-economic-powerhouse-takes-off/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Nov 2014 10:20:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Black Country Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cllr Bob Sleigh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cllr Darren Cooper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Sparks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dudley Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sandwell Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sir Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solihull Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands combined authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wolverhampton City Council]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17197</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The announcement that the leaders of Birmingham and the four Black Country councils have agreed to accept the Government’s offer of  new powers and devolved resources by establishing a Combined]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/solihull-sits-on-its-hands-as-birmingham-black-country-economic-powerhouse-takes-off/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Why the mayor of Greater Birmingham could be a Tory</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-the-mayor-of-greater-birmingham-could-be-a-tory/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-the-mayor-of-greater-birmingham-could-be-a-tory/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2014 13:22:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[bob Sleigh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cllr Darren Cooper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greater birmingham and solihull LEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[metro mayors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sir Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands combined authority]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17177</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The possibility of a metro mayor leading a Greater Birmingham authority raises a tricky question: which political party would be in charge? Analysis by Chamberlain Files suggests the Conservatives could narrowly]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-the-mayor-of-greater-birmingham-could-be-a-tory/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why Greater Birmingham can&#8217;t afford to be left behind in the metro mayor race</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-greater-birmingham-cant-afford-to-be-left-behind-in-the-metro-mayor-race/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-greater-birmingham-cant-afford-to-be-left-behind-in-the-metro-mayor-race/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2014 11:09:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Osborne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sir Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Think Cities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17161</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Who would have thought it? Elected mayors are back on the local government agenda in a big way and this time, apparently, the idea has the support of the main]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-greater-birmingham-cant-afford-to-be-left-behind-in-the-metro-mayor-race/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>14</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Osborne puts Birmingham elected mayor back on the agenda</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/osborne-puts-birmingham-elected-mayor-back-on-the-agenda/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/osborne-puts-birmingham-elected-mayor-back-on-the-agenda/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:36:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Osborne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sir Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands combined authority]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17144</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[George Osborne has dropped the broadest hint yet that he believes Birmingham should be run by a directly elected mayor. The Chancellor said he intended to speak to city council]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/osborne-puts-birmingham-elected-mayor-back-on-the-agenda/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>17</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>London jumps on devolution bandwagon with &#8216;it&#8217;s tough down here&#8217; claim</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/london-jumps-on-devolution-bandwagon-with-its-tough-down-here-claim/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/london-jumps-on-devolution-bandwagon-with-its-tough-down-here-claim/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:48:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Boris Johnson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centre for London]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GLA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17134</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[London is fighting back in the great devolution debate by insisting that the capital must also benefit if English city regions are to be given additional powers and budgets, reports]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/london-jumps-on-devolution-bandwagon-with-its-tough-down-here-claim/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Manchester gets £22bn metro mayor, as Greater Birmingham combined authority talks continue</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/manchester-gets-22bn-metro-mayor-as-greater-birmingham-combined-authority-talks-continue/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/manchester-gets-22bn-metro-mayor-as-greater-birmingham-combined-authority-talks-continue/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:28:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Elected Mayor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Pickles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Osborne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17103</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham and the West Midlands’ hopes of taking part in the biggest ever transfer of powers from Westminster to the regions received a potential boost today as the Government confirmed]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/manchester-gets-22bn-metro-mayor-as-greater-birmingham-combined-authority-talks-continue/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>16</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Birmingham devolution: 13 years of talking and the conversation goes on&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-devolution-13-years-of-talking-and-the-conversation-goes-on/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-devolution-13-years-of-talking-and-the-conversation-goes-on/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2014 11:38:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Democracy Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joseph Chamberlain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sir Adrian Cadbury]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sir Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=17048</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The choice of Joseph Chamberlain’s ancestral home Highbury Hall to stage the latest in a series of Birmingham democracy conventions was symbolic in more ways than one, writes Paul Dale.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-devolution-13-years-of-talking-and-the-conversation-goes-on/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>19</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Midlands left in waiting room as northern cities in for £7bn rail boost</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/midlands-left-in-waiting-room-as-northern-cities-in-for-7bn-rail-boost/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/midlands-left-in-waiting-room-as-northern-cities-in-for-7bn-rail-boost/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Oct 2014 10:40:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham Airport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Cameron]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Higgins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[High Speed 2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[High-speed rail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HS2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leeds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manchester]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Midlands Connect]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Powerhouse]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16967</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Journey times from Manchester to Leeds could be cut from 48 to 26 minutes after the Government embraced plans for a £7 billion HS3 high speed rail track across the]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/midlands-left-in-waiting-room-as-northern-cities-in-for-7bn-rail-boost/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Confidence growing for a Combined Authority for Christmas</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/confidence-growing-for-a-combined-authority-by-christmas/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/confidence-growing-for-a-combined-authority-by-christmas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2014 11:30:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Carter]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City University]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centre for Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lunar Society of Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16893</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We had a great Think Birmingham event on Monday night in the City&#8217;s Council House with a very august panel drawn from the upper echelons of the West Midlands&#8217; political and business]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/confidence-growing-for-a-combined-authority-by-christmas/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Commission says &#8216;Set the Cities Free&#8217;, but West Mids unlikely to head devolution queue</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/commission-says-set-the-cities-free-but-west-mids-unlikely-to-head-devolution-queue/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/commission-says-set-the-cities-free-but-west-mids-unlikely-to-head-devolution-queue/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:14:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bob Kerslake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Growth Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Office for National Statistics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16873</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Powerful city regions run by elected mayors with tax-raising and spending powers must be at the forefront of a drive for devolution and economic growth, an influential independent think tank reports]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/commission-says-set-the-cities-free-but-west-mids-unlikely-to-head-devolution-queue/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>20</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Council leaders edging towards West Mids combined authority deal &#8216;by Christmas&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/council-leaders-edging-towards-west-mids-combined-authority-deal-by-christmas/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/council-leaders-edging-towards-west-mids-combined-authority-deal-by-christmas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:57:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local Government