Leaders make their debut at Annual Business Event

This year saw two political leaders make their debuts on the Annual Business Event stage.

In a Q&A with Marvin Cooke OBE, Professor of Enterprise at the University of Derby, Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands and figurehead of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, and Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council and also Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, shared their thoughts on the future of both the city and the region.

During the interview Claire was asked to explain what her role entails – and the powers she has.

She said: “Many of you will have seen devolution take place in other cities: whether it be Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield or London.

“We’ve been very much left behind in this region over the last few years. What devolution brings for us is not just about investment coming closer to us but it’s the opportunity to make decisions that are right for us and not determined by Whitehall and Westminster.

“So, essentially my job is to drive growth in the local economy and to make sure we get the investment.

“To look at how we build our economy – but also with specific areas around building a transport authority. We don’t have one – and I think we suffer as a result of that.

“We have responsibility for net zero – and making sure how we develop is a greener economy.

“We have some responsibility for some aspects of housing and skills.

“What we saw on the white paper for devolution is that the Government wants to see more powers devolved, so we are able to decide what we need for our area.

“Two things I’m pushing for, along with other mayors, is that I want this region to get an integrated settlement – instead of lots of single pots of funding, we get one pot, which offers more flexibility and more certainty in the long term.

“The second is skills. The Government is not yet in the place where they want to give mayors and combined authorities power over skills in their local area. We need those.”

When asked whether adding another tier of government could have the potential to “slow things down”, Mayor Claire said: “I think this is about being more strategic.

“Instead of having two cities and counties – and all of the districts and boroughs within those – competing and working against each other, we will collectively be greater than the sum of our parts.”

When asked whether she was in favour of local government reorganisation, she said: “Yes, broadly, I do think devolution can also come with local government reorganisation. What that looks like is still to be determined.

“At the moment, I have set out a couple of principles. One, is no change to the combined authority boundaries and second, we need to get it right for us.

“What I mean is that it needs to be done for the right reasons. It means that any local authority has got to be economically viable.”

Marvin then asked Nadine about the many exciting new developments happening in Derby this year.

She said: “It is our ‘olympic’ year this year – and there’s lots to be excited about.

“We have Becketwell Live opening in the spring, which is a great opportunity to increase footfall and create vibrancy in the city centre.

“The Market Hall will also be opening in the spring, which is a long-awaited project finally coming to completion.

“Osnabruck Square will offer new outside space, filtering into the Market Hall, which has been beautifully and lovingly restored.

“We’ve got some really exciting stallholders lined up. It will be a space for people to take time out and enjoy.

“And we also have the Business School opening up this year, which will really cement the student population in the city centre.”

It is now 12 years since the fire that closed Derby’s Assembly Rooms. Nadine was asked what the latest plans were for the building, which is yet to be demolished.

Nadine said: “We are really, really close to being able to share with you what is going to be happening in that space.

“We moved the timeline of the demolition, so we make sure we get it right.

“The cultural sector is struggling right now – and it’s vital that the space we fill is right for the city and compliments what we already have.

“But what I can say is that it will be ‘work, rest and play’ in that space. The ‘work’ element will be Derby Works, which will be Grade A office space, the ‘rest’ will be a four-star hotel and ‘play’ will be the city’s ‘living room’ – Derby Made – a space for everyone to relax and eat.”

Marvin then quizzed Nadine on the social mobility challenges the city faces.

She said: “There is a real disparity in Derby between those in the highest paid jobs and other people living in the city. Part of that is opportunity.

“Through the work done by Claire’s Inclusive Growth Commission, we have found that 90% of the top paying jobs in Derbyshire are taken by people from outside of the region.

“Part of what we’re doing at the city council is the Derby Promise, which aims to unlock the potential of our children and young people by raising their ambitions.”

Finally, Marvin asked Claire and Nadine how businesses in the room can help them achieve her goals.

She said: “We’ve got all of the assets in this region with the investment zones, freeport and a council that is showing vision and ambition.

“We need ongoing investment and a commitment to work with us on skills, so we have the right skills across the region.

“We also need to think how we make that growth inclusive. The Inclusive Growth Commission will be engaging with and listening to businesses about how you can help us, so we can understand what it will take to drive not just Derby but the region as a whole.”

Nadine said: “I will have succeeded in my role as leader of the council if I see the city of Derby thriving, busy and buzzing – a place where people want to visit, to work and live. That is my mission.

“What I ask of you is to play your part in Team Derby. We all love our city – it’s important that we shout about it and champion it.

“There are people out there who will do Derby down – don’t be one of them!”