Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire publish plans for devolution deal

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have published draft plans for a devolution deal, seeking to create a combined authority for the region.

The proposals were sent to Chancellor George Osborne and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Greg Clark before Christmas and seek to create a combined authority of 19 councils across the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire area.

The deal has promised to give a number of benefits to the area, including 55,000 new private sector jobs, 77,000 extra homes and an investment fund to support infrastructure projects. If the plans go ahead, the proposed North Midlands Combined Authority would be the first to include district, borough, city and county councils.

Anne Western, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “We can't stress enough the size of the prize on offer for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and the benefits devolution would bring for local people. So we've taken the decision to publish the draft agreement so people can get a better understanding of what it will mean for the area.”

Alan Rhodes, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, added: “We have excellent proposals on the table, the majority of which have already been agreed, which offer a once in a generation opportunity to secure the jobs, growth, new homes and better quality of life we all crave for our communities.

“The benefits to the local economy and local people are clear − we just await the green light from the Chancellor.”