Association]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16851</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[West Midlands council leaders are tantalisingly close to agreeing to establish a Combined Authority to take advantage of powers and budgets expected to flow from the Government’s devolution agenda. Months of sensitive]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/council-leaders-edging-towards-west-mids-combined-authority-deal-by-christmas/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>17</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Birmingham&#8217;s devolution dilemma: Bore poses the &#8216;West Vesey Question&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birminghams-devolution-dilemma-bore-poses-the-west-vesey-question/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birminghams-devolution-dilemma-bore-poses-the-west-vesey-question/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2014 09:35:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish Parliament]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Lothian Question]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16727</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[City councillors representing Sutton Coldfield could be barred from voting on matters solely affecting Birmingham if the Royal Borough gets a town council with devolved powers and tax-raising rights. The]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birminghams-devolution-dilemma-bore-poses-the-west-vesey-question/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Birmingham-Solihull partnership indicates appetite for Combined Authority</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-solihull-partnership-indicates-appetite-for-combined-authority/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-solihull-partnership-indicates-appetite-for-combined-authority/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2014 15:11:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cllr Bob Sleigh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cllr Darren Cooper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economic Prosperity Board]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBSLEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greater birmingham and solihull LEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LEPs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mark Rogers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sandwell Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sir Albert Bore]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16509</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham and Solihull councils have taken the first step towards forming a Combined Authority in a process that could eventually include the Black Country and parts of Staffordshire and Worcestershire.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-solihull-partnership-indicates-appetite-for-combined-authority/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>15</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Untangling the devolution web: what&#8217;s really happening in the West Midlands</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/untangling-the-devolution-web-whats-really-happening-in-the-west-midlands/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/untangling-the-devolution-web-whats-really-happening-in-the-west-midlands/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2014 11:30:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Darren Coooper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greater birmingham and solihull LEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LEPs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sandwell Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sir Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solihull Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16466</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Chamberlain Files’ exclusive story last week revealing that Black Country council leaders have given Birmingham until Christmas to join forces and establish a Combined Authority quickly became one of this]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/untangling-the-devolution-web-whats-really-happening-in-the-west-midlands/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>12</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Birmingham-Black Country partnership is vital to region&#8217;s devolution hopes</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-black-country-partnership-is-vital-to-regions-devolution-hopes/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-black-country-partnership-is-vital-to-regions-devolution-hopes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2014 15:30:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBSLEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local enterprise partnership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence referendum 2014]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16269</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Black Country’s reluctance to join with Birmingham in a combined authority status could result in the West Midlands being overlooked if the Government hands devolved powers to local councils,]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-black-country-partnership-is-vital-to-regions-devolution-hopes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>26</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Devolution cat is out of the bag, but Sir Humphrey won&#8217;t like it</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-cat-is-out-of-the-bag-but-sir-humphrey-wont-like-it/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-cat-is-out-of-the-bag-but-sir-humphrey-wont-like-it/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2014 08:10:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBSLEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local enterprise partnership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence referendum 2014]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16259</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Even the most enthusiastic supporters of devolving powers and budgets from Westminster to cities and regions believe the road to decentralisation will be difficult, and many fear that the shift]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-cat-is-out-of-the-bag-but-sir-humphrey-wont-like-it/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Whitby warns memories of &#8216;loony left&#8217; councils may scupper devolution</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/whitby-warns-memories-of-loony-left-councils-may-scupper-devolution/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/whitby-warns-memories-of-loony-left-councils-may-scupper-devolution/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:42:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Pickles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Library of Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mike Whitby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence referendum 2014]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16222</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Paul Dale drops into the Lord Whitby Room at the Library of Birmingham to hear the eponymous Baron speak on the subject of urban conservatism.  Whitehall may try to block devolution in]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/whitby-warns-memories-of-loony-left-councils-may-scupper-devolution/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
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		<title>Big Eric invokes Chamberlain: &#8216;We must set the cities free&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/big-erics-invokes-chamberlain-we-must-set-the-cities-free/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/big-erics-invokes-chamberlain-we-must-set-the-cities-free/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2014 09:13:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conservative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joseph Chamberlain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Party Conferences]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence referendum 2014]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16193</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Chief blogger Paul Dale braved the warm white wine to enjoy the biennial banter between Big &#8220;localism&#8221; Eric and Sir &#8220;municipalism&#8221; Albert as the city officially welcomed the Tories to town. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/big-erics-invokes-chamberlain-we-must-set-the-cities-free/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>&#8216;Put your money where your mouth is on devolution&#8217;, UK cities tell Government</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is-on-devolution-uk-cities-tell-government/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is-on-devolution-uk-cities-tell-government/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:07:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Core Cities Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[William Hague]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16122</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The leaders of Britain’s largest local authorities have warned the Government not to water down a pledge to devolve powers and budgets to the country’s largest cities, reports Paul Dale. In]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is-on-devolution-uk-cities-tell-government/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>14</slash:comments>
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		<title>Devolution: time to think the unconventional</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-time-to-think-the-unconventional/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-time-to-think-the-unconventional/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2014 07:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kevin Johnson]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence referendum 2014]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15541</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The impact of the Scottish Referendum campaign and a bulging shelf of policy reports offer the chance for real devolution, writes Kevin Johnson. The city is notching up new records]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-time-to-think-the-unconventional/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
