“The vast majority of contributions, often made in angry tones, arose from the perceived lack of efforts by the combined authority to engage the public about the deal relating to their local area,” the committee said.

“For devolution to take root and fulfil its aims, it needs to involve and engage the people it is designed to benefit. There has been a consistent very significant lack of public consultation, engagement and communication at all stages of the deal-making process.”

Council leaders from other parts of the country told the committee the public had not been consulted before their deals were agreed.

‘Rapid pace’

It is particularly important to engage the public where health powers are being devolved, the MPs said, because “the public’s response is likely to be more emotional”.

The committee said the government had driven the first wave of devolution deals through “at rapid pace”, which meant “no opportunity for engagement with residents”, but said council leaders should still have communicated the deal to residents and told them how they would be affected.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said it welcomed the committee’s support for its “devolution revolution” and said there was “no one-size-fits-all approach” for different areas.

Local Government Association chairman Lord Porter said: “While it is right that devolution deals are not imposed, but negotiated and secured by local places, we recognise the need for greater public engagement throughout the deal-making process and are working with councils to support them in this.”