Devolution plans secure £18m for local programmes

A total of £18m in funding is being provided to Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham as an initial investment during early devolution negotiations and is not dependant on devolution proposals going ahead.

Homes across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will benefit from the scheme, specifically targeting homes with poor efficiency ratings, the most poorly insulated and low-income households.

A recent approval of £9.9m in funding will enable councils to undertake retrofit work on homes, enhancing their energy efficiency.

Leader of Nottingham City Council, David Mellen said: “I welcome this extra investment as part of our ongoing plans for devolution – especially the £9.9m to retrofit homes to become more energy efficient.

“This will not only keep bills lower during the current cost of crisis but will also support Nottingham’s ambition to become a carbon neutral city by 2028.”

There are a number of other programmes that are already underway or completed.

There has been the allocation of £2m which has be allocated to the establishment of a new long term private rental scheme aimed at tackling homelessness In Nottingham City and Derby City. The primary goal of this scheme is to decrease the reliance on bed and breakfast accommodation for temporary housing.

A budget of £1.22m has been allocated to address the shortage of affordable housing in Derby. This funding aims to construct 15 additional social houses that will be available for letting at affordable prices.

£1.2m has been allocated for the installation of new gigabit broadband in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham. As a result of this investment, an additional 118 rural public sector schools and libraries will have access to gigabit broadband. The scheme is projected to be completed and services are expected to be operational by March 2024.

£750,000 will be used to establish a new cycling and walking route in Derbyshire. This 1.25 mile pathway will serve as a crucial link, connecting Markham Vale to the existing cycle route in Staveley. This project aims to promote active transport and enhance accessibility in the region.

The approved funding of £1.5m has been utilised to construct a new roundabout on the A6 at Fairfield in Buxton, Derbyshire. This roundabout has facilitated access to sites where 461 new homes have been built, including 30% affordable houses.

£1.5m will be used to support the growth of green skills in the region. The investment will aid the creation of £5.4 million flagship skills and low carbon demonstrator at West Nottinghamshire College. It includes two electric mini buses to support a future low carbon economy and our net-zero goals.

Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Ben Bradley MP said: “Its fantastic news that by working together we’ve secured yet another investment.

“This is just a taster of what could be achieved under the devolution deal.”

Notably, the East Midlands has secured one of the exclusive 12 new investment zones that has been established across the UK.

Introducing low tax investment Zones is aimed at fostering growth in regions beyond London. Each Zone is set to receive £80 million in support over five years, along with tax incentives.

If devolution is realised, our region, covering Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Derby and Nottingham, will receive a funding stream of £38 million of a 30 year period.

The devolution deal includes an extra £16m for new homes on Brownfield land.

Leader of Derbyshire County Council, Barry Lewis said: “If a devolution deal for the East Midlands goes ahead, it will bring a package of local powers and a much-needed funding worth £1.14 billion that will help improve the lives of people in Derbyshire and throughout the region.”

To further support this initiative, Leader of Derby City Council, Baggy Shanker said: “As a new leader coming into the devolution space, its good to see actual benefits being realised in the region, especially ones that are able to support our lower-income households and families.

“Decisions about our area and our communities should be made by locally elected and locally accountable representatives; for far too long many decisions affecting too many people have been made by too few.”