Further devolution talks for East Riding and Hull
Both Councils will meet on Tuesday with the Local Government Minister.
East Riding Council and Hull City Council are set for further devolution talks next week, the former’s leader said.
East Riding Council Leader Cllr Jonathan Owen said talks between both authorities and Local Government Minister Luke Hall were set for Tuesday, August 3.
The leader added Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick has also floated ‘County Deals’ which the council wanted more clarity on, but not if it led to a merger with Hull.
Cllr David Nolan, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group, said such deals were a “concern” if mergers were involved and that they raised “more questions than answers”.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled proposals for the deals, which offer areas outside cities similar powers to metro mayors, earlier this month.
Downing Street stated they would be “bespoke” and give areas more control over transport, skills and local economies, with more details set to be unveiled in the autumn.
Cllr Owen told East Riding members meeting in Bridlington Spa Tuesday’s talks would focus on a combined East Yorkshire mayoral authority, currently the “only game in town”.
The Conservative leader said:
“It has never been my intention to merge, no way at any time.
“That’s not what the government’s calling for and it’s not something I’d support.
“Our submissions have sat on ministers’ desks and we at last have a meeting on Tuesday.
“But while these discussions continue we want clarity on whether there are other solutions.
“I think the County Deals have been proposed to appease some of the southern councils.
“As we move forward we want to know what options we have, but we’re going to be fighting for what’s right for the East Riding.”
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Cllr Denis Healy said he felt the deals were a sign that the “mood music” from government was changing on devolution.
He added he did not want the East Riding to be “pushed down a route we don’t want to go down.”
Cllr Owen also told members the council’s Public Health Director Andy Kingdom was now “cautiously optimistic” that a recent surge in coronavirus cases was abating.
He added a “push” was needed to get residents vaccinated, especially younger groups with 27 per cent of 18 to 29 year olds still without their first dose and 77 per cent without their second.
The leader also said the council would be providing vouchers to families eligible for free school meals during the summer holidays and had a range of activities planned for children.
Adults and Health Portfolio Holder Cllr Vanessa Walker told members the council was supporting the local care sector following a rise in demand for home care and a fall for residential since February.
Councillors also backed two Liberal Democrat motions, including one calling for tougher laws on pet thefts.
Another, calling for the council to look into patients being told to leave GP surgeries due to being out of their catchment area, was referred for examination by committee.
A motion from Cllr Nolan calling for the option of returning to the committee structure for the council to be looked into was defeated.
Cllr Nolan said the current cabinet system left the East Riding with a “democratic deficit” by concentrating decision making in portfolio holders’ hands.
Cllr Owen said it had “served us well”, adding Sheffield City Council’s recent move to a committee system cost them £1.3m and others that switched were looking at moving back.
A motion to receive cabinet minutes on a decision over launching a Pay and Reward Strategy to address recruitment problems of council staff with regret was also defeated.
Cllr Nolan said it was the “wrong time” to spend £2m on the review but Cllr Owen said the East Riding had to “grasp the nettle” and that it was needed to attract the “best staff”.