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		<title>All Aboard the Devolution Train (and Bus)</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/all-aboard-the-devolution-train-and-bus/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/all-aboard-the-devolution-train-and-bus/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:30:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alex Burrows]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mary Creagh]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16047</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Alex Burrows, a well-known Birmingham-based transport expert and blogger, reflects on a speech at yesterday’s conference that few will have heard but could be significant for the future of transport]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/all-aboard-the-devolution-train-and-bus/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>13</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>GE2015: The Ukip Factor</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ge2015-the-ukip-factor/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ge2015-the-ukip-factor/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Sep 2014 07:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2015 General Election]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conservative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Liberal Democrat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nigel Farage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UKIP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15480</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In part three of our GE2015 series, Paul Dale assess the Ukip factor to see where they might build on their “earthquake” at the Euros in June.  If there is]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ge2015-the-ukip-factor/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>Dash to deliver English devolution is &#8216;cynical&#8217; ploy, claims town hall academic</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/dash-to-deliver-english-devolution-is-cynical-ploy-claims-town-hall-academic/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/dash-to-deliver-english-devolution-is-cynical-ploy-claims-town-hall-academic/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:20:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence referendum 2014]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish Parliament]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Lothian Question]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16027</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A leading local government academic has urged the prime minister to set up a constitutional convention to consider how a post-Scottish referendum pledge to spread devolution to England might be achieved.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/dash-to-deliver-english-devolution-is-cynical-ploy-claims-town-hall-academic/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
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		<title>GE2015: WM &#8211; UK Political Barometer</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ge2015-wm-uk-political-barometer/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ge2015-wm-uk-political-barometer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Sep 2014 07:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2015 General Election]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conservative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Liberal Democrats]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15479</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the second part of our General Election special, chief blogger Paul Dale turns his attention to seats outside the City of Birmingham. It is often said that the West]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ge2015-wm-uk-political-barometer/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
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		<title>Politicians urged to deliver a &#8216;devolution revolution&#8217; for English cities</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/politicians-urged-to-deliver-a-devolution-revolution-for-english-cities/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/politicians-urged-to-deliver-a-devolution-revolution-for-english-cities/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2014 11:30:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alexandra Jones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centre for Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBSLEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local enterprise partnership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=16003</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If delegates at this year’s party conferences knew little about devolution before they got to the annual political bun fight, they will certainly appreciate the D-word by the time they get]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/politicians-urged-to-deliver-a-devolution-revolution-for-english-cities/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
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		<title>GE2015: Battleground Birmingham</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ge2015-battleground-birmingham/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ge2015-battleground-birmingham/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2014 07:00:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2015 General Election]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conservative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Liberal Democrat]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15966</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the party conference season gets into full swing, we start a series of special features looking ahead to the General Election next May. Paul Dale assesses the battleground in Birmingham. Birmingham]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ge2015-battleground-birmingham/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
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		<title>Job cuts demands &#8216;moral compass&#8217; approach to austerity &#8211; council chief</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/job-cuts-demands-moral-compass-approach-to-austerity-council-chief/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/job-cuts-demands-moral-compass-approach-to-austerity-council-chief/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2014 09:56:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mark Rogers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15913</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham council chief executive Mark Rogers has spoken of the need to maintain a “collective moral compass” as the authority faces up to savage budget cuts and prepares to shed]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/job-cuts-demands-moral-compass-approach-to-austerity-council-chief/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>Scotland says no, but it&#8217;s full steam ahead for English devolution</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/scotland-says-no-but-its-full-steam-ahead-for-english-devolution/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/scotland-says-no-but-its-full-steam-ahead-for-english-devolution/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2014 09:04:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Cameron]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish Parliament]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United Kingdom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Lothian Question]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15907</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Scotland’s decisive rejection of independence will be the starting point for far-reaching changes to the way Britain is governed, with more devolution for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Prime Minister]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/scotland-says-no-but-its-full-steam-ahead-for-english-devolution/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>14</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Ten questions about Scottish independence that demand an answer</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ten-questions-about-scottish-independence-that-demand-an-answer/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ten-questions-about-scottish-independence-that-demand-an-answer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2014 10:04:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Salmond]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of England]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mark carney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish Parliament]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15880</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Scottish voters will decide today whether their country should be granted independence. But the referendum won’t be the end of the matter. In the third part of our Scottish series this]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/ten-questions-about-scottish-independence-that-demand-an-answer/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Case for empowering cities to be debated during Conservative Party Conference</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/case-for-empowering-cities-to-be-debated-during-conservative-party-conference/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/case-for-empowering-cities-to-be-debated-during-conservative-party-conference/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:00:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kevin Johnson]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Referendum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Squire Patton Boggs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15859</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Squire Patton Boggs and Think Birmingham, is staging an event during the Conservative Party Conference to make the case for fiscal devolution. By]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/case-for-empowering-cities-to-be-debated-during-conservative-party-conference/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>27</slash:comments>
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		<title>After the Referendum, nothing will ever be the same again</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/after-the-referendum-nothing-will-ever-be-the-same-again/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/after-the-referendum-nothing-will-ever-be-the-same-again/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2014 15:30:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Salmond]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conservative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Cameron]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ed Miliband]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Referendum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish Parliament]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United Kingdom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15787</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the second part of our Scottish Referendum series, Paul Dale looks at what might happen to Cameron and Miliband &#8211; and more importantly to the cause of devolution in]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/after-the-referendum-nothing-will-ever-be-the-same-again/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>12</slash:comments>
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		<title>Momentous: Scottish Referendum will have far reaching ramifications</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/momentous-scottish-referendum-will-have-far-reaching-ramifications/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/momentous-scottish-referendum-will-have-far-reaching-ramifications/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:41:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1911 Parliament Act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Salmond]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salmond]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish independence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish Parliament]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scottish people]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United Kingdom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15784</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the first part of our feature on this week&#8217;s Scottish referendum, chief blogger Paul Dale looks at the complex consequences that will flow from the simple question being posed to]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/momentous-scottish-referendum-will-have-far-reaching-ramifications/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
