Councils give green light to £4bn devolution deal

Local authorities, including Derby City Council, have given the go-ahead to devolution for the region.

Last week, the city council, along with Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council, each approved plans to create the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), which will come into existence in the spring.

EMCCA is set to bring in around £4 billion of funding for the region, alongside devolved powers for transport, skills and adult education, housing, the environment and economic development.

Now that all four council have agreed to EMCCA’s formation, the Government will take the deal before Parliament, as this is first of a new type of combined authority and requires new legislation.

If the legislation is passed in the coming weeks it would come into force by March, meaning the EMCCA will officially come into existence.

The inaugural election for East Midlands Mayor will take place on 2 May.

Councillor Baggy Shanker, leader of Derby City Council, said: “I welcome this milestone moment for the city of Derby and the wider region.

“The East Midlands Combined County Authority is set to bring much-needed investment into our area and is the only way to get any additional funding, after years of austerity.

“The ambition is for our region to – rightfully – be on an equal footing with the likes of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, so I am encouraging the residents of Derby to have their say on how the devolved powers and funding should be used next May.”

Councillor Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “Our shared vision is for the 2.2 million people who live and work in the heart of the country to be better connected and more prosperous – addressing years of historically low investment in our region.

“Devolution brings much more control over our own area. Rather than many major decisions being made for us in London, local people would have a say in the region’s priorities.

“This is just the start, and more benefits and funding are already starting to flow – such as the Government’s recent announcement of £1.5 billion local transport funding for the new East Midlands Mayor.

“The creation of a new mayoral combined county authority will unlock the benefits of the East Midlands devolution deal and bring improved public services and a brighter future for our residents.”