The Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire has welcomed the Government’s Devolution Bill which looks to give mayors across the country more powers.
The Government says the Bill will deliver on its manifesto commitment to the decentralisation of power from Westminster.
Under the proposals, mayors will have powers to speed up the development of homes and other infrastructure projects in their areas with new ‘Mayoral Development Orders’. Such powers already exist in London have been used to help projects such as the construction of the Olympic Park.
The Bill also seeks to “restore taxpayers’ trust in councils’ spending” with the establishment of a Local Audit Office which the Government says will increase transparency.
A new Community Right To Buy will make local ownership of pubs, social hubs, and shops easier by giving communities the first opportunity to buy local assets when they are put on the market.
Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor, Luke Campbell said: “We’re finally getting a firm, clear and long term platform for the powers that will allow us to make big decisions locally in areas such as major transport improvements, equipping local people with the skills our businesses really need, and investing in the key industry sector that will help grow economic prosperity.
“Now Government needs to back up policies with fair funding – giving us the same support other parts of the Midlands and North have recently received in the Spending Review.
“I’m delighted that the Combined Authority and local people get new powers to take on the community assets which matter to people such as grassroots sports clubs and community centres. We’re going to give people more power over decisions affecting their lives and future, and this is a good step forward.”
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
