Council chief hails ‘landmark step’ on road to devolution

NEIGHBOURS: The boundary between Hull and East Riding councils

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

The creation of a Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) has taken another significant step forward after the relevant order was laid by the Government in Parliament.

This formal, legal step allows closer working across the region on key strategic priorities to boost the local economy.

The MCA will be led by an elected mayor, with voters going to the polls on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Elections will take place every four years.

Hull City Council chief executive Matt Jukes said: “I am delighted that we have moved another step closer to unlocking vital empowerment and investment for our region, which are two of the many benefits that devolution will bring.

“The creation of the Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority will bring with it more powers to make big decisions locally.

“Representatives from the city council are helping to form the MCA, and we are working hard with our colleagues in the East Riding to make the preparations for the mayoral election.”

Alan Menzies, interim chief executive of East Riding Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see this landmark step in the devolution process.

“We look forward to working with the new authority to ensure that devolution delivers real benefits and unlocks investment for our region. 

“We will work closely with the new authority and Hull City Council to manage the election and to maximise the benefits of devolution in the years ahead.”

RIVALS: Councillors Mike Ross and Anne Handley, who are both standing for the new regional mayoralty, pictured together during a consultation on devolution

Both councils will retain their independence and continue to operate as separate councils alongside the new authority.

The new MCA will take on powers relating to transport, where it will become the Local Transport Authority for the area, allowing it to develop a single strategic transport plan for the North Bank of the Humber.

A £400m investment fund will be available to the MCA, money that is moving from central Government to decision-makers in the region.

So far, the two council leaders – councillors Mike Ross (Hull) and Anne Handley (East Riding) – are the only two people to have declared their candidacy for the mayoral election.

More information on devolution in Hull and East Yorkshire is available here.