29.06.20
‘Landmark moment’ as devolution deal for South Yorkshire secured
Today marks a breakthrough in Sheffield City Region’s fight for devolution, as a multi-million pound deal is agreed (June 29).
The ‘landmark’ deal, which will be approved in Parliament in the coming weeks, will unlock and deliver new powers and funding for South Yorkshire by this summer.
The order for the Deal will be laid in Parliament today, following agreement letters submitted by Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis and council leaders in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Once the Deal is passed into law, millions of pounds of funding will benefit the region, marking a significant breakthrough in devolution and giving local leaders the capacity to ‘build back better’ from Coronavirus.
READ MORE: Dan Jarvis: Putting walking and cycling at the heart of the country's recovery
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said:
“This is a landmark moment for our region. We are seeing powers transferred from Westminster – it means more decisions about South Yorkshire will be made in South Yorkshire.
“The journey to reach this point has been long and difficult. I firmly believe it is worthwhile, as it provides leaders in South Yorkshire the opportunity to transform our region. I am confident we will seize this moment to build back better, creating a stronger, fairer, greener economy and society.
“The Deal comes at a crucial time, as we look to overcome the coronavirus pandemic. I am working alongside the leaders of our local authorities, and in partnership with our businesses, universities, colleges and central government, to secure new investment and put us on the road to a stronger, fairer future for South Yorkshire. Devolution does not stop at city region level. This is the start of our devolution journey, and working together across the wider region is going to be even more important than ever before.
“Collectively, we stand ready to unlock economic renewal for the region, the north and the nation, and devolution of powers from Westminster will help enable us to do this. We have new tools in our hands today. Together, we must put them to good use.”
Benefits of the new deal include a flexible single pot of funding for economic growth, incorporating an addition £30m allocation per year as well as devolved transport powers and funding, full devolution of the Adult Education Budget and more control over housing delivery.
LISTEN: Building economic resilience through local powers.