Councils to consider launching public consultation over £1.14bn devolution deal

Local authorities will decide on whether to launch a public consultation over the proposed East Midlands devolution deal at a series of crunch meetings in two weeks’ time.

Nottingham City Council will discuss the deal at its Full Council meeting on Monday 31 October, followed by Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council on 2 November and Nottinghamshire County Council on 4 November.

The leaders of the four councils signed up to work on a devolution deal earlier this year after the Government offered the region a package of new powers and funding worth £1.14bn.

The deal would see a new type of combined authority created for the region from 2024 which would be presided over by a regional mayor.

It is estimated that the deal could provide a guaranteed income stream of £38m per year over a 30-year period.

Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, and David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said in a joint statement: “Formal agreement by each council to go ahead with a consultation is the next step towards securing a devolution deal. It is about us getting a better deal for our area and getting a fairer share for both counties and cities. It would mean more funding for our region, and the opportunity to have more meaningful decisions made here, near the people they affect, rather than in London, so they can be better tailored to local needs.

“We don’t want to miss out on the advantages that devolution would bring, which other parts of the country have already benefited from. We’ve seen how devolution has given other areas more influence, a bigger presence, and helped them make the most of their strengths.

“We want to make the most of every opportunity, and of every penny, that this deal would bring in. It could make a real difference to people’s lives. More and better jobs, more investment, economic growth, better transport, housing, skills training, an improved greener and more sustainable environment. These are the things we all want to see, as we work together for a better future for the East Midlands.

“We often haven’t had the same level of funding or influence as other areas, and this is a big chance to turn that around and help us live up to our potential as a region.”