Devolution consultation under way

DEVOLVED POWERS: Hull City Council’s Guildhall

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

An eight-week consultation on a proposed devolution deal for Hull and the East Riding is now under way.

The proposal is to create a Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA), led by a directly elected mayor.

The leaders of Hull and East Riding councils are urging all residents, businesses and other organisations to read the proposal and give their feedback.

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 library or customer service centre in Hull and the East Riding where they can get help completing the survey using a computer or completing the questionnaire on paper.

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, while 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.

‘GET INVOLVED’: Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding Council

“Now is the time for the public to let us know what they think.”

Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding 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.”

Hull’s opposition Labour group have criticised the proposed devolution deal, saying it will add another layer of local government that is not needed.