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		<title>Clegg backs &#8216;decade of devolution&#8217; plan for English cities</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/clegg-backs-decade-of-devolution-plan-for-english-cities/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/clegg-backs-decade-of-devolution-plan-for-english-cities/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2014 07:35:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IPPR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nick Clegg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Richard Leese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Whitehall]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15697</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A blueprint setting out radical devolution plans for English cities and regions under beefed up councils and directly elected metro mayors has won the backing of the Deputy Prime Minister.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/clegg-backs-decade-of-devolution-plan-for-english-cities/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
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		<title>Set big cities free from &#8216;stifling Whitehall shackles&#8217;, says major report</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/set-big-cities-free-from-stifling-whitehall-shackles-says-major-report/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/set-big-cities-free-from-stifling-whitehall-shackles-says-major-report/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2014 09:36:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Growth Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Compulsory Purchase Order]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economic growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jim O'Neill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United Kingdom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Whitehall]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15578</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A sweeping devolution programme that would see extensive tax-raising and spending powers pass from Whitehall to major cities and city regions is outlined in a major national report issued today.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/set-big-cities-free-from-stifling-whitehall-shackles-says-major-report/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>11</slash:comments>
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		<title>Kerslake Review could spark radical council shake-up for &#8216;flatlining&#8217; Birmingham</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/kerslake-review-could-spark-radical-council-shake-up-for-flatlining-birmingham/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/kerslake-review-could-spark-radical-council-shake-up-for-flatlining-birmingham/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2014 07:43:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bob Kerslake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Department for Communities and Local Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michael Wilshaw]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trojan Horse]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15568</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Kerslake Review into the effectiveness of Birmingham City Council’s governance arrangements will have a wide brief and could even lead to the break-up of Britain’s largest local authority. Two]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/kerslake-review-could-spark-radical-council-shake-up-for-flatlining-birmingham/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>21</slash:comments>
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		<title>The Taxing Subject of Localism</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/the-taxing-subject-of-localism/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/the-taxing-subject-of-localism/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2014 03:30:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Game]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2007 Sustainable Communities Act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Game]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Pickles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[YouGov]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15445</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Chris Game, from the Institute of Local Government Studies at Birmingham University, tackles the taxing subject of localism following last week&#8217;s YouGov survey. “Public mood swings behind localism” was the]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/the-taxing-subject-of-localism/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Council devolution drive based on &#8216;managing, not empowering&#8217; communities</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/council-devolution-drive-based-on-managing-not-empowering-communities/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/council-devolution-drive-based-on-managing-not-empowering-communities/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2014 07:30:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council Cabinet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City University]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Richard Hatcher]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15407</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham’s 40 city council ward committees are failing to engage people in decision-making because councillors and town hall officials have no genuine interest in community empowerment, an academic has claimed.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/council-devolution-drive-based-on-managing-not-empowering-communities/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>38</slash:comments>
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		<title>Public mood swings behind localism in boost to town hall power plea</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/public-mood-swings-behind-localism-in-boost-to-town-hall-power-plea/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/public-mood-swings-behind-localism-in-boost-to-town-hall-power-plea/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2014 12:48:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Localism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PricewaterhouseCoopers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United Kingdom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=15396</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Support for devolving power and budgets from Westminster to the regions is growing as the localism campaign begins to resonate with voters, a major study has concluded. Almost half of]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/public-mood-swings-behind-localism-in-boost-to-town-hall-power-plea/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>Peering into the Enterprise Zone labyrinth: who decides how to spend GBSLEP&#8217;s millions?</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/peering-into-the-enterprise-zone-labyrinth-who-decides-how-to-spend-gbsleps-millions/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/peering-into-the-enterprise-zone-labyrinth-who-decides-how-to-spend-gbsleps-millions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jul 2014 15:10:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LEPs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBSLEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Osborne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local enterprise partnership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michael Heseltine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Urban Enterprise Zone]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14996</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[They have only just celebrated their third birthday, but if there was any doubt about the future of the country’s Local Enterprise Partnerships even the harshest critics must concede that]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/peering-into-the-enterprise-zone-labyrinth-who-decides-how-to-spend-gbsleps-millions/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
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		<title>Stay behind after class, City Growth Commission – you too, Jim O’ Neill</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/stay-behind-after-class-city-growth-commission-you-too-jim-o-neil/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/stay-behind-after-class-city-growth-commission-you-too-jim-o-neil/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:30:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kevin Johnson]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centre for Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Growth Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Commercial property]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jim O'Neill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[King Sturge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manhattan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14851</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mike Loftus takes Jim O&#8217;Neill and co gently to task for a spot of terminological inexactitude &#8211; and underlines the truth that Birmingham office costs are not higher than Manhattan’s (they]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/stay-behind-after-class-city-growth-commission-you-too-jim-o-neil/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
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		<title>Why we should welcome the West Midlands ITA&#8230; almost as much as today&#8217;s HS2 news</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-we-should-welcome-the-west-midlands-integrated-transport-authority-just-as-much-as-todays-hs2-news/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-we-should-welcome-the-west-midlands-integrated-transport-authority-just-as-much-as-todays-hs2-news/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2014 11:30:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Passenger transport executive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roger Lawrence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14869</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As Birmingham and the West Midlands celebrates today&#8217;s news about HS2, Paul Dale highlights a less exciting sounding development but one which has been a long time coming and will]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-we-should-welcome-the-west-midlands-integrated-transport-authority-just-as-much-as-todays-hs2-news/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>21</slash:comments>
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		<title>Why city regions must be at heart of dramatic drive for growth</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-city-regions-must-be-at-heart-of-dramatic-drive-for-growth/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-city-regions-must-be-at-heart-of-dramatic-drive-for-growth/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2014 07:00:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centre for Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Growth Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Core Cities Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jim O'Neill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United Kingdom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14802</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Another day and another think tank report puts the case for devolution of powers from central to local government and urges councils to work together under the banner of combined]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/why-city-regions-must-be-at-heart-of-dramatic-drive-for-growth/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>12</slash:comments>
