Region benefits from early devolution cash boost

Millions of pounds in funding, made possible because of plans for devolution in the East Midlands, has been agreed and will be spent on improving housing, transport and the skills of local people.

In total, £18 million of funding is being offered to Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham as part of early investment to the area during devolution negotiations – and is not dependent on devolution proposals going ahead.

The latest funding amount of £9.9 million has now been approved and will help councils to carry out retrofit work on homes to make them more energy efficient.

Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council have been working with the Government on devolution plans including a package of local powers and funding worth £1.14 billion, from 2024.

Programmes which have already been approved, and are underway or completed, include £1.22 million for more affordable housing in Derby, where there is currently a shortage, to provide 15 extra social houses to be let at an affordable rent.

It will mean less reliance on temporary bed and breakfast placements and shorter waiting times for longer-term accommodation.

In the county, £750,000 was given for a new cycling and walking route connecting Markham Vale to Staveley and £1.5 million for a new roundabout on the A6 at Fairfield, in Buxton.

Councillor Baggy Shanker, leader of Derby City Council, said: “£As a new leader coming into the devolution space, it’s good to see actual benefits being realised in the region, especially ones that are able to support some of our lower-income households and families.

“These schemes signal steps in the right direction, both in terms of securing much-needed funding – especially relevant for Derby, whose core spending power is the lowest in our region – and also decision making.

“Decisions about our area and our communities should be made by locally elected and locally accountable representatives; for too long too many decisions affecting too many people have been made by too few.”

Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “We’ve been pursuing a devolution deal to bring more investment to the region and this early funding pot to improve housing, transport and skills is most welcome.”