Residents in our region can now have their say on devolution proposals for East Yorkshire and Hull.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council have this week launched an eight-week consultation on the proposal to create a Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA), led by a directly elected mayor. In summary the proposed devolution deal does not mean the two councils would merge, only that they would collaborate on certain issues that affect everyone in the region. The Hull and East Yorkshire MCA would have powers to invest in areas such as transport, skills and housing, as well as an additional £400m of devolved funding over the next 30 years to invest in local priorities. The councils and the delivery of day-to-day responsibilities would remain separate, and local services would not be affected. The leaders of both councils are urging all residents, businesses and other organisations to read the proposal and give their feedback.
Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “It’s really important that people take part in this consultation and have their say. “This devolution deal will bring in hundreds of millions of pounds to this region - much more than just £400 million. “Most importantly, it means we will no longer be left behind. Other regions all around us are reaping the benefits of devolution and we are missing out. This deal gets us out there on the national and international stage. “But we need you, our residents, to get involved and come on this journey with us. So, today I am asking everyone across the region to take part in this consultation, back the deal, and help shape the future of Hull and East Yorkshire.”
From now until February 27, people can read the devolution proposal and give their feedback on each part of the deal at heydevolution.com. Residents can also visit any East Riding library, including those locally in Goole, Howden, Snaith, South Cave and Market Weighton, or any Hull library or customer service centre, where they can get help completing the survey using a computer or completing the questionnaire on paper. There will also be a series of drop-in events across the region, where people will be able find out more about the devolution proposal. Dates, locations and times for these will be announced in due ccourse online at heydevolution.com as well as on both councils' social media accounts. Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “This is an exciting milestone in our devolution journey and we urge everyone in the region to get involved and have their say. “Securing £400 million of game-changing investment will help to transform our region and move forward our city, whilst also giving us more local power to drive that ourselves. “Both councils are backing these proposals, but we are clear the residents in the area need to support them too. “Now is the time for the public to let us know what they think.” Following the conclusion of the public consultation, analysis and consideration of the consultation results will be conducted throughout March, with decisions taken on whether to progress the devolution deal. If the decision is made to progress with the deal, a Submission to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities would be made in April. It is then proposed that Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire councils would consider and approve draft order before the Secretary of State lays the order to Parliament after consideration during the Autumn months. Should the path progress as proposed the order for the creation of the HEY MCA and combined authority establishment would take place in winter 2024/25, before the mayoral election in May 2025.
Councillor Anne Handley says the devolution deal will mean the region is “no longer left behind”. (04-01-109 SU)
