Member Article

Nick Clegg announces devolution deal for Sheffield

Nick Clegg has visited Sheffield to confirm a deal giving the city greater control over transport, skills, housing and business support.

This deal for Sheffield will see the city introduce Oyster-style travel cards, and local councils and businesses will have control over the majority of the skills budget for the area for the first time.

He is confirming greater powers for Sheffield a month after the Northern Futures Summit, which brought together local people and businesses to share their vision for strengthening the economy in the region. The deal does not impose any specific form of governance over the city, such as a metro mayor.

Under business support, the UKTI will become principle partner with Sheffield City Region’s Export Centre of Expertise and work closely with the Local Enterprise Partnership to encourage more businesses to export.

Government and Sheffield City Region will work towards a solution that will allow the Yorkshire JEREMIE to continue on an interim basis.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Today’s deal will give council leaders clout to push forward local plans that strengthen the economy and the running of the city themselves, without waiting for Whitehall.

“Putting the people of Sheffield in control of our city’s destiny will ensure local plans are in line with what local people want.

“Gone are the days of central government controlling all local decisions, and I’m proud to be at the forefront of these forward-thinking changes that see cities like Sheffield able to grow as they see fit.

Richard Wright, executive director of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: “As a Chamber we support the overall trend towards devolution because we back ourselves, as a region, to do a better job in growing the economy if we can have more control.

“This is a good first step but we know a number of people are disappointed by the fact that we do not appear to have as much devolved responsibility as Manchester.

“However we would urge caution. We live in a time of severe financial pressure so we have to ask whether the Chancellor is devolving spending power - or the responsibility for making cuts.”

Andy Ward, PwC’s senior partner in Sheffield, said: “Decentralisation is critical to rebalancing the UK’s economy across the regions.

“Too much centralisation leads to unbalanced growth and creates economic issues of its own, as has been demonstrated by the ongoing growth in London and the South East, while the North has lagged behind.

“However, decentralisation puts significant demands on the skills and capacity of local organisations. That can’t be solved overnight, which is why a clear roadmap of how devolution will actually happen is needed to ensure the right levels of responsibility, delivery and accountability are in place for this opportunity to be maximised.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .