Coalition of willing set to meet in city

Leaders from around the region will meet in the city today to discuss the ongoing Yorkshire devolution saga.

Members of the so-called coalition of the willing will also be talking about issues including Brexit and housing in the latest of their regular meetings.

Stewart Arnold of the Yorkshire Party last night called for a region-wide vote on which form of devolution should proceed. THE STRATEGIC transport body for the North has moved a step closer to getting statutory status and becoming the first organisation of its kind in the country.

A committee of MPs has considered the legislation that would result in Transport for the North becoming a sub-national transport body.

The hearing was told that the draft order will mean the Government is obliged to consider its 30year strategic transport plan, to be published next week.

It will also have powers to work with local authorities to deliver and fund transport projects such as road improvements and smart ticketing.

During this week’s hearing, Transport Minister Jesse Norman defended the proposals after Labour’s Rachael Maskell said they did not go far enough. Formal Parliamentary approval is expected to be given next week, meaning TfN will get the new status on April 1, at the start of the financial year.