News: Sheffield City Region rebrands

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) has officially rebranded and changed its legal name to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), to better reflect the geography of its constituent authorities and the region it serves, and as the integration of the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) continues. The Mayor’s title will also change to Mayor of South Yorkshire.

Led by the Mayor of South Yorkshire, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority brings together the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and the private sector through the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Through South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), The Mayor, the MCA Board and the LEP Board share a vision to grow an economy that works for everyone.

A lack of consensus from council leaders previously denied the SCR the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government.

Approved by Parliament last year, the devolution deal brings benefits including control of a new, flexible single pot of funding for economic growth, which incorporates the additional £30m annual allocation over the next 30 years. The MCA in South Yorkshire was granted some borrowing powers and is using them to create a ground-breaking stimulus, worth up to £860m, to revitalise South Yorkshire’s economy and transform the region.

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Mayor of South Yorkshire, Dan Jarvis, said: “We are proud to reveal our new brand, which reflects better the identification people, places and businesses have with South Yorkshire as a region. The change is an opportunity to ensure that the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s work and the support it provides is better understood by the people, partners and organisations we serve.

“Since powers and resources have been devolved from Westminster to South Yorkshire, we can take decisions locally about our economy, transport, skills, housing, and infrastructure, ensuring we can deliver what local people need and connect people and businesses to the places they need to be.

“We will use these to create a vibrant, thriving South Yorkshire where people want to live, visit and work. A strong brand is crucial to realising that ambition and we will use this to promote our region across the nation and globe, to attract new investment and unlock the potential of our people, businesses and places - creating a stronger, greener, fairer South Yorkshire for all.”

This week, Jarvis, who is also MP for Barnsley Central, announced that he would not be standing for re-election as South Yorkshire Mayor after his term ends in May.

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News: £860m "new deal" for South Yorkshire regeneration

The fate of future of economic development and regeneration projects in Rotherham and the rest of South Yorkshire could no longer be decided by a formula and London-based government staff and ministers, under ambitious plans set to be approved by the region's Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA).

Through devolution, the MCA in South Yorkshire has been granted some borrowing powers and is set to use them to create a ground-breaking stimulus, worth up to £860m, to revitalise South Yorkshire’s economy and transform the region.

The Mayor said he and local leaders were "rewriting the rule book" to meet the seismic economic challenge posed by COVID.

The investment heralds a "New Deal for South Yorkshire", which will unleash South Yorkshire’s potential, and deliver recovery and renewal for the region after the pandemic.

It will invest hundreds of millions into schemes to protect, create and attract thousands of jobs, train workers and apprentices, back businesses to locate and grow in the region, and transform infrastructure – building South Yorkshire’s transport network and revitalising its high streets and towns.

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis said: “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Despite the challenges COVID throws at us, our plan sends a crystal-clear message of ambition and confidence: that South Yorkshire is open for business and ready to prosper. The Government may not be willing to back our region, but local leaders and I will not stand by and let our potential be squandered.

“That’s why we’re rewriting the rule book, using powers and resources secured from Westminster, to invest in our people, our businesses and our towns and high streets. This is the power of devolution: it means we can deliver on the priorities of our people: jobs, apprenticeships, better buses, new flood defences, stronger transport links and revitalised high streets and town centres.

“We’re working to create a stronger, greener, fairer South Yorkshire for all – delivering not just recovery, but renewal. Not just a bigger economy, but a better one. We know South Yorkshire’s people and industry rightly have enormous pride in our story so far. We’re reinforcing our reputation as the heartland of British industry and innovation, and we’re making our region an even better place to live, work and invest.

“We’ve started to transform South Yorkshire and we believe that our best days lie ahead of us. That’s why we’re creating the South Yorkshire Renewal Fund – a comprehensive plan to unlock the potential of our people, businesses and places, so everyone can have a stake in our future prosperity. We will deliver a New Deal for South Yorkshire.”

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The South Yorkshire Renewal Fund will be considered for approval by the Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority at its meeting on Monday 22 March.

The £860m investment is made up of £358m MCA funding for South Yorkshire’s recovery in 2021/2022. This includes the MCA’s first year’s use of its £30m a year "gainshare." From 2022, and following agreement with HM Treasury, the MCA will borrow against its gainshare to create the South Yorkshire Renewal Fund, worth up to £500m. This will roughly be split between: £300m of investment in our places, including infrastructure and transport; and £200m of funding for jobs and skills in South Yorkshire.

Direct support is expected for; jobs and apprenticeships, and helping people find them; helping businesses to survive and thrive; revitalising high streets and building homes; getting people moving with better transport, by foot, bike, bus, tram and train; protecting the planet – retrofitting homes and improving flood defences.

