Final go-ahead given for regional mayor and combined authority

The last legal step to establish the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has been signed and made into law.

Last week, Jacob Young MP, Levelling Up Minister, signed the regulations that allow for EMCCA to be created.

It means that residents across the region will get to vote for the very-first East Midlands Mayor, with elections taking place on Thursday 2 May.

The new combined county authority is all thanks to a devolution deal, which will see the region benefit from a £1.14 billion investment package, spread over a 30-year period, alongside devolved powers around transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development and net zero.

Councillor Baggy Shanker, leader of Derby City Council, said: “The establishment of a combined county authority for our region is good news for the people of Derby.

“Devolution is bringing more powers and much-needed extra funding to a local level, replacing part of what we have lost due to austerity.

“I look forward to working with the combined county authority and our region’s first-ever mayor to deliver transformational projects across the city of Derby and the wider region.”

Plans for East Midlands devolution are similar to those already in place in other mayoral regions, like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, and it is estimated that the region will unlock around £4 billion of funding over the coming years.

The East Midlands devolution deal, agreed with government ministers in 2022, will see Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham benefit from a £1.14 billion investment fund. All four councils approved the creation of EMCCA in December.

In October, the Government announced around £1.5 billion in transport funding for the East Midlands Mayor.

Thanks to devolution plans, the East Midlands has also been invited to establish an ‘Investment Zone’, which will attract £160 million of support over 10 years, with tax incentives for businesses that will help boost economic growth right across the region.

Councillor Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “The passing of this final piece of government legislation is an historic milestone for Derbyshire and the wider region.

“It marks the moment when the East Midlands Combined County Authority comes into existence, bringing a £1.14 billion devolution deal to our region to improve people’s lives through better housing, improved transport and new job opportunities.

“In many ways, it’s only the beginning of this exciting journey and more benefits and funding are already starting to flow – such as the Government’s announcement of £1.5 billion local transport funding for the new East Midlands Mayor.

“Year-on-year the new combined county authority will bring even more funding to our region through a strong, collective voice and a national platform.”

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

For more information on the election, visit http://www.eastmidlandsdevolution.co.uk .