Leader's update: 'A draft devolution deal is on the table'

Councillor Anne Handley: Leader's update to full council - Wednesday, 15 November 2023

"Today's update is on devolution.

"I am delighted to inform you that Hull and East Riding’s devolution negotiations are reaching the final stages with the  Government. After several months of hard work by officers and councillors, I can confirm that a draft deal is now on the table and in "write-round" across all ministerial departments.

"Subject to this review, it is anticipated that the Chancellor’s autumn statement on 22 November will announce a draft devolution deal for Hull and East Yorkshire.

"Once this has been announced and the embargo on confidential negotiations is lifted, I intend to appear before this chamber with the deal in hand.

"I would like to point out that this will go before overview management committee and scrutiny before a special meeting of full council, so you and our residents can see what East Yorkshire devolution would really mean to them.

"I have repeatedly stated that a mayoral combined authority is absolutely the right way forward for our region, 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.

"We do not want to be the only area of Yorkshire without a devolution deal, or miss out on the greater powers and funding that are only open to devolved areas. We want to be trailblazers and tap into the opportunities that Manchester and the West Midlands have access to.

"However, I have always made it clear that it has to be the right deal for our area. At this stage in the negotiations, following several meetings with Jacob Young, the Minister for Levelling Up, and Michael Gove, the Secretary of State, I am confident that we will have the right deal to begin our devolution journey.

"I hope you all will agree with me that this deal represents our best opportunity to bring additional funding and control to East Yorkshire, but I cannot stress enough how important it is to me that you and our residents have an opportunity to review the draft deal and make your voices heard.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity for local people to shape the future of this region.

"Let me explain the likely next steps that will follow the draft deal’s announcement.

"In the coming weeks and months, this council will be asked to review the draft deal and proposal documents, at the same time as authorising that a public consultation must be undertaken. A consultation would follow, open to all residents and stakeholders in both Hull and the East Riding.

"The results of the consultation will then be analysed and compiled into this report, and presented again to this council, at which point, councillors will be asked whether or not we should submit our proposal to the Government to create a new Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

"I am incredibly eager for you all to see the draft deal, and I understand your own keen interest to know the contents and what it will mean for the East Riding. As I mentioned a moment ago, the draft deal remains confidential until announced by the Government.

"However, I would point councillors to the government’s published devolution framework, which provides a useful summary of powers, functions and funding opportunities available to mayoral combined authorities and I look forward to sharing the details of the deal with you as soon as I can."

Watch the leader's update, with questions, at November full council...

More information

• Hull and East Yorkshire devolution (eastriding.gov.uk)
• English Devolution Accountability Framework (gov.uk)