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		<title>‘Think Birmingham’ launches calling for more powers and better funding for city</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/think-birmingham-launches-calling-for-more-powers-and-better-funding-for-city/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/think-birmingham-launches-calling-for-more-powers-and-better-funding-for-city/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2014 07:00:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kevin Johnson]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centre for Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ComRes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Election]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thinkcities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Whitehall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14768</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Chamberlain Files editor Kevin Johnson launches campaign which seeks fiscal devolution and real control over raising and spending money. The campaign is part of the Think Cities national platform, backed]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/think-birmingham-launches-calling-for-more-powers-and-better-funding-for-city/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>41</slash:comments>
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		<title>£357m Birmingham growth fund cash is &#8216;Tory election bribe&#8217; claims city MP</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/357m-birmingham-growth-fund-cash-is-tory-election-bribe-claims-city-mp/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/357m-birmingham-growth-fund-cash-is-tory-election-bribe-claims-city-mp/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2014 08:12:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Andy Street]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham Metropolitan College]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conservative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Cameron]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBSLEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michael Fabricant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Steve McCabe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14673</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Birmingham Labour MP has dismissed the region’s £357 million local growth fund settlement as a “bribe” designed to improve the Conservative party’s chances of winning the next election. Steve]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/357m-birmingham-growth-fund-cash-is-tory-election-bribe-claims-city-mp/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MPs demand more powers for local government as tide goes out on centralism</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/mps-demand-more-powers-for-local-government-as-tide-goes-out-on-centralism/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/mps-demand-more-powers-for-local-government-as-tide-goes-out-on-centralism/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2014 15:00:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Communities and Local Government Committee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[England]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joseph Chamberlain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Whitehall]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14658</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A fast-moving campaign to give local councils more powers to raise and spend their own taxes has been backed by an influential committee of MPs. In the latest contribution to]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/mps-demand-more-powers-for-local-government-as-tide-goes-out-on-centralism/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>£357m Greater Birmingham growth fund is good news, but don&#8217;t call it localism</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/357m-greater-birmingham-growth-fund-is-good-news-but-dont-call-it-localism/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/357m-greater-birmingham-growth-fund-is-good-news-but-dont-call-it-localism/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:29:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional Growth Fund]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14637</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Whitehall shackles that have gripped local government spending so tightly for decades have been loosened, but councils are not yet as free to make their own decisions as is]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/357m-greater-birmingham-growth-fund-is-good-news-but-dont-call-it-localism/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>11</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>£357m Greater Birmingham growth fund award is huge &#8216;vote of confidence&#8217; for region</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/357m-greater-birmingham-growth-fund-award-is-huge-vote-of-confidence-for-region/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/357m-greater-birmingham-growth-fund-award-is-huge-vote-of-confidence-for-region/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Jul 2014 23:08:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LEPs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Andy Street]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham Metropolitan College]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBSLEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greater birmingham and solihull LEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JLR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[University of Birmingham]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14605</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham will receive £357 million from the Government’s Local Growth Fund enabling a variety of high-profile regeneration schemes to go ahead, it was announced today. Key projects to be]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/357m-greater-birmingham-growth-fund-award-is-huge-vote-of-confidence-for-region/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>24</slash:comments>
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		<title>Study slams Government growth funds bidding process &#8216;a waste of public money&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/study-slams-government-growth-funds-bidding-process-a-waste-of-public-money/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/study-slams-government-growth-funds-bidding-process-a-waste-of-public-money/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:38:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[LGA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14581</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Local councils are wasting tens of millions of pounds a year in an often fruitless attempt to negotiate a maze of Whitehall bureaucracy when applying for growth funding, a major]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/study-slams-government-growth-funds-bidding-process-a-waste-of-public-money/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>Reasons to be cheerful replaces jaws of doom as Birmingham reaps economic recovery</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/reasons-to-be-cheerful-replaces-jaws-of-doom-as-birmingham-reaps-economic-recovery/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/reasons-to-be-cheerful-replaces-jaws-of-doom-as-birmingham-reaps-economic-recovery/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:18:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14554</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cover Image: Birmingham Toolkit Birmingham council leader Sir Albert Bore struck a surprisingly optimistic tone in his annual state of the city address, admitting that economic recovery was making a]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/reasons-to-be-cheerful-replaces-jaws-of-doom-as-birmingham-reaps-economic-recovery/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
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		<title>Miliband backs &#8216;new generation of Joseph Chamberlains&#8217; in £30bn growth plan</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/miliband-backs-new-generation-of-joseph-chamberlains-in-30bn-growth-plan/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/miliband-backs-new-generation-of-joseph-chamberlains-in-30bn-growth-plan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:08:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Ed Miliband]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joseph Chamberlain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14545</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Labour leader Ed Miliband upped the devolution stakes dramatically today, promising to distribute £30 billion of economic growth money to powerful city and county regions if he wins the General]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/miliband-backs-new-generation-of-joseph-chamberlains-in-30bn-growth-plan/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
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		<title>Manchester&#8217;s northern unity steals a march on Birmingham with some priceless &#8216;top table&#8217; publicity</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/manchesters-northern-unity-steals-a-march-on-birmingham-with-some-priceless-top-table-publicity/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/manchesters-northern-unity-steals-a-march-on-birmingham-with-some-priceless-top-table-publicity/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:08:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Cities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14528</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here’s a question for you. When was the last time Birmingham and the West Midlands benefited from a hugely complementary article on the op-ed page of the Financial Times? Sorry,]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/manchesters-northern-unity-steals-a-march-on-birmingham-with-some-priceless-top-table-publicity/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>17</slash:comments>
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		<title>Osborne set to back Greater Birmingham mayor&#8230; but only the brave need apply</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/osborne-set-to-back-greater-birmingham-mayor-but-only-the-brave-need-apply/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/osborne-set-to-back-greater-birmingham-mayor-but-only-the-brave-need-apply/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2014 13:38:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Boris Johnson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Osborne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14469</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In just under two weeks’ time George Osborne will announce the first allocations from his £2 billion-a-year Local Growth Fund, and the smart money is on the Chancellor choosing to set out]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/osborne-set-to-back-greater-birmingham-mayor-but-only-the-brave-need-apply/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>32</slash:comments>
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		<title>Greater Birmingham left trailing as Osborne bets on &#8216;powerhouse northern cities&#8217; to rival London&#8217;s economic clout</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-left-trailing-as-osborne-bets-on-powerhouse-northern-cities-to-rival-londons-economic-clout/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-left-trailing-as-osborne-bets-on-powerhouse-northern-cities-to-rival-londons-economic-clout/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2014 10:38:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[HS2 Week]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14447</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It was probably a coincidence that the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership&#8217;s annual conference fell a day before Chancellor George Osborne began to shed light on the Government’s latest plan to]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-left-trailing-as-osborne-bets-on-powerhouse-northern-cities-to-rival-londons-economic-clout/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>16</slash:comments>
