The Mayor of the East Midlands has written to the Government to seek expanded devolution powers with an application for the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to be granted ’Established Status’.
Established Status can be awarded to devolved authorities which have been led by a Mayor for 18 months and can demonstrate a strong track record of performance and delivery. If the application is successful, it would mean EMCCA gains more powers in areas such as transport, employment, and housing, and the ‘right to request’ further powers for the region.
Established Status is a critical step for EMCCA because it enables the authority to work towards joined-up funding from government, an ‘integrated settlement’. Public resources are often wasted on bidding for separate pots of money. It will also reduce disruption when new infrastructure is delivered, as Mayor Claire and local council leaders will have more freedom to join up different types of investment.
It is also seen as a mark of trust with central government. Established Status will help EMCCA to access Government funding where it is earmarked specifically for Established Authorities. For example, current Established Authorities will receive £30 million each to support local innovation partnerships.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “With more powers and an integrated funding settlement to follow, we will be able to plan for the long-term, drive growth, and ensure opportunities are spread fairly across the region. Established Status means more decisions about transport, jobs, skills, and investment will now be made closer to home, by people who understand our region, leading to a stronger future for the East Midlands.”
