‘Historic moment’ for region as combined authority is born
NEW POWERS HANDED DOWN BY GOVERNMENT AND BILLIONS OF POUNDS IN INVESTMENT TO COME AS DEVOLUTION DEAL SIGNED INTO LAW
THE East Midlands is said to be entering a “new era” after a deal to bring billions of pounds into the region moved a step closer. An agreement to bring major new funding and powers to Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire was first signed in 2022, with a new East Midlands Combined Authority set to manage the extra money and power.
That authority is now officially a legal entity after the East Midlands devolution deal was signed into law on Tuesday. For now, the authority will be able to start hiring and making administrative decisions in preparation for the East Midlands Mayoral election in May.
Once the mayor is elected on May 2, the authority will be able to start making decisions across its range of new powers currently held by Westminster, including public transport and housing. The deal was originally signed by the leaders of Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council.
Councillor Ben Bradley, Nottinghamshire County Council’s leader, said: “Today the East Midlands Combined Authority becomes a legal entity, after the minister Jacob Young signed the deal in to law. £4bn of new investment is comwill ing our way, a new era for investment in our area, a huge opportunity for improving our infrastructure. “We’ve got major new funding, new powers passed to us from London so that decisions can be made locally, and a chance at a new start.”
The candidates for the mayoral election so far also include the Green Party’s Frank Adlingtonstringer and Councillor Alan Graves, the Reform Mayor of Derby.
Councillor David Mellen, Nottingham City Council’s leader, said: “This is an historic moment for the region, and I am proud to say we have delivered this deal for Nottingham and the millions who live across the whole devolution area.
The extra funding coming to the area and the devolved powers will make a huge difference to the region, bringing in more investment in skills and jobs and housing.
“This is all about improving local people’s lives and creating new opportunities for our communities across the East Midlands. We are already working closely together to steer the development for the new combined county authority and we continue to work closely to give us a stronger voice in the region and across the whole country.”
Councillor Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “The passing of this final piece of Government legislation is an historic milestone for Derbyshire and the wider region.
“It marks the moment when the East Midlands Combined County Authority comes into existence, bringing a £1.14bn devolution deal to our region to improve people’s lives through better housing, improved transport and new job opportunities.
“In many ways it’s only the beginning of this exciting journey and more benefits and funding are already starting to flow – such as the government’s announcement of £1.5bn local transport funding for the new East Midlands Mayor.
“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.”
Councillor Baggy Shanker, leader of Derby City Council, said: “The establishment of a combined county authority for our region is good news for the people of Derby.
“Devolution is bringing more powers and much-needed extra funding to a local level, replacing part of what we have lost due to austerity.
“I look forward to working with the combined county authority and our region’s first-ever Mayor to deliver transformational projects across the city of Derby and the wider region.”
We’ve got major new funding, new powers passed to us from London ... and a chance at a new start Ben Bradley