East Riding devolution deal will mean 'big ticket' funding in future says Leader

The Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council says a devolution deal will put the county at the front of the queue for 'big ticket' funding in the future.

The authority says the proposed deal, which remains very much in the early stages, is borne out of the Government’s desire to re-shape local government and would require greater partnership working with Hull City Council, something which many East Riding residents will find difficult to support.

Cllr Richard Burton said:

“There is no doubt that many of our residents have little appetite for a Combined Mayoral Authority (CMA) with Hull, but we must also recognise that a deal would bring some significant additional funding to this region.

“Whatever the outcome, no decision will be reached without a comprehensive information and consultation programme for our residents.”

The proposal is to create a CMA with the two unitary authorities of the East Riding and Hull City as equal partners but with an elite Cabinet consisting of the same number of members from each authority (three) with an elected Mayor at its head.

This new level of local government would focus on strategic economic opportunities in areas such as infrastructure, business support, inward investment, strategic planning and skills, managing funding for these so-called ‘big ticket’ projects.

In recent years, a large proportion of this high end Government funding has been managed by the Local Enterprise Partnerships and before that by Yorkshire Forward.

Cllr Burton said:

“It’s vital that everyone in the East Riding is made aware of the implications of such a deal. Government has made it clear that if we cannot achieve this new partnership then this area would quickly find itself at the back of the funding queue.

“There are several key points for people to consider

• The CMA would bring significant ‘gain share’ funding to our region over the next 30 years, an estimated £25m a year.

• Our East Riding Council, one of the best performing local authorities in the country, would remain very much as it is today, delivering the same services.

• Both East Riding and Hull City Council would retain their independent identities, their staff, their officers and their responsibilities.

• The Councils’ respective boundaries would remain unchanged.

Cllr Burton added:

“The word ‘merger’ has often been used to describe the proposals but it’s hardly a merger, more a route to greater partnership to secure more large-scale funding for our residents.

“Funding arrangements that would previously be mapped by civil servants in Whitehall and delivered through the LEP would be managed locally by the new CMA, giving us greater localised democracy on major issues.

Cllr Burton said:

“We find ourselves faced with few options. Government is insisting on change and for us it means a CMA with Hull, putting us at the front of the funding queue, or no deal, leaving the East Riding Council exactly as it is today but at the back of the queue.

“The path for our neighbouring authorities has already been made clear. For example, in North Yorkshire it is likely that the six district authorities will disappear and become one large York and North Yorkshire unitary. To the south, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire have chosen to go with a Greater Lincolnshire authority.

“Whatever the outcome, we will endeavour to inform our residents, consult with our residents and listen to our residents as negotiations with Hull continue.”