The government has proposed a devolution deal for the East Midlands that will bring £1.14bn over 30 years to the region, with powers to improve transport, regeneration and employment.
The deal will create a combined authority, covering Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham, under the leadership of a directly elected mayor.
Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark, Ben Bradley MP, Nottinghamshire County Council leader, Barry Lewis, Derbyshire County Council leader, Chris Poulter, Derby City Council leader, and David Mellen, Nottingham City Council leader, agreed to the devolution deal in principle on 30 August.
Clark said: “Today is a momentous one for the people of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire as we sign our landmark devolution deal, placing power and funding into the hands of the local leaders who know their areas the best.”
The deal includes an extra £16m for new homes on brownfield land and control over a range of budgets, including adult education.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said the new mayor will be granted powers and the ability to designate mayoral development areas and establish Mayoral Development Corporations to promote growth and build new homes.
In a joint statement, all four city and county council leaders said the deal will create “more and better jobs through greater investment in our area, with increased economic growth, better transport, housing, skills training, and an enhanced greener environment, as we move towards being carbon neutral”.
If the devolution deal is formally approved, the government will pass legislation bringing a new combined authority for the East Midlands into existence. The first mayoral election could then take place in May 2024.
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