Minister and council leaders sign devolution deal for Hull and East Yorkshire

Council leaders in the East Riding and Hull put pen to paper on a proposed devolution deal with the Government as Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young visited East Yorkshire yesterday.

Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, and the minister all signed the proposed deal yesterday at Ergo Business Centre near the Humber Bridge.

The deal, if implemented, would bring significant investment and new job opportunities to the area.

It would lead to the creation of a Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA), led by a directly elected mayor, who could be elected in May 2025.

The MCA would have powers to invest in areas such as transport, skills and housing, as well an additional £400m of devolved funding over the next 30 years to invest in local priorities.

The proposed deal 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.

Cllr Handley said: “I am thrilled to finally put pen to paper on this deal today, marking the next step in our devolution journey.

“I’m so proud of the hard work that has got us to this point, and I’m excited about the positive changes this deal will bring to East Yorkshire.

“With a £400 million investment fund and new powers in key areas like transport, housing and adult education, this deal offers us a seat at the top table and the opportunity to truly level up our region.

“Our focus is and always will be what matters to our residents, and I encourage everyone to get involved and take part in the upcoming public consultation. This is our chance to shape the future of East Yorkshire.”

Cllr Ross said: “This is a significant moment for the city as the proposed deal has the potential to be a game changer for Hull and the East Riding in terms of jobs, investment and growth. Local people could see real, positive change in their lives. 

“We are committed to making sure that people in this area are no longer left behind. That means getting this fair deal agreed which will give our city a brighter future.

“Now we have a deal, it is vitally important people have their final say. We are committed to listening to what the residents and others think about this proposed deal, though we believe it is something that will help make a big difference across Hull and all of East Yorkshire.”

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.
• Up to £5 million in 2024/25 to support local economic growth priorities, including any further expansion of Siemens Gamesa at Alexandra Dock in Hull.
• Up to £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.

Mr Young said: “This ground-breaking devolution deal between the Government and Hull and East Yorkshire signifies a pivotal shift toward levelling up the region, giving the area powers and devolved budgets enjoyed by their neighbouring communities.

“By decentralising decisions from Whitehall and entrusting them to local communities, this agreement positions Hull and East Yorkshire to fully unlock its economic potential.

“The region’s strengths in manufacturing and health technologies will serve as foundations for future growth and prosperity.”

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.

All pictures Credit : East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Main image : Councillor Mike Ross, Jacob Young MP and Councillor Anne Handley signing the deal