‘Let the people decide on powers for region’
Councils call for a public vote on devolution plans
SOUTH YORKSHIRE residents could be given an opportunity to weigh in on the future of devolution in the region as council leaders seek a solution to the current stand-off over the prospect of a pan-Yorkshire deal.
Councillors in Barnsley and Doncaster will next week be asked to approve plans for a mini-referendum in an effort to determine which of the two devolution models have the public’s support.
The move forms the latest development in the region’s devolution saga, after the apparent collapse of a £900m Sheffield City Region deal.
Both Barnsley and Doncaster council leaders have made it clear that they favour a One Yorkshire option, but argue local people should be given a say on what will be a “generation changing decision”.
“I have made it plain that I personally believe a wider Yorkshire deal is the better solution for Doncaster, its people, communities and businesses,” said Doncaster mayor Ros Jones.
“However... this is one of the biggest questions Doncaster has faced and I want the voice of local people to be heard.”
“The debate has been going on for many months and it’s clear that there are different perspectives across the city region and a difference of opinion with central government,” added Barnsley council leader Sir Stephen Houghton.
“While this decision is not legally binding on the council... we will do our best to respect the outcome and do all we can to make sure that it’s achieved.”
South Yorkshire council leaders first signed up to the Sheffield deal back in 2015, with the backing of the then-Chancellor George Osborne.
The settlement showed signs of faltering back in July after Ms Jones published a letter expressing her doubts about the suitability of the bid.
This led to a souring of the relationship with Sheffield council leader Julie Dore, but the crunch point came two months later when Ms Jones and Sir Stephen voted against proceeding with the next stages of the deal.
Since then, 17 local authorities in the wider Yorkshire area have come together to push for a region-wide agreement – but Sheffield and Rotherham remain firmly committed to the original bid.
Local Government ministers have also made it clear that they want to see the South Yorkshire deal succeed, and mayoral elections are still due to take place next year. However, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has agreed to meet with local leaders and MPs to discuss the alternative proposals, and ministers have indicated they would be willing to consider another Yorkshire deal in future.
Barnsley and Doncaster councillors are due to discuss the devolution poll during a meeting of their respective councils next Thursday.
If approved, the vote is expected to take place some time in December.
THE FACT that Yorkshire – Britain’s largest county – was the notable absentee when seven regional and city-wide mayors met for the first time adds even greater urgency to ongoing attempts to break this area’s devolution deadlock.
Not only should a region as important, and dynamic, as Yorkshire be present at such gatherings, but this area’s residents do, in fact, expect their leaders to be leading the debate and ensuring the North harnesses its untapped economic potential.
As such, Doncaster and Barnsley Councils deserve credit for seizing the initiative and proposing a community poll that will enable voters to decide whether their best interests rest with Sheffield CityRegion or the One Yorkshire option encompassing the whole county.
The two authorities are at the centre of the increasingly polarising debate that continues to be waged while rival regions forge ahead with their own prosperity agendas, and such a vote, if approved by councillors next week, will provide a strong indication of the preference of the most important people of all – local residents.
It is their livelihoods which are the central issue and this type of vote gives the electorate a chance to have its say. There are risks. Some will question the £120,000 cost (much cheaper than a fully fledged referendum or the £2m cost of a potentially enforced South Yorkshirewide mayoral election next May). Turnout could be low and even the politicians themselves struggle to fathom some of the more complex policies at stake.
As such, it’s all the more reason for local leaders to highlight the issues and engage with the public positively and constructively. For, if they do so, it will clarify Doncaster and Barnsley’s positions and, crucially, raise awareness across Yorkshire about why this county needs to get a move on so it does not miss out on priceless opportunities.