Devolution deal announced for Hull and East Yorkshire
It was announced today in the Chancellor's autumn statement
Investment worth £400m, a rail electrification commitment and support for any further expansion of Hull’s Siemens plant are all in the draft East Yorkshire devolution deal unveiled today (Wednesday, November 22).
The deal, announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during today’s Autumn Statement, also includes £15m for transport, flooding and coastal erosion and new affordable homes in 2024-5.
Hull City Council’s Cllr Mike Ross and East Riding Council’s Cllr Anne Handley both welcomed the deal which has come after much hard work.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the historic agreement would help East Yorkshire unleash its economic potential and put decision-making in the hands of local communities.
The deal was among four new devolution pacts announced today by the chancellor.
Proposals include £13.34m-a-year in investment funding during the next 30 years, £400m in total.
There would be up to £15m for transport, flooding and coastal erosion programmes including a coastal regeneration project for the East Riding.
A further £5m would go towards supporting local priorities for economic growth next year, including any future expansion of Siemens Gamesa at Alexander Dock.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund for the area would be planned and delivered from 2025-6.
The new combined authority would have powers over local skills, adult education spending, regeneration and affordable housing.
Plans for housing include £4.6m to build new homes on brownfield land in 2024-5.
The combined authority would also have a multi-million pound transport budget.
Proposals include rail electrification commitment for lines between Hull and Leeds and Sheffield as part of the area’s integration into Northern Powerhouse Rail.
The authority will be headed by a directly-elected mayor with voters going to the polls in mid-2025 if the deal is approved.
The announcement comes ahead of extraordinary council meetings in Hull and the East Riding set for Thursday, December 21 which will decide whether to proceed with consultations on the deal.
LDRS understands an eight-week consultation will then take place in the new year when local people, businesses and organisations will be able to have their say on the deal.
Responses will be looked at in April and May and approval would be sought from the levelling up secretary in June assuming there is no major opposition or sticking points.
If it is approved then powers would be devolved to the area’s new combined authority from January 2025 and a mayoral election would be held the following May.
It comes three years after devolution proposals for East Yorkshire were first floated.
The deal announced today is the third version proposed since 2020 and is the one that has come the closest to becoming a reality.
Hull and the East Riding are the last parts of Yorkshire without a deal.
Cllr Ross said the lack of a deal up until now had seen the area left behind:
The council leader said: “By taking this important step, we will be helping boost jobs and growth, supporting our residents, local businesses and the city in general.
“There is a lot of work to do between now and when any devolution may take place, but I would urge everyone to look at what is being offered by the government and get behind the deal.
“This is a chance to help the area grow, something that Hull and East Yorkshire desperately needs and I am determined to help make happen.”
Cllr Handley said she was thrilled to be able to share the details of the deal with the public.
The East Riding leader said: “I have said all along that a Mayoral Combined Authority is absolutely the right way forward for our region, but that it must be the right deal.
“I am confident we now have the right deal to begin our devolution journey and I urge everyone to get involved in the consultation and get behind this deal.
“Over time, we will be able to negotiate new deals, as other devolved regions have, ensuring we have more funding and power to make important decisions at a local level and put East Yorkshire in control of its own destiny.”
Mr Gove said the proposals marked a step change for the region.
The minister said: “I am delighted that Hull and East Yorkshire will now benefit from the same powers and devolved budgets that their neighbours are already benefiting from.
“This deal will enable Hull and East Yorkshire to unleash its full economic potential and build upon its strengths in manufacturing and health technologies.”