Call For Hull and East Yorkshire To Merge
A new report says the merge could benefit the local economy.
A new report is recommending that Hull and East Yorkshire councils should merge to help benefit the local economy.
Hull City Council set up a panel to look into the proposal and suggests that combining the two authorities would provide a big boost for the region and would ensure that both areas do not miss out on future economic opportunities.
The Chair of the Hull Commission, Tom Martin said:
“Our report seeks to provide Hull and the East Riding with a springboard for action and an acceleration and deepening of co-operation between the two councils. Hull has huge potential for economic development, the East Riding currently provides much of the space for this to happen and in turn Hull provides the key urban facilities for much of the whole area.
"We consider that the two areas are in fact an interlocking single system and should develop as such. In effect they have one heart but are of two minds, yet it is clear that one cannot exist without the other.
"We therefore consider that significant change is needed to develop single policies, strategies and operational management plans for the whole of the Hull and East Riding area. This would require bravery on the part of politicians and communities in both areas, but we believe that the end prize would be well worth the effort, giving them a significant single voice in the Northern Powerhouse.
"As part of the Northern Powerhouse and with devolution in the air, the opportunities are there for the taking. It is vital that Hull and the East Riding do not miss out.”
Hull City Council leader, Stephen Brady, said:
“We will consider this carefully as we continue to build our partnerships and dialogue with local authorities and other partners in the East Riding, the Humber and across Yorkshire and the North.
“With UK City of Culture, Siemens and other major investments now happening, the time is right to strengthen existing partnerships and to forge new ones so that Hull and our sub-region are able to seize the opportunities we have within the wider devolution agenda.
"Hull as a regional city works well with its counterparts and we are committed to attracting further investment and interest in to the city, and it is my priority to ensure that Hull plays its role within the Northern Powerhouse to the full and, as the Commission’s report highlights, our work with the East Riding, and across the Humber, is absolutely central to this.
“Hull already works very well with the East Riding in many areas and this has helped to secure significant benefits in terms of inward investment and jobs.
“We are now beginning to strengthen this coordinated approach and I believe that both councils are now committed to working together more closely on a wider range of issues. As this moves forward, I fully endorse the idea of developing a set of shared values that will underpin and demonstrate the strength of our partnership."
But East Riding Council did not take part in the report. Leader, Stephen Parnaby, said:
“The council notes the recommendations made by the commission regarding closer working on economic development, strategic planning and tourism and is pleased to confirm that the mechanisms for helping the region to prosper already exist and are even now delivering the outcomes necessary to support and realise the ambitions of local communities in Hull and the East Riding.
“As for the ongoing discussions around devolution, this council has and continues to hold constructive meetings with its neighbouring local authorities to secure the best possible deal for our residents, local communities and businesses.
“The joint bid with York and North Yorkshire was felt to offer the best possible outcomes and our discussions will continue with our partners and Government about going forward.”