Devolution: Council leader unconvinced by mayor-led model

NEGOTIATING: Hull City Council leader Mike Ross

By Rick Lyon

City council leader Mike Ross has admitted he is “not wildly enthusiastic” about a devolution deal which would see Hull and the East Riding have an elected mayor, despite negotiations over a possible announcement in next month’s Autumn Statement.

Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council are in talks with the Government about the creation of a combined authority led by what would be the region’s first directly elected mayor.

The agreement by the councils to negotiate over the mayoral model preferred by the Government is a shift from the concept of a combined authority with rotating political leadership and no elected mayor.

However, Councillor Ross has made it clear he is still far from convinced the mayoral model is the best way forward, whilst accepting it may be the route the region has to take under the current Conservative Government.

He told The Hull Story: “There’s a desire on the Government’s part to announce a deal in principle as part of the Autumn Statement. That would require the discussions that are taking place now to show some movement in the coming weeks, and for some ground to be given.

“As Liberal Democrats, we’re not wildly enthusiastic about the mayoral model form of devolution. But we’ve also come to a point of recognising that devolution is something that’s needed for this region and Hull is in danger of being left behind if it doesn’t get something over the line.

“It was very clear from the Government that the only devolution model they were progressing at speed was the mayoral one. For the first year of our administration, we continued with discussions about the non-mayoral model. That would have been a perfectly good way of progressing with it, and it still would be, but it wouldn’t come with the extra levels of funding that the mayoral model brings.

‘IT’S ABOUT WHAT’S BEST FOR THE REGION’: Councillor Mike Ross in his office

“That’s how the Government has decided to do it. Do I think that’s the right way? No, I think it should be down to what the local areas on the ground think works best for them. But the reality is, the Government sets the rules.

“So, while we’re not the biggest advocates of the mayoral model, we’re pragmatic enough to realise that to get anything across the line with this Government, it has to be this.

“Of course, things can change. We recognise there could be a change of Government in the next year or so and, if that’s the case, we could be talking again about how devolution looks for this area.”

Coun Ross insisted that, despite his reservations about the mayoral model of devolution and the possibility of a change of Government, it was right to enter into – and continue with – the current negotiations.

“This is the Government of the day, and you should work with the Government of the day to get the best for your area,” he said. “Once that Government changes, then you work with the new one.

“We’re not the biggest fans of the mayoral model. There are concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of one individual. There are also practical issues around the fact it would be a mayor for just two council areas, unlike elsewhere where it is more strategic, and they could get too involved in day-to-day issues.

“But if that’s what’s needed to get the best deal for our region, then fine. We accept that. However, we need to be absolutely clear about what we’re going to get under the best possible deal.

“It’s also still worth us recognising there could be a change of Government, and that could change this process.

DEBATE: The best devolution deal for Hull and the East Riding is under discussion

“Even if a deal in principle is announced in November, there are still many hurdles before a mayoral model is set up.

“The earliest that a mayoral election could take place would be 2025. A General Election has to happen before then, so there could well be a change.

“So, although things are progressing, if there’s an incoming new Government, there might be an opportunity to change again.”

Coun Ross said the current negotiations are centred around the level of investment and other benefits the region would see, should the two authorities and the Government reach an agreement.

“For us, these discussions with the Government are about what else they can give us to show that it’s beneficial for Hull and the East Riding to go with a mayoral model,” he said.

“Getting a mayor shouldn’t be the reward in itself, it should be about unlocking the economic benefits for Hull and the East Riding for real transformational change.

“We need to know what the Government is going to give us that will bring investment and new jobs to this area to change people’s lives.

“We want to see devolution that works for this area, but we’re being sensible and serious about it. It’s about getting what’s best for our area.”