Minister insists he is ‘keeping an open mind’ on devolution, during factory visit

LOCAL GOVERNMENT Secretary James Brokenshire has insisted he is “keeping an open mind” about Yorkshire devolution and was “reflecting” on the detailed economic document submitted by the region’s political leaders.

Speaking yesterday during a visit to North Yorkshire, where he officially opened a new factory which will create 2,000 new modular homes a year, Mr Brokenshire said he was “well aware” of the One Yorkshire agenda backed by 18 of the region’s council leaders.

Last month, supporters of an agreement that would see vital powers and resources transferred to a single Yorkshire mayoral authority submitted documents setting out the £30bn-ayear boost such a deal could provide the region’s economy.

Earlier this week, leaders from West Yorkshire held “good-natured and constructive” talks with Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry about devolution.

The Government has previously said it would not entertain a One Yorkshire deal until the Sheffield City Region agreement signed in 2015 was fully implemented.

The £30m-a-year agreement collapsed last year after Doncaster and Barnsley councils pulled out in favour of a One Yorkshire deal. Mr Brokenshire told The Yorkshire Post: “I am well aware of the One Yorkshire agenda and I want to reflect on that plan but my focus is on seeing that the Sheffield city deal comes to fruition and that hundreds of millions of pounds of investment is unlocked.

“I want to support the elected mayor of Sheffield to unlock that potential. I want to see the elected Mayor of Sheffield get on with the job and I want to support him. I am keeping an open mind about devolution.”

Modular housebuilder Ilke Homes officially opened the doors to its first modular housing factory in Flaxby, near Knaresborough, yesterday with the visit of Mr Brokenshire, who was appointed this year.