Sheffield next to agree city region devolution deal

12 Dec 14
The Sheffield city region has agreed a devolution deal with Whitehall that will give the combined authority more power over economic development, transport, skills and housing, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced.

By Richard Johnstone | 12 December 2014

The Sheffield city region has agreed a devolution deal with Whitehall that will give the combined authority more power over economic development, transport, skills and housing, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced.

The Sheffield city region has agreed a devolution deal with Whitehall that will give the combined authority more power over economic development, transport, skills and housing, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced.

The agreement is the second deal for a combined city authority after last month's pact with Manchester, although unlike Manchester, no mayor for the city region will be created.

It includes powers to introduce a London-style Oyster Card for the region, control of spending on skills development and business support and additional powers over the disposal of public land.

Additional funding for the Sheffield to Rotherham Tram Train service has also been secured, and the city region will lead discussions with Highways Agency and Network Rail to ensure investment decisions are in line with local needs.

Decisions over the sale of public land and other assets will now be taken jointly between local and national government. The city region will move towards a more devolved model of business support, with enterprise spending coming directly into the city region’s control.

Clegg, who will set out the details of the agreement later today, said it was a ‘historic moment’.

He added: ‘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.’

Gone are the days of central government controlling all local decisions, he said, as cities like Sheffield must able to grow as they see fit.

‘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.’

The city region is made up of nine local authority areas, and was the first authority to be formed outside the boundaries of the old metropolitan counties. Its members include Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire as well as four authorities from Derbyshire – Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire. Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield councils are also members.

Devolution of additional powers to cities forms part of the chancellor’s pledge to create a ‘Northern Powerhouse' as well as Clegg’s Northern Futures project.

In addition, the independent City Growth Commission report called for the creation of mayors to provide accountability for extra powers.

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