The East Midlands Combined County Authority has officially launched yesterday, 20th March 2024. This was an historic day that marks the endpoint of lots of hard work. Nottingham City Council, a Labour-led local authority, has been at the forefront of pushing for a devolved authority that give access to more funding for Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire.
Historically, the East Midlands has been an underfunded region by national government, receiving less money per head for things like transport. Overall, we were ranked among the lowest in the country for spending on transport, health, education and economic affairs between 2016 and 2021.
Devolution will help to address this underinvestment. The devolved authority will mean greater funding for the region and city, bringing an estimated £4 billion. The ambitious agenda provided by the authority will transform the life chances of everyone.
The launch of the devolved authority was the first of many ways that Nottingham Labour will work with our neighbouring authorities to do what is best for the people we serve.
At the first formal meeting yesterday, the Leaders of the four leading authorities discussed plans to improve the economy; create affordable, good-quality housing; and support work to bring green spaces and nature back into communities. There will also be a focus on how to improve healthy life expectancy, especially in the region’s most disadvantaged communities and places.
That is the real promise of devolution: through collective work we will be able to ensure that that East Midlands has a greater voice and receives it fair share from central government.
We will be able push forward a progressive, transformative agenda that will lead to inclusive growth.
Key to this will be the mayor. The Easy Midlands Combined County Authority will be led by an elected mayor. with the election taking place on 2nd May 2024.
Nottingham Labour believes that the Labour candidate Claire Ward will be the right person to ensure that the East Midlands Combined County Authority will be successful in delivering for the people of our region.
She has a wealth of experience in government and helping to run large organisations. When a Labour government is elected later this year, she will be best-placed to work with them to make sure the East Midlands is not neglected again.
Nottingham Labour urges everyone to make sure they are registered to vote in the Mayoral elections so they can vote for Claire Ward to ensure a positive, innovative future for the East Midlands. The closing date to register to vote is 16 April. Find out more about registering at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.