18 councils back proposal to create One Yorkshire devolution deal by 2020

Leaders and representatives of 18 Yorkshire authorities have submitted a “detailed” and “concrete” proposal to Government to deliver a One Yorkshire devolution deal by May 2020.

Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Doncaster, East Riding of Yorkshire, Hambleton, Harrogate, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby, Wakefield and York Councils were represented at a meeting to decide on the proposed terms of a devolution deal. Sheffield and Rotherham were not present but, according to the proposed terms which have now been submitted to Government, could join at a later date.

The One Yorkshire deal proposed states: “Deal to be based on the widest possible Yorkshire geography conditional on Government enabling all 20 Yorkshire Councils to join – if they so choose – by May 2020.

Adding: “Should Sheffield and Rotherham choose to not join the deal, it is recognised that arrangements may need to be made to ensure the integration of transport across South Yorkshire.”

The submission, which the authorities have been working on for several months, follows the request for such a proposal made by Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid, at a Yorkshire & North Lincolnshire APPG meeting last week.

It is proposing a new directly elected Mayor for Yorkshire by May 2020 and powers to support adult skills provision and co-design employment support. In addition, it states that the devolution deal would have “the ability to create a joined up approach with a focus on connecting the people of Yorkshire to job opportunities, including through a single Yorkshire smart travel ticket.”

The council’s proposed deal states that it would also enable a Yorkshire Combined Authority to create an Investment Fund of more than £3.75bn through a 30 year gainshare revenue stream and locally raised finance. Adding: “An incoming Yorkshire Mayor would have the option, subject to primary legislation, and on the basis of support from local business, to raise a business rates supplement.”

The document states: “This Deal represents a first step in a progressive process of devolution of funding, powers and responsibilities to Yorkshire Combined Authority and a directly elected Mayor for Yorkshire. As well as the funding and powers set out in this deal, Yorkshire Combined Authority working with its constituent authorities and Government will continue to consider further opportunities for devolution.”

Leaders said Javid had made it clear that the Government would not stand in the way of any One Yorkshire proposal that had widespread support.

The document outlining proposed terms of an agreement between the 18 Yorkshire council leaders/representatives and Government states: “The delivery of this devolution agreement is central to Yorkshire’s collective drive to unleash the full economic potential of a region with an established international brand, an economy twice the size of Wales and a population the same as Scotland.

“At its heart is a desire to accelerate the pace of rebalancing prosperity, to play a central role in a confident outward looking UK economy and embrace the opportunities of the digital age and to do so through self-reliance, self-help and self-sufficiency.

“The plan to create a single mayoral combined authority for Yorkshire by May 2020 addresses the requirement for these ambitions to be delivered through clear accountable arrangements which avoid duplication and additional costly and burdensome bureaucracy. However, more profoundly, it does so based on the strong, shared, internationally-recognised Yorkshire identity and brand.
“Public support for mayoral arrangements to align with an existing identity which complements – rather than competes – with their powerful allegiance to village, town or city, is clear. This proposal will establish a Yorkshire mayor with the capacity to be a powerful symbol of common endeavour within the region and as an ambassador for it nationally and internationally.”
This document sets out how important it is to place powers “where they will have maximum impact while retaining the overarching benefits of regional coherence and co-operation.”
It continues: “Covering such a large population and functional economy, this proposed agreement offers the scale to make it a central pillar of the national drive to tackling fundamental weaknesses in the UK economy, notably the productivity challenge and the geographic imbalance in wealth and opportunity.”