Report recommends West Yorkshire Combined Authority should be considered for devolved powers

THE City Growth Commission has recommended that the West Yorkshire Combined Authority should be considered to be given unprecedented levels of devolved powers and responsibilities.

The Commission, which has been investigating what is needed to enable cities to thrive, has today published ‘Unleashing Growth – its final report with a full set of recommendations for national and local government.

The report makes the case for, and explains how, cities can take a new role in the political economy, creating stronger, more inclusive and sustainable growth in the UK.
 
Coun Keith Wakefield, said: “We very much welcome the historic recommendations of the City Growth Commission report and especially the findings of independent experts that we are ready to be trusted with unprecedented levels of decision-making, fiscal powers and responsibility.
 
“We have said all along that we need to be able to shape our own destiny rather than continue to be dictated to and held back by Whitehall, and these recommendations would enable us to make the major improvements we need. These powers would give us the ability to strengthen our communities and make real and long-term improvements to people’s prospects and their lives. The Leeds City Region would become a net contributor to the UK economy within five years.
 
“The debate over whether or not devolution should happen is over.  Let’s get on and make it a reality and show that the confidence placed in us is more than justified to usher in a bright new future for the people of Leeds and the wider region.”

The report draws on interim reports which have focused on skills, infrastructure, fiscal devolution and the role of universities in driving metro (metropolitan) growth.

Key recommendations outline a significant shift – from the centre to metros – in policy and finance, enabling metro leaders to:
• Coordinate resources across their city-region and make strategic policy and finance decisions via place-based budgeting and investment strategy.
• Make more informed and responsive decisions based on evaluation of local data and evidence.
• Develop effective ways of integrating public service reform and economic development.
• Have greater flexibility over their spending and borrowing arrangements, including: Multi-year finance settlements of between five and 10 years; retention of a proportion of the tax proceeds of growth; and freedom for the most devolved metros to set and fully retain a suite of taxes.

The report also suggests that metros should be represented in national decision making, bringing forward measures to enhance connectivity and growth, including:
• A comprehensive review on how current and future needs for digital infrastructure can be met.
• Accelerated connectivity between metros in the North, Midlands and other ‘super city-regions’.

Other measures include lifting the cap on Tier 2 (non-EU) migration, devolution of adult skills budgets, and additional support for universities to help fuel their local economy.

The final report considers evidence heard by the Commission in the form of written submissions and evidence hearings, and discussions hosted by the Commission at seminars, roundtables and other stakeholder engagement.

Launched in October 2013 the City Growth Commission was a 12 month enquiry into how cities can be empowered to shape and drive their economies.  The Commission seeks to influence the main political parties as they prepare their manifestos in the run up to the next UK General Election.