District councillors set to debate devolution deals

Councillors will meet at 2pm tomorrow (Wednesday) to hear the background and details of each proposed Devolution Deal and decide of which to become a constituent member. NEDDC have two devolution deals on the table: one for the Sheffield City Region and the other for North Midlands. These deals would both devolve powers and responsibilities currently held by the government in London to a more local level.

The council is being asked to choose between:

• A devolution deal already agreed with the government for the Sheffield City Region, which would include an additional £900 million of funding to the city region over 30 years.

• A potential North Midlands deal, which is in the late stages of discussions ahead of an anticipated agreement from the government. This deal would see a similar range of powers and finance brought to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Both deals will mean local councils working together in a ‘combined authority’. This means groups of local councils in each local area who take control of more services from the government in exchange for funding. Under government proposals these authorities are to be led by an elected mayor.

The services will include (but are not limited to) skills, apprenticeships, housing, planning, transport and business support.

NEDDC Leader Councillor Graham Baxter MBE said, “If we decide to go with the Devolution Deals then we basically have two options in front of us and we will make the decision on which one will bring the most benefits.

“We will debate this issue and come to a democratic decision on what is right for the people of North East Derbyshire.”