‘Momentous decision’: Public to have their say on devolution

COMBINED AUTHORITY: The Hull and East Riding border

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

A public consultation on a proposed devolution deal for Hull and the East Riding will be launched next month.

Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council both held extraordinary full meetings today, at which it was decided to go ahead with the consultation.

The two local authorities have been in talks with the Government about the creation of a combined authority led by what would be the region’s first directly elected mayor and the proposed deal was announced in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement in November.

Following today’s meetings, residents, businesses and other organisations will now have the opportunity to have their say on the deal to create the Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (HEYMCA). Should the public back the deal, a mayoral election is expected to take place in 2025.

The eight-week consultation will begin across Hull and the East Riding on Tuesday, January 2. More details on how people can have their say will follow.

Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “I’m pleased the councils have agreed that we can put this new deal to the people of Hull and East Yorkshire.

“This means they will, rightly, have their chance to have their say on what is on offer. 

“In January, people will be asked whether they support the devolution deal that brings new investment, extra jobs and more homes to the region.

“While Hull has been a forgotten city for so long, this deal provides new opportunities for residents in Hull and the East Riding. 

“The council has demonstrated with this momentous decision that it backs the deal, but it is for the public who live and work here to now have their say and the consultation across January and February is the chance for them to do so.

“This deal secures £400 million of game-changing investment to transform and move our city forward, but we have said all along that a deal will only progress if public support exists.”

Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This is a huge step in our journey towards devolution and I’d like to thank all the councillors in the East Riding and Hull who have agreed to let the public have their say on this proposal.

“Devolution would bring hundreds of millions of pounds into our region and give us the power to decide how to spend it, instead of having those decisions made in Westminster.

“Other regions all around us are already reaping the benefits and we can’t afford to miss out any longer.

“I urge everyone in the East Riding and Hull to back this deal and help us deliver a brighter future of our region; one where we are in control of our own destiny.”