Councils back devolution but say area is ‘too small’ to have a mayor

HULL AND East Riding will not seek a new mayor under a potential devolution deal with Government as they are “too small”, leaders of the area’s two councils have confirmed.

The Government has announced it intended to invite Hull and East Riding to begin negotiations to agree a county devolution deal, with the potential to seek a mayoral deal at a later date.

Details were announced in the Levelling Up White Paper, which said a county deal could potentially be in place by this autumn. But a joint statement by the leaders of the Conservative-run East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Labour-run Hull City Council, Councillor Jonathan Owen and Councillor Daren Hale respectively, confirmed they would not be looking to establish a mayor for the region. Coun Hale said: “Our proposal is not for a mayoral deal, because our area is too small, but for a strong Combined Authority chaired by one of the council leaders on a rotating basis.

“Focusing on the key themes of connectivity, productivity, inclusivity and sustainability, we now look forward to progressing our discussions with government over the coming months.”

The Government announcement, which it is hoped could ultimately lead to multimillion-pound strategic investment in the region, follows the two councils confirming in March 2020 that they would work together on the creation of a regional devolution deal.

Coun Owen said: “This could enable us to realise significant benefits for our residents, our businesses and our wider economy.”