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		<title>Birmingham&#8217;s &#8216;power to the people&#8217; drive could deliver biggest governance changes for a generation</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birminghams-power-to-the-people-drive-could-deliver-biggest-governance-changes-for-a-generation/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birminghams-power-to-the-people-drive-could-deliver-biggest-governance-changes-for-a-generation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2014 08:26:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14435</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham could be heading for the biggest structural change in governance for a generation after the city council announced it was setting up a wide-ranging devolution review. A working party will]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birminghams-power-to-the-people-drive-could-deliver-biggest-governance-changes-for-a-generation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>13</slash:comments>
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		<title>Crisis? What crisis?</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/crisis-what-crisis/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/crisis-what-crisis/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:08:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kevin Johnson]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14413</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Paul Dale’s post, “Birmingham’s reputation is being systematically trashed: is anyone in charge of the fightback”, raised several important issues that we’ve been chewing over at the Chamberlain Files in]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/crisis-what-crisis/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
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		<title>Former Birmingham council chief exec Stephen Hughes joins local government finance reform thinktank</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/former-birmingham-council-chief-exec-stephen-hughes-joins-local-government-finance-reform-thinktank/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/former-birmingham-council-chief-exec-stephen-hughes-joins-local-government-finance-reform-thinktank/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2014 12:38:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14306</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Former Birmingham city council chief executive Stephen Hughes has been appointed to an independent commission investigating the reform of local government finance. Hughes, who took early retirement in March, will]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/former-birmingham-council-chief-exec-stephen-hughes-joins-local-government-finance-reform-thinktank/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Clancy and Henley appeal to Labour&#8217;s heart and soul in battle to win Birmingham city council leadership</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/clancy-and-henley-appeal-to-labours-heart-and-soul-in-battle-to-win-birmingham-city-council-leadership/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/clancy-and-henley-appeal-to-labours-heart-and-soul-in-battle-to-win-birmingham-city-council-leadership/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2014 09:00:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Recommended]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham Municipal Bank]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cllr Barry Henley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cllr John Clancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14235</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[John Clancy and Barry Henley have launched their campaign to take the leadership of Birmingham City Council with a back to basics manifesto that promises “fresh ideas that connect with]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/clancy-and-henley-appeal-to-labours-heart-and-soul-in-battle-to-win-birmingham-city-council-leadership/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>20</slash:comments>
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		<title>Scandal of council pension funds: £2.2 billion paid to City could regenerate regional economies</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/scandal-of-council-pension-funds-2-2-billion-paid-to-city-could-regenerate-regional-economies/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/scandal-of-council-pension-funds-2-2-billion-paid-to-city-could-regenerate-regional-economies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2014 08:42:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14081</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Radical reforms to the way Britain’s local government pension schemes are administered could generate £2.2 billion to create jobs and kick-start depressed regional economies, according to ground-breaking research by a]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/scandal-of-council-pension-funds-2-2-billion-paid-to-city-could-regenerate-regional-economies/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>15</slash:comments>
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		<title>Birmingham warms to change as opposition to an elected mayor collapses</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-warms-to-change-as-opposition-to-an-elected-mayor-collapses/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-warms-to-change-as-opposition-to-an-elected-mayor-collapses/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2014 08:56:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centre for Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Elected Mayor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14072</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Opposition to Birmingham being run by an elected mayor has collapsed since the idea was rejected in a referendum two years ago, according to a new opinion poll. Fewer than]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-warms-to-change-as-opposition-to-an-elected-mayor-collapses/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
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		<title>Forget Scottish independence, let&#8217;s have &#8216;a new age of cities&#8217; says Birmingham</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/forget-scottish-independence-lets-have-a-new-age-of-cities-says-birmingham/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/forget-scottish-independence-lets-have-a-new-age-of-cities-says-birmingham/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2014 12:08:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=14030</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cover Image: via Compass Online Birmingham has stepped into the Scottish independence debate by claiming that breaking up the UK would be a big mistake and bad for economic growth.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/forget-scottish-independence-lets-have-a-new-age-of-cities-says-birmingham/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>11</slash:comments>
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		<title>Government smooths the path for creation of Greater Birmingham</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/government-smooths-the-path-for-creation-of-greater-birmingham/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/government-smooths-the-path-for-creation-of-greater-birmingham/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 May 2014 16:08:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13975</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Government is planning to make it easier for councils to work together, increasing the chances of a Greater Birmingham Authority being established to run transport and economic development. Birmingham]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/government-smooths-the-path-for-creation-of-greater-birmingham/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>13</slash:comments>
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		<title>Boris Johnson: Conservatives must ‘recover municipal tradition’</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/boris-johnson-conservatives-must-recover-municipal-tradition/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/boris-johnson-conservatives-must-recover-municipal-tradition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:23:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Benjamin Mulvihill]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13918</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In a wide ranging interview Total Politics magazine, Boris Johnson has spoken at length about his belief that radical devolution must be at the centre of the Conservative Party&#8217;s future.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/boris-johnson-conservatives-must-recover-municipal-tradition/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
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		<title>Baron Whitby in Brum: Labour are trying to &#8216;airbrush me out of history&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/baron-whitby-in-brum-labour-are-trying-to-airbrush-me-out-of-history/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/baron-whitby-in-brum-labour-are-trying-to-airbrush-me-out-of-history/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:08:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13892</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham is making a colossal strategic error by turning its back on the party conferences, according to the man who four times brought the Tories to the International Convention Centre.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/baron-whitby-in-brum-labour-are-trying-to-airbrush-me-out-of-history/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
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		<title>High-rolling UKIP eyes Birmingham city council elections</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/high-rolling-ukip-eyes-birmingham-city-council-elections/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/high-rolling-ukip-eyes-birmingham-city-council-elections/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2014 12:38:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Local Elections]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13886</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[UKIP’s strong showing in opinion polls over several months suggests Nigel Farage’s party will do very well at the European elections on May 22, quite possibly winning a higher percentage]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/high-rolling-ukip-eyes-birmingham-city-council-elections/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Council chief execs turn on &#8216;talking shop LEPs&#8217; and urge Government to back localism talk with action</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/council-chief-execs-turn-on-talking-shop-leps-and-urge-government-to-back-localism-talk-with-action/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/council-chief-execs-turn-on-talking-shop-leps-and-urge-government-to-back-localism-talk-with-action/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2014 12:08:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LEPs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ed Miliband]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local enterprise partnership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13779</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Government must turn its “localism rhetoric into reality” by giving councils the powers they need to borrow more money and invest in new infrastructure, senior town hall officials have]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/council-chief-execs-turn-on-talking-shop-leps-and-urge-government-to-back-localism-talk-with-action/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
