Milestone for combined authority
MINISTER ENDORSEMENT PAVES WAY FOR MAYORAL ELECTION
THE final legal procedures to establish the East Midlands Combined County Authority were completed and enacted into law yesterday.
Jacob Young MP, serving as the Levelling Up Minister, endorsed the regulations necessary for the creation of the EMCCA.
This milestone paves the way for residents across the region to participate in the inaugural election of the first East Midlands Mayor, which is set to take place on May 2.
The inception of the combined county authority marks the fruition of a significant devolution deal.
A 30-year-long investment scheme, valued at £1.14billion, will grant the region devolved powers concerning transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development, and the pursuit of net zero emissions.
The devolution deal was negotiated with government officials in 2022, and covers the areas of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham, all of which will receive a chunk of the fund.
The East Midlands devolution initiative mirrors existing frameworks found in other mayoral regions like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, headed by Andy Street and Andy Burnham respectively.
Projections indicate the region stands to unlock approximately £4billion in funding over the forthcoming years. Building upon this foundation, the Government also allocated approximately £1.5bn in transport funding for the East Midlands Mayor in October 2023.
Moreover, the East Midlands is poised to establish an ‘Investment Zone,’ bolstered by £160 million in support over a decade, alongside tax incentives aimed at fostering business growth and catalysing economic development.
Collaboration between the Government, EMCCA and other stakeholders remains integral in shaping the East Midlands Investment Zone. According to them, the anticipated benefits will bring in hundreds of millions of pounds of private investment and create thousands of jobs – including priority development sites and specific interventions to drive cluster growth, ahead of final confirmation of the plans. The region has already received £18 million in funding during devolution negotiations, earmarked for enhancing local housing, transport infrastructure, and skills training programmes. Additionally, ongoing financial support from annual Whitehall budgets and spending reviews appears to promise further investment for the region. Leaders of various councils involved all reacted positively to the latest developments. Councillor Baggy Shanker, leader of Derby City Council, said: “Devolution is bringing more powers and much-needed extra funding to a local level, replacing part of what we have lost due to austerity.”
Cllr Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, added: “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.”