The Mayor of the East Midlands has formally requested that the Government grant the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) “Established Status” — a designation that would unlock greater devolved powers for the region.
This status is available to combined authorities led by a Mayor for at least 18 months and that can demonstrate a strong record of delivery and performance. If approved, EMCCA would gain enhanced powers in key areas such as transport, employment, and housing, along with the ability to request additional powers tailored to regional needs.
Achieving Established Status is a pivotal milestone in EMCCA’s journey to becoming the driving force of the East Midlands. It would enable the authority to pursue an ‘integrated settlement’ — a more cohesive approach to government funding.
Currently, public services often spend valuable time and resources bidding for fragmented funding pots. This process can distract from their core mission of improving lives and creating opportunities. With Established Status, Mayor Claire Ward and local council leaders would have greater flexibility to align different types of investment, reducing disruption and accelerating infrastructure delivery.
The designation also signals a deeper level of trust between central government and the region. It opens access to funding streams reserved for Established Authorities — such as the £30 million allocated to each for supporting local innovation partnerships.
Mayor Claire Ward said:
“With more powers and an integrated funding settlement to follow, we will be able to plan for the long-term, drive growth, and ensure opportunities are spread fairly across the region. Established Status means more decisions about transport, jobs, skills, and investment will now be made closer to home, by people who understand our region, leading to a stronger future for the East Midlands.”
Mayor Claire is pursuing this designation at the earliest opportunity — 18 months after her election as the region’s first Mayor — by writing to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government.
Her letter outlines EMCCA’s strong performance and ambitious growth plans, supported by the newly launched East Midlands Growth Plan. It highlights ongoing initiatives such as the finalization of the Get East Midlands Working Plan, the upcoming Local Transport Plan, and over £2 billion in transport investment secured from Whitehall through 2032 — a clear vote of confidence from the Government.
Additional achievements include a 10-year, £160 million strategy for the East Midlands Investment Zone, completion of a £10 million Capital Retrofit Programme in EMCCA’s first year, and over £35 million secured for brownfield redevelopment — with the potential to deliver around 2,000 new homes.
Mayor Claire emphasised:
“Securing more flexible funding would mean that instead of small, short-term pots of money from different government departments, the East Midlands would be able to deliver better for local people.”
“This means less red tape and greater freedom to spend that money where it makes the most difference, be it fixing transport, building homes, boosting skills, creating jobs, or investing in communities.”
EMCCA’s application for Established Status was unanimously approved at its Board meeting on 13 October, with support from all four constituent councils: Derby City, Derbyshire County, Nottingham City, and Nottinghamshire County.
The Mayor will continue working with the Government to advance the application and secure an integrated funding settlement. Under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, it is expected that qualifying Mayoral Strategic Authorities will be designated as Established Authorities by summer 2026.
Image credit: East Midlands Combined County Authority
