Devolution is dead…. welcome to the Metropolitan Strategy

The devolution deal for the North Midlands has been declared dead by the leader of Nottingham City Council after authorities  in Derby and Nottingham came together to develop a Metropolitan strategy.

The deal devolution in the North Midlands was strewn with problems – including outlying regions refusing to sign up. However, say city chiefs in Derby and Nottingham, the new strategy sets out a joint vision that by ‘2030 Derby & Nottingham will have a global reputation as an exciting place to live, work and play.’

City leaders believe that by combining their weight they will have more muscle nationally and internationally, and create a strong city region which will contribute more to the economy of the East Midlands and the UK.

Councillor Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council said: “By working together, Nottingham and Derby will be able to ‘punch above our weight’ when it comes to establishing a national presence and international reputation – and this will help us make the most of opportunities such as HS2, the Midlands Engine, and foreign trade and investment. This will be good for our cities, good for our citizens, and good for the wider economy.

“In a world that now operates on a global scale, we need to reach out to our neighbours and explore the potential that collaboration can bring. To engage with these and other emerging markets we need a united, clear voice with our business community.

“Of course things are unsettled at the moment following the referendum but there will be economic opportunities and – as two cities, as Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, as the East Midlands and as the Midlands Engine – we need to be ready to grasp them so that all our residents, employees and visitors have a prosperous future.”

Cllr Ranjit Banwait, leader of Derby City Council added: “As I have started to talk about closer working between the cities, I have been struck by the number of people who expressed initial surprise – which was then usually followed by a thoughtful nod and a comment of ‘actually that makes sense’.

“We are not just closely tied through our proud industrial heritage, modern manufacturing base, transport links or even one great football manager – but through our citizens. Over 40,000 people regularly commute between Derby and Nottingham and many of the families I talk to in Derby have children living or studying Nottingham and the opposite is equally true.

“We are doing this because we believe that by working more closely we can improve life for all our Metropolitan citizens and together we can have more impact on creating jobs, improving housing, responding to new technologies and securing investment.

“Modern, forward thinking cities will give more people more opportunities to reach their own personal goals and ambitions – to learn, earn, enjoy their leisure time and raise their families.”

Both leaders describe the Metropolitan Strategy as ‘the start of a journey’ and expect it will change and grow over time. They say they are keen to ensure it is not just a paper document but a spirit and intent that might be embraced more widely.

A draft action plan has been published that sets out broad actions which, initially at least, are more about starting to build relationships and to identify, analyse and assess the potential opportunities.

There are some areas however, where the Councils say they hope to make an immediate difference:

• Collaborating on overseas promotion and campaigns – starting with a joint business delegation to China this autumn
• Developing a joint skills plans for the Derby & Nottingham area, including plans to maximise the opportunities of HS2
• Bidding together for funding to improve sustainable travel
• Developing a joint festival and events programme
• Exploring opportunities for joint working, pricing, offers and operation at leisure facilities across both cities

The leaders are asking local people to give their views by visiting the Derby or Nottingham City Council websites and completing an online survey.

The consultation is open and runs until 19 September 2016.