High Peak Liberal DemocratsThis comes a month after the Northern Futures Summit, which brought together local people and businesses to share their vision for strengthening the economy in the region. The deal does not impose any specific form of governance over the city, such as a metro mayor.
The deal builds on the success of the City Deal and Growth deal already agreed for the Sheffield City Region, which began the journey that sees the people of Sheffield put in charge of their own economic destiny.
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"It's a historic moment for the great city of Sheffield, and I'm pleased to be bringing more power to the people of Sheffield today, after I've pushed for greater devolution to the North through my Northern Futures programme for so long.
"Today's deal will give council leaders clout to push forward local plans that strengthen the economy and the running of the city themselves, without waiting for Whitehall.
"Putting the people of Sheffield in control of our city's destiny will ensure local plans are in line with what local people want. From transforming travel across the city, to improving access to skills training, the deal will mean changes in the city are shaped by those who live there.
"Gone are the days of central government controlling all local decisions, and I'm proud to be at the forefront of these forward-thinking changes that see cities like Sheffield able to grow as they see fit".
Some details of the deal
Sheffield City region takes greater control and lead on improvement and delivery of transport schemes:
The city will be responsible for the majority of the Adult Skills Budget, working with the Skills Funding Agency and the Department for work and pensions to build a new skills system. The city will play a central role in:
Government will work more closely with Sheffield City Region on business support, locating national advisors alongside local staff and giving Sheffield City Region flexibility to give businesses the support they need.
From 2017 onwards, UKTI will become principle partner with Sheffield City Region's Export Centre of Expertise and work closely with the Local Enterprise Partnership to encourage more businesses to export. Government and Sheffield City Region will work towards a solution that will allow the Yorkshire JEREMIE to continue on an interim basis. Sheffield City Region will move towards a more devolved model of business support, with enterprise spending coming directly into the City Region's control.
The deal will make the most of public sector land in the city region, owned both by councils and Government. ecisions about which assets to sell, and how to regenerate some sites, will be taken together between local and national government to get the best deal for taxpayers and the local economy. Government will also work with Sheffield to help speed up house building, by ensuring viable developments can access government funding more easily.
I am somewhat perturbed by the proposals on DevoSheffield as it is claimed that the Sheffield City Region includes Derbyshire Dales among other parts of this county. Now I am very strongly in favour of devolution to the regions, and I also think that the Sheffield City Region as outlined in the attachment makes a lot of sense. What perturbs me is that this seems to be going ahead with zero democratic mandate from the proposed region, and also with zero democratic underpinning of the region - we vote locally for Derbyshire CC, which does not appear to be involved in the new city region, and, indeed, only parts of Derbyshire are involved. Thus, it would appear that some aspects of control of transport, skills, housing etc. in Derbyshire Dales, for example, are to be given to a City Region which has no democratic accountability to residents of Derbyshire Dales.
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There appears to be a clash of interests in prospect if the ambitions outlined in the Derbyshire Telegraph article last week are to be actioned - HOME RULE FOR DERBYSHIRE: Historic deal could give huge boost to bus services and road projects
But the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority already exists - and has done since April 1 this year - unless its an April Fool joke, which I find unlikely: http://sheffieldcityregion.org.uk/about/the-sheffield-city-region-authority/ , and it includes Derbyshire Dales, Chesterfield, NE Derbyshire and Bolsover: http://sheffieldcityregion.org.uk/about/overview/ So you and I are already part of this - but I certainly was never informed, let alone consulted. Now while I strongly believe in devolution of powers from London, to do so, even in a small way, to regions with no democratic mandate, and no democratic accountability, will only undermine the 'real' devolution that the country desperately needs, and which can only legitimately arise from a constitutional conference specifically addressing this issue.
UNITARIES' TIME MAY AT LAST HAVE COME; BUT DON'T GET BOGGED DOWN IN MINUTIAE!
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