Combined Authority Plans Move Step Closer
Plans have moved forward for all of Derbyshire’s councils to work together as a combined authority to boost jobs and the local economy.
Councillor Anne Western, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said it was a “historic day” as the council’s cabinet approved plans to bring together Derbyshire’s eight district and borough councils with Derby City Council and us to:
- support local businesses to grow and prosper
- encourage investment in businesses, transport and new homes
- create more and better quality jobs.
If the proposals get the green light from all Derbyshire’s councils, it could also mean more government funding for the area.
A public consultation held to find out what local people thought of the plans received an overwhelming response and support compared to similar consultations carried out elsewhere in the country.
There were more than 750 responses to the consultation with 67 per cent saying they supported the idea and 70 per cent saying they agreed the geographical area of the Combined Authority should be Derby and Derbyshire.
Councillor Western said:
“This isn’t about merging local councils – each one would continue to run services in their own right.
“A combined authority is the key to unlocking a devolution deal from government and will put us on an equal footing with the big northern cities.
“It would mean councils across Derbyshire coming together to improve the local economy and conditions that support growth and create jobs for the good of the whole of Derby and Derbyshire. It will also mean we can access more Government funding to help do this.”
She added:
“We are setting the template for two-tier local government up and down the country. We’ve got huge ambitions we just need the tools to do the job properly.
“Working together on this proposal has already transformed relationships between councils across the county and I’m pleased that local people have recognised this is a brilliant opportunity to change the way councils do business and help us to work in a more efficient way.”
If the plans are approved by all 10 councils – including at a meeting of our Full Council on Wednesday 4 February 2015 – the proposals will be submitted during the next two weeks to central Government for further formal consultation with a view to setting up a combined authority in October.