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		<title>Birmingham: the Cinderella City which risks missing the Devolution Ball?</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-the-cinderella-city-which-risks-missing-the-devolution-ball/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-the-cinderella-city-which-risks-missing-the-devolution-ball/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2014 08:50:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[David Bailey]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ed Miliband]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[England]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Whitehall]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13776</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week Labour leader Ed Miliband promised “the biggest devolution of power to England’s great towns and cities in a hundred years.” Precise details of the policy have yet to]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-the-cinderella-city-which-risks-missing-the-devolution-ball/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>13</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>The Birmingham Manifesto: Miliband walks the tightrope</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/the-birmingham-manifesto-miliband-walks-the-tightrope/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/the-birmingham-manifesto-miliband-walks-the-tightrope/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2014 06:38:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Benjamin Mulvihill]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ed Miliband]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joseph Chamberlain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13753</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[“It’s great to be in Birmingham&#8230; And where better to talk about Britain’s economic future than here? The city of Joseph Chamberlain. The heart of Britain’s industrial revolution. The beginning]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/the-birmingham-manifesto-miliband-walks-the-tightrope/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Miliband sets Greater Birmingham hare running in return for share of £20bn</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/miliband-sets-greater-birmingham-hare-running-in-return-for-share-of-20bn/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/miliband-sets-greater-birmingham-hare-running-in-return-for-share-of-20bn/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Apr 2014 08:45:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ed Miliband]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Whitehall]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13740</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ed Miliband has dramatically hijacked the localisation agenda by promising the biggest devolution of power from central government to England’s “great towns and cities” in a hundred years – but]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/miliband-sets-greater-birmingham-hare-running-in-return-for-share-of-20bn/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>18</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Introducing Rogers and Bore: the new double act banging the drum for Birmingham</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/introducing-rogers-and-bore-the-new-double-act-banging-the-drum-for-birmingham/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/introducing-rogers-and-bore-the-new-double-act-banging-the-drum-for-birmingham/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:08:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manchester City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mark Rogers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13718</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[He intends to be ‘out there’ banging the drum for Birmingham. He admits to being an extrovert, and intends to ‘be in the space’ of city council leader Sir Albert]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/introducing-rogers-and-bore-the-new-double-act-banging-the-drum-for-birmingham/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>21</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Birmingham-Heathrow spat reaches new heights in press release war</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-heathrow-spat-reaches-new-heights-in-press-release-war/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-heathrow-spat-reaches-new-heights-in-press-release-war/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:38:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham Airport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[British Chambers of Commerce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bureau Veritas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heathrow]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13670</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Relations between Birmingham Airport and Heathrow, never very good at the best of times, appear to have skidded off the runway and crash landed. The subject of the latest spat]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-heathrow-spat-reaches-new-heights-in-press-release-war/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>29</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Social services: uncertainty remains as separation of commissioning and provision remains option</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/social-services-uncertainty-remains-as-separation-of-commissioning-and-provision-remains-option/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/social-services-uncertainty-remains-as-separation-of-commissioning-and-provision-remains-option/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2014 09:15:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham children's services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Department for Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Julian Le Grand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Norman Warner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peter Hay]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13645</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Following publication of the damning Le Grand report into Birmingham&#8217;s social services, chief blogger Paul Dale gives his analysis of the study and finds the outlook far from certain.  The]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/social-services-uncertainty-remains-as-separation-of-commissioning-and-provision-remains-option/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Greater Birmingham campaign puts Labour high command on the spot</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-campaign-puts-labour-high-command-on-the-spot/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-campaign-puts-labour-high-command-on-the-spot/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2014 09:53:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chuka Umunna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local enterprise partnership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13619</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna has urged Labour to pursue a radical decentralisation programme if the party wins next year&#8217;s General Election, raising the likelihood that a Greater Birmingham council would]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-campaign-puts-labour-high-command-on-the-spot/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
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		<title>BBC adopts guerrilla tactics to put Birmingham at heart of modernisation drive</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/bbc-adopts-guerrilla-tactics-to-put-birmingham-at-heart-of-modernisation-drive/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/bbc-adopts-guerrilla-tactics-to-put-birmingham-at-heart-of-modernisation-drive/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2014 09:38:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City University]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBSLEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[James Purnell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MediaCityUK]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13605</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham is at the centre of a BBC modernisation drive as the corporation reinvents itself for the digital age in an effort to appeal to a younger and more diverse]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/bbc-adopts-guerrilla-tactics-to-put-birmingham-at-heart-of-modernisation-drive/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>11</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>We’re crushing local government; now let’s get councillors</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/were-crushing-local-government-now-lets-get-councillors/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/were-crushing-local-government-now-lets-get-councillors/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2014 13:38:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Game]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Game]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local Government Association]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local Government Pension Scheme]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TaxPayers' Alliance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13590</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week&#8217;s Budget announcements on pensions gives Files regular Chris Game another angle from which to question the Government&#8217;s approach to the size of councils and how councillors are compensated. He]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/were-crushing-local-government-now-lets-get-councillors/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>Conference to mark centenary of Joseph Chamberlain’s death</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/conference-to-mark-centenary-of-joseph-chamberlains-death/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/conference-to-mark-centenary-of-joseph-chamberlains-death/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:08:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Benjamin Mulvihill]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chamberlain Conference]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joseph Chamberlain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lunar Society of Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newman University]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13458</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[To mark an end to Devolution Week on the Files, we are happy to announce RJF Public Affairs is supporting Newman University&#8217;s special conference to mark the centenary of Joseph]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/conference-to-mark-centenary-of-joseph-chamberlains-death/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Local government’s devolution problem: powers without money</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/local-governments-devolution-problem-powers-without-money/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/local-governments-devolution-problem-powers-without-money/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Mar 2014 14:38:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Game]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Congress of the Council of Europe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daily Mail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[European Charter of Local