The results of a consultation on devolution proposals for the East Midlands have been published, showing substantial support for the plans.
Local leaders are backing devolution to promote economic growth, secure more investment in our area, for more and better jobs, and for better transport, skills training, housing, and an enhanced greener environment. It would also mean more power in local hands.
Thousands of people took part in the consultation, which took place from November 2022 to January 2023. It was open to residents, businesses, community and voluntary groups, and other employers in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham.
There were 4,869 responses to the consultation overall, from members of the public and people answering on behalf of an organisation. The number of responses was higher than similar consultations on devolution in other areas.
The majority backed the proposals:
- 53% agreed with the proposals for transport, compared to 35% disagreeing.
- 52% agreed with the proposals for skills, compared to 32% disagreeing.
- 51% agreed with the proposals for reducing carbon and improving the environment, compared to 33% disagreeing.
- 51% agreed with the proposals for public health, compared to 33% disagreeing.
- 46% agreed with the proposals for homes, compared to 39% disagreeing.
The only area which was more balanced was in terms of the proposals for governance, with 42% agreeing and 45% disagreeing. Comments tended to centre around the need for a regional mayor. Having a regional mayor is a condition set by the Government for a level three deal, which offers the most powers and highest funding.
The Government has offered new powers to Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham, along with at least £1.14 billion of funding, through the proposed creation of an East Midlands Combined County Authority. A formal proposal was developed, outlining how devolution would work in the area, which was the focus of the consultation.
Historically, the East Midlands has often been an area of low Government funding, compared to many other areas of the UK. If the proposals for devolution go ahead, a guaranteed funding stream of £38 million a year for 30 years could help to reverse this trend.
The leaders of Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council, and Nottingham City Council all signed up to work on a devolution deal in August 2022 at Rolls Royce in Derby, following an announcement from the Government that a package of new powers and funding, worth £1.14 billion, were available for the two counties and two cities.
The four councils then worked on a more detailed proposal, including more information about how devolution would work in our area, which was the focus of the consultation.
