One Yorkshire devolution deal rejected by Government as it fails to meet criteria
The Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government has rejected the One Yorkshire devolution deal, proposed by Yorkshire leaders, as it “does not meet the government’s criteria.”
In a letter to Sheffield Mayor, Dan Jarvis MP, James Brokenshire also stated that the region needed to complete the Sheffield City Region devolution deal as this “remained as priority” and described the One Yorkshire proposals as “novel.” The proposals had been back by many local leaders, who have been lobbying Government for a year.
Brokenshire said: “The Government considers that the One Yorkshire devolution proposals do not meet our criteria for devolution.
“However, we are prepared, if you and local leaders wish, to begin discussions about a different, localist approach to devolution in Yorkshire. We know there is local appetite for other devolution elsewhere in Yorkshire, with representations for example, having been made previously by the Leeds City Region, York and North Yorkshire and the Humber Estuary.
“In line with current Government policy, we would be prepared to consider any proposals submitted. This would also be on the basis that you have honoured your commitments to the people of Sheffield City Region through the completion of the Sheffield City Region devolution deal, which remains a priority for the Government and indeed for yourself. This step is essential for talks to progress.”
The letter, which was also sent to the other leaders across Yorkshire, stated:”We appreciate the enthusiasm and dedication that has come from yourself and the Yorkshire leaders in developing this idea of a whole Yorkshire devolution.
“Having carefully considered all the material we have received, we do understand the ambitions that you have for your areas, and I understand the value and potential that you see in harnessing local people’s sense of identity with Yorkshire.
“This is the context in which I am now writing to you to suggest how we might all now move forward with devolution in Yorkshire.
“The One Yorkshire concept is novel. It focuses on an area that is far greater than any past local administrative area for Yorkshire or any of today’s functional economic city regions.
“It would involve significant departures from the type of devolution deals that we have successfully put in place elsewhere in terms of geography, governance and purpose.
“The mayoralty would cover the whole of Yorkshire – with a population of 5.5 million people and widely varying rural and urban areas with competing needs. Accordingly, the Government considers that the One Yorkshire devolution proposals do not meet our criteria for devolution.”
Responding to the letter from the Housing Communities and Local Government Secretary to the One Yorkshire devolution submission, One Yorkshire Leaders said: “We are disappointed by the Secretary of State’s response which exhibits a misunderstanding of the strength of our One Yorkshire proposals which build on a shared identity and an established global brand.
“His letter also fails to recognise the considerable work of the great partnership we have developed, cross-party, to develop ambitious plans which we calculate would add £30bn to the economy and bring the benefits of devolution to a region of five million people.
“We were told by Government to come up with devolution proposals which enjoy widespread support. In the One Yorkshire devolution proposals we have a deliverable plan backed by 18 authorities, the Sheffield City Region Mayor, business and trade unions.
“In response, the Secretary of State is now advocating solutions that his own Government has previously rejected. We are requesting an urgent meeting, face to face, to discuss the way forward.”