Self-Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ukraine]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13464</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Great minds think alike, the possibly Confucian proverb insists. While those bright RJF guys were planning their Devolution Week, some equally bright guys at the Council of Europe (CoE) in]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/local-governments-devolution-problem-powers-without-money/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Our 1,000th post: Greater Birmingham needs a Super PAC</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/our-1000th-post-greater-birmingham-needs-a-super-pac/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/our-1000th-post-greater-birmingham-needs-a-super-pac/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Mar 2014 18:08:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Benjamin Mulvihill]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joseph Chamberlain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Super PAC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13449</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For all our readers counting, this is The Chamberlain Files&#8217; 1000th post. To celebrate our contributor and RJF Research Assistant Benjamin Mulvihill calls the city to arms and for the]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/our-1000th-post-greater-birmingham-needs-a-super-pac/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Always a day away &#124; Devolution Week II</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/always-a-day-away-devolution-week-ii/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/always-a-day-away-devolution-week-ii/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Mar 2014 13:08:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Bore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ed Miliband]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hilary Benn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Cruddas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Local Government Network]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13426</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the second part of a special feature for the Chamberlain Files, Paul Dale turns to the Labour Party to see what key figures are saying about localism. He is]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/always-a-day-away-devolution-week-ii/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Election Ahead &#8211; must be time for devolution deluge</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-week/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-week/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Mar 2014 09:37:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13421</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Chief Blogger Paul Dale has been pouring through speeches and pamphlets to see what the parties and think tanks are saying about devolution as we approach next year’s general election.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-week/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
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		<title>Greater Birmingham: United we stand, divided we fall</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-united-we-stand-divided-we-fall/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-united-we-stand-divided-we-fall/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:22:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Benjamin Mulvihill]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Manchester]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13396</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In his third voyage, Gulliver encounters the floating island of ‘Laputa’. The island hovers above the lower island of ‘Balnibarbi’, where it uses its considerable technological advances to dominate the]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-united-we-stand-divided-we-fall/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>26</slash:comments>
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		<title>Combined Authority Two to Three Years Away, says Black Country Leader</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/combined-authority-two-to-three-years-away-says-black-country-leader/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/combined-authority-two-to-three-years-away-says-black-country-leader/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2014 13:37:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Black Country]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands County Council]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13399</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the week when “Greater Birmingham” is the talk of “Fleet Street” and even The Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes, a Black Country council leader has said a Combined]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/combined-authority-two-to-three-years-away-says-black-country-leader/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>15</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Greater Birmingham: has it&#8217;s time come?</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-has-its-time-come/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-has-its-time-come/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Mar 2014 11:22:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Midlands]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13378</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Whisper it softly, but Birmingham has been on the end of some favourable publicity lately. Media attention, when it manages to peer warily out from London, tends to focus on]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/greater-birmingham-has-its-time-come/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>21</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Devolution held back over fears councils will &#8216;do something barmy&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-held-back-over-fears-councils-will-do-something-barmy/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-held-back-over-fears-councils-will-do-something-barmy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:07:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13130</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Promises to decentralise power issued during the 2015 General Election are unlikely to be delivered unless the Government learns from past mistakes including botched plans for regional assemblies and elected]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/devolution-held-back-over-fears-councils-will-do-something-barmy/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How to solve the &#8216;Birmingham problem&#039;: devolution and an elected mayor</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/how-to-solve-the-birmingham-problem-devolution-and-an-elected-mayor/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/how-to-solve-the-birmingham-problem-devolution-and-an-elected-mayor/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Feb 2014 10:36:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gisela Stuart]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local government]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13098</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What do you do about a problem like Birmingham? This is a question that has consumed local government nerds for years. The thing is, this city of almost 1.1 million]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/how-to-solve-the-birmingham-problem-devolution-and-an-elected-mayor/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>11</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Booming London makes case for devolution, but whose fingers are pulling the strings?</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/booming-london-makes-case-for-devolution-but-whose-fingers-are-pulling-the-strings/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/booming-london-makes-case-for-devolution-but-whose-fingers-are-pulling-the-strings/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2014 14:50:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LEPs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centre for Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City status in the United Kingdom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[England]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBSLEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Glasgow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local enterprise partnership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manchester]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=13014</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The debate about the size of London and its stranglehold over the UK economy has been around for a very long time. Oliver Twist, Dick Whittington, businessmen on the make]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/booming-london-makes-case-for-devolution-but-whose-fingers-are-pulling-the-strings/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>London basks in economic boom, while Birmingham &#8216;punches below its weight&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/london-basks-in-economic-boom-while-birmingham-punches-below-its-weight/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/london-basks-in-economic-boom-while-birmingham-punches-below-its-weight/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:36:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Councils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LEPs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recommended]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centre for Cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City status in the United Kingdom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy of the United Kingdom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[England]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Osborne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manchester]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=12996</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Britain’s economic recovery is dominated by job creation in London, leaving cities like Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool struggling to keep up, a major economic study has found. Ten times as]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/london-basks-in-economic-boom-while-birmingham-punches-below-its-weight/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Birmingham is shown a clean pair of heels by our friends in the north</title>
		<link>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-is-shown-a-clean-pair-of-heels-by-our-friends-in-the-north/</link>
		<comments>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-is-shown-a-clean-pair-of-heels-by-our-friends-in-the-north/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jan 2014 13:30:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Dale]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[#ThinkBirmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WM2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birmingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Combined Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Institute for Public Policy Research]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern England]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=12748</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham and the West Midlands are at risk of being left in the slow lane by cities in the north of England when it comes to persuading the Government to]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://thechamberlainfiles.com/birmingham-is-shown-a-clean-pair-of-heels-by-our-friends-in-the-north/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
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