Councils vote in new authority

COUNCILLORS from all four upper tier councils have voted through plans to proceed with proposals for devolution and a mayoral authority despite some mixed messages from the recent public consultation

All four city and county councils in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire have pointed to the level of positive support the consultation demonstrated in the areas of transport (53% agreeing) skills (52%) reducing carbon/improving the environment (51%) and public health (51%)

However, reading the results, it is apparent that there was not a majority in favour of the governance proposed for the combined authority, with 46% of respondents saying they disagreed with the proposal, and only 42% agreeing with it Concerns were expressed about the cost of a new layer of bureaucracy

Of the respondents to the consultation from South Derbyshire 58% said they did not agree with the governance proposals – the highest figure of all the districts – with only 33% agreeing with them

With just under 5,000 replies, some councillors debating the issue in Nottinghamshire pointed to the very poor rate of response, representing less than 0 25% of the 2 2million people affected Speaking against the proposals one Notts councillor said it was clear from the consultation that most people did not want a mayor Other councillors described the proposals as a “done deal” and a “vanity project”, criticising Conservative MP for Mansfield and leader of Notts County Council, Ben Bradley, who is expected to be a front runner for the mayor ’s position when it comes up, potentially as early as spring 2024

Supporters of the proposal point to the potential benefits of the devolution plan, not least the addition of £1 14billion in funding coming into the new combined authority area to promote economic growth, for more and better jobs, and for better transport, skills training, housing, and an enhanced greener environment

A slightly modified proposal will now go forward for consideration by the Government and will require the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to be passed before the new mayor is elected

I will, unfortunately, miss out on our celebrations this year, as I’ll be on a large peaceful march organised by a national environmental group in London

Several thousands of people from hundreds of organisations will create a carnival of animals along the streets of old London Town, probably ending up somewhere near Westminster

If you care about our earth do something positive for nature on Earth Day

– KATHERINE PARRISH

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