East Midlands devolution takes a step closer
The proposed East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has moved a step closer to reality after key legislation was approved in Westminster.
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill has been granted Royal Assent this week after completing its passage through Parliament, paving the way for the creation of the EMCCA and the region’s very-first Mayoral elections next May.
Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council will now decide whether to move forward with devolution plans, with decisions expected before the end of the year.
The East Midlands devolution deal, agreed with Government ministers last summer, would see Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham receive £1.14bn of funding to invest in local projects related to transport, education and skills, housing, the environment and economic development.
The powers and funding will be held by the proposed East Midlands Combined County Authority, for which there will be an elected mayor from May 2024, and is presently being steered by the elected leaders from the two city and two county councils which signed the deal.
Representatives from District and Borough Councils, alongside wider partners from business and other sectors, will further support the organisation’s development and governance.
Devolution plans for the East Midlands are similar to those already in place across other mayoral regions like Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.
If the plans go ahead, the EMCCA – spanning two counties and cities – would be the first combined county authority in the country, with a new elected regional mayor at the helm, representing around 2.2 million people.
Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “This is a key milestone on the road to agreeing plans to bring in £38 million a year for the East Midlands and move major decision-making to the people who best know our communities, rather than Westminster.
“It’s about improving the lives of people across our region by bringing more and better jobs, opportunities for training, better transport and housing, improving the local economy and accelerating our route to Net Zero. But that’s just the start. If this deal is agreed, we’re determined to build on it over time as other areas have done, bringing further benefits for our residents in the future.”
Ben Bradley MP, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council and Tory choice for the elected mayor’s role, said: “This is truly a milestone moment in the quest for devolved powers for our region. Now we know this is definitely happening, and we’ve secured more powers, local control, funding and independence from central government to affect real change in the East Midlands. That’s fantastic news.
“In truth though, it just confirms the start of the journey. The end game is delivering outcomes like better transport, quality jobs and new training opportunities for local people.”