Investment is also expected in infrastructure, flood defences, buses and active travel.

Rotherham schemes already in line for funding include investment in town centre housing and money for strategic acquisitions, funding for the extension at Century Business Centre, the Rotherham to Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme, and active travel around Broom and the town centre.

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News: Landmark devolution deal unlocks new funding and powers for South Yorkshire's economic renewal

New powers and millions of pounds in new funding are coming to South Yorkshire this summer, as the region's landmark devolution deal is agreed.

The order for the Deal will be laid in Parliament today, after letters of agreement were submitted by Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis, and council leaders in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

A lack of consensus from the leaders has previously denied the Sheffield city region (SCR) the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government.

The 2015 deal included a mayor with responsibility over the region's transport budget, strategic planning and skills funding. It also promised £30m a year for 30 years to invest in local strategic priorities.

The latest deal will bring benefits including control of a new, flexible single pot of funding for economic growth, which incorporates the additional £30m annual allocation over the next 30 years.

The Deal will be approved in Parliament in the coming weeks with a statutory instrument being used to pass this into law. Following this, millions of pounds of funding will come to South Yorkshire.

The Deal marks a significant breakthrough for the region, equipping local leaders with the tools and resources to build back better from the coronavirus pandemic.

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Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: "This is a landmark moment for our region. We are seeing powers transferred from Westminster – it means more decisions about South Yorkshire will be made in South Yorkshire.

"The journey to reach this point has been long and difficult. I firmly believe it is worthwhile, as it provides leaders in South Yorkshire the opportunity to transform our region. I am confident we will seize this moment to build back better, creating a stronger, fairer, greener economy and society.

"The Deal comes at a crucial time, as we look to overcome the coronavirus pandemic. I am working alongside the leaders of our local authorities, and in partnership with our businesses, universities, colleges and central government, to secure new investment and put us on the road to a stronger, fairer future for South Yorkshire. Devolution does not stop at city region level. This is the start of our devolution journey, and working together across the wider region is going to be even more important than ever before.

"Collectively, we stand ready to unlock economic renewal for the region, the north and the nation, and devolution of powers from Westminster will help enable us to do this. We have new tools in our hands today. Together, we must put them to good use."

Cllr. Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, added: "Although it has taken us too long to get the South Yorkshire devolution deal over the line, the important thing now is that more resources and powers will begin to be made available to the region.

"Because of the difficulties worldwide in the face of the Coronavirus crisis, economic recovery is of paramount importance.

"There is a particularly acute need for us all to support the South Yorkshire economy, and this deal will help us to do that."

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News: Councils reach a consensus over Sheffield City Region devolution

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) devolution deal has been agreed by the Mayor and the leaders of all four councils in South Yorkshire.

A joint statement on devolution from Mayor Dan Jarvis, Sheffield's Cllr. Julie Dore, Cllr. Sir Steve Houghton at Barnsley, Doncaster's Mayor Ros Jones and Cllr. Chris Read, the leader of Rotherham Council reads:

"We're pleased to announce that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed he will be working with us to progress devolution.

"Subject to the Sheffield City Region devolution deal being advanced to a positive conclusion, he has also agreed to progress discussions on the role and functions of a Committee of Leaders from across Yorkshire, based on the existing Yorkshire Leaders Board. All South Yorkshire councils will have the opportunity to join any full Yorkshire devolution arrangement if they choose to do so.

"We will be considering a paper at the Mayoral Combined Authority meeting on Monday 27 January and, subject to final agreement at that meeting, we will be launching a public consultation on the proposals.

"This represents a significant step forward in securing additional powers and resources for our region."

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A lack of consensus from the leaders has previously denied the SCR the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government.

The 2015 deal included a mayor with responsibility over the region's transport budget, strategic planning and skills funding. It also promised £30m a year for 30 years to invest in local strategic priorities.

A frustrated Cllr. Read said in 2018 that the 2015 deal was worth nearer to £75m a year. After this week's announcement he added: "It is good that we can now progress on South Yorkshire devolution, and a credit to all those involved. It is important that we now make quick progress to secure the funding that our communities need to create jobs and opportunities.

"Rotherham is one of the fastest growing economies in Yorkshire and devolution will accelerate that growth and support our aims to extend prosperity and opportunity, putting us alongside many other similar parts of the country who are already benefiting from devolution settlements."

Andrew Denniff, Chief Executive of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber said: "Speaking on behalf of our members I welcome the efforts made by our politicians to achieve a devolution deal which will drive our region forward.

"The announcement made by Dan Jarvis today is something which