Rallying call issued to voters ahead of first-ever mayoral election

With just one week to go before the polls open for the region’s first ever mayoral election, Derby City Council has issued a rallying call urging people to get out and cast their vote.

On Thursday 2 May, people living in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, will choose who will head up the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

Working with local councils, business representatives and stakeholders, the new mayor will have the powers and responsibilities to make decisions across the whole EMCCA area.

Emily Feenan, electoral registration officer at Derby City Council, said: “When I say that every vote matters, I really do mean it – in a previous local election, a seat was won by just one vote.

“This year, voters will be electing the first ever East Midlands Mayor and their Police and Crime Commissioner.

“These elected representatives will be leading and shaping services across the region so your vote is your voice on how you’d like those services delivered.

“I’d urge you to mark the date in your diary, make sure you have your ID ready, and get out to vote.”

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.

However, local authorities will still exist as individual councils providing local services.

Similar to mayoral regions like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, it is estimated that EMCCA will unlock around £4 billion of funding over the coming years.

Councils in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire approved the creation of EMCCA in December. It then came into being in March after the final legal step was completed.

Thanks to devolution, 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.

Derby City Council recently agreed to put forward Infinity Park Derby for Investment Zone status.

Polling stations will be open on Thursday 2 May from 7am to 10pm, with voters urged to bring with them an accepted form of photo ID.

Once the polls close, all the ballot boxes will be taken to Derby Arena, where the votes will be counted on Friday 3 May.