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Council leaders send 'historic' One Yorkshire devolution deal to Government

Council leaders from across Yorkshire have agreed to submit a detailed proposal to the Government to deliver a One Yorkshire devolution deal.

Leaders and representatives of 18 Yorkshire came to the ‘historic’ agreement after a request for such a proposal was made by Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid, at the Yorkshire & North Lincolnshire APPG meeting last week.

Leaders welcomed the opportunity, on behalf of the region, to present the agreed plans which aim to deliver the maximum possible economic and social benefits for all their communities and the country.

Leaders also welcomed Mr Javid making clear that the Government would not stand in the way of any One Yorkshire proposal that had widespread support and agreed this detailed plan was exactly that.

This submission to the Government has been agreed by 18 of the 20 Yorkshire Council leaders and representatives (Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Doncaster, East Riding, Hambleton, Harrogate, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Richmondshire, Scarborough, Selby, Ryedale, and Wakefield, and York).

Although Sheffield and Rotherham choose to not join the deal, the submission states that arrangements may need to be made to ensure the integration of transport across South Yorkshire.

The submission states that the One Yorkshire devolution deal will see the creation of a single mayoral combined authority for Yorkshire by May 2020, which “addresses the requirement for these ambitions to be delivered through clear accountable arrangements which avoid duplication and additional costly and burdensome bureaucracy.”

The submission notes that “a Yorkshire mayor will have the capacity to be a powerful symbol of common endeavour within the region and as an ambassador for it nationally and internationally.

“A Yorkshire region with devolved powers and budgets will be a strong partner, offering complementary strengths to those of our partners in the devolved nations, South, Midlands and London while adding fresh momentum towards achieving the ambitions we have set out with our Northern Powerhouse neighbours.”

The submission wants the Government to enable all 20 Yorkshire Councils join - if they so choose to do so - by May 2020.

In a letter sent to the Government on Monday, the 18 council leaders said: “We welcomed you making clear that the Government wouldn’t stand in the way of any One Yorkshire proposal taking effect in 2020 that had widespread support.

“We would wish to take up your offer for an urgent meeting to discuss the attached proposals with yourself and senior officials so that these can be taken forward swiftly. We believe that with your Government’s support we can seal an historic devolution agreement with the potential to double the size of our economy to the benefit of the people of Yorkshire and the wider country.”

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