A devolution deal for Hull and the East Riding has been announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
In his Autumn Statement, Mr Hunt said his proposals would unlock investment and opportunities, as well as reduce debt.
The proposal would see the creation of a new Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA), alongside a mayor for the area, who would be directly elected in May 2025.
The full proposed deal is now available to read here and will be considered by both local authorities’ full council meetings in December.
Subject to councillors’ approval, a period of statutory public consultation will follow in January.
The deal would bring significant investment into the area, helping to create more job opportunities and establishing a Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, led by a directly elected mayor, who could be elected in May 2025.
Key aspects of the proposed deal include:
- £400 million (£13.34 million a year) investment funding over 30 years, to drive growth and deliver local priorities.
- Up to £15 million in 2024/25 to support transport, flood and coastal erosion programmes across the area, including a coastal regeneration programme in the East Riding.
- £5 million in 2024/25 to support local economic growth priorities, including any further expansion of Siemens Gamesa at Alexandra Dock in Hull.
- £4.6 million for the building of new homes on brownfield land in 2024/25.
- UK Shared Prosperity Fund planning and delivery from 2025/26.
- New powers to shape local skills provision, including devolution of the core adult education budget.
- New powers to drive regeneration and build more affordable homes.
- New powers to improve and integrate the regional transport network, with a multi-million-pound integrated transport budget.
- A commitment to rail electrification between Hull and Sheffield, and Hull and Leeds, integrating East Yorkshire into the Northern Powerhouse Rail network.
Cllr Anne Handley, leader of East Riding Council, said: “After months of hard work, I am absolutely thrilled that we can finally say we have a proposed deal and our residents can see what Hull and East Yorkshire devolution would really mean to them.
“I have said all along that a Mayoral Combined Authority is absolutely the right way forward for our region, but that it must be the right deal.
“I am confident we now have the right deal to begin our devolution journey and I urge everyone to get involved in the consultation and get behind this deal.
“Over time, we will be able to negotiate new deals, as other devolved regions have, ensuring we have more funding and power to make important decisions at a local level and put East Yorkshire in control of its own destiny.”
Cllr Mike Ross, Hull City Council leader, said: “I have always said that I would only want to proceed with a devolution deal for Hull and the East Riding if we felt it was going to be the best deal for the area.
“It is clear, after a lot of hard work putting the case forward for what this area needs, that we have managed to get the Government to put forward a deal that will help meet the needs of the city and East Yorkshire.
“The region has been left behind when it comes to a whole range of government investment, which puts us at a real disadvantage to both the rest of Yorkshire and the country in general.
“By taking this important step, we will be helping boost jobs and growth, supporting our residents, local businesses and the city in general.
“I am also pleased that we managed to secure support for Siemens Gamesa’s world-leading offshore wind facility, as well as assurances that Hull will be part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail plans.
“There is a lot of work to do between now and when any devolution may take place, but I would urge everyone to look at what is being offered by the government and get behind the deal.
“This is a chance to help the area grow, something that Hull and East Yorkshire desperately needs, and I am determined to help make happen.”
Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, said he was “delighted” by the news, saying that everyone in the region would be better off as a result of the deal.
He said: “The deal for Hull and East Riding will unlock our potential. This historic deal between the two councils means that our growth will be in the hands of locally elected figures with solely our region in mind.
“There are exciting times ahead for Hull and East Yorkshire and I can’t wait to be a part of them.”
