Council leader denies claims of secret talks with Ministers over devolution

EAST RIDING Council’s leader has said he is “frustrated” Government Ministers have not yet progressed devolution proposals but denied secret talks, as a row erupted over Hull merger “rumours”.

Coun Richard Burton told members at East Riding Council’s full meeting the pandemic had hampered progress on proposals for an East Yorkshire devolution deal.

The leader of the ruling Conservative group added the council was committed to a full consultation on the proposals floated for the new authority led by a directly-elected mayor. But a row erupted over the implications of the deal with Hull Council and over an opposition motion alleging rumours of a merger between the authorities.

Liberal Democrat opposition leader Coun David Nolan said he tabled the motion to highlight concerns that the authority would lack clout and raised questions over where it left existing councils.

Councillors passed an amended motion from the Conservatives stating the authority would never alter its boundaries with Hull without consulting residents.

But it passed after Coun Nolan was muted for procedural reasons, leading to claims of an “affront to democracy” from the opposition and of spreading false rumours from the Conservatives.

It comes as Local Government Minister Luke Hall said further talks on the proposals would not take place until after local elections in May.

Councillors heard proposals from the East Riding and Hull would see a new authority with responsibilities for the economy, infrastructure, transport and flooding, backed by around £1.1bn in yearly funding. Coun Burton said the proposals would “put more power in people’s hands”.

The leader said: “This deal would bring substantial new funding into the area and the Government is committed to devolution across Yorkshire.

“The majority of services will still be delivered by the two existing councils. It would put us further up the queue and increase our standing nationally and internationally, it’s about providing the region with the power to deliver for communities.”