People across Hull and East Yorkshire can now have their say on devolution proposals for the region.
East Riding Council and Hull City Council have launched an eight-week consultation on the proposal to create a Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA), led by a directly elected mayor.
The leaders of both councils are urging all residents, businesses and other organisations to read the proposal and give their feedback.
Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding Council, said: “It’s really important that people take part in this consultation and have their say.
“This devolution deal will bring in hundreds of millions of pounds to this region – much more than just £400 million.
“Most importantly, it means we will no longer be left behind. Other regions all around us are reaping the benefits of devolution and we are missing out.
“This deal gets us out there on the national and international stage.
“But we need you, our residents, to get involved and come on this journey with us.
“So, today I am asking everyone across the region to take part in this consultation, back the deal, and help shape the future of Hull and East Yorkshire.”
Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “This is an exciting milestone in our devolution journey and we urge everyone in the region to get involved and have their say.
“Securing £400 million of game-changing investment will help to transform our region and move forward our city, while also giving us more local power to drive that ourselves.
“Both councils are backing these proposals, but we are clear the residents in the area need to support them too.
“Now is the time for the public to let us know what they think.”
From now until February 27, people can read the devolution proposal and give their feedback on each part of the deal at heydevolution.com.
Residents can also visit any East Riding library, or any Hull library or customer service centre, where they can get help completing the survey using a computer or completing the questionnaire on paper.
There will also be a series of drop-in events across the region, where people will be able find out more about the devolution proposal. Dates, locations and times for these will be announced in due course.
The Hull and East Yorkshire MCA would have powers to invest in areas such as transport, skills and housing, as well as an additional £400 million of devolved funding over the next 30 years to invest in local priorities.
A combined authority for East Yorkshire does not mean the two councils would merge, only that they would collaborate on certain issues that affect everyone in the region.
The councils and the delivery of day-to-day responsibilities would remain separate, and local services would not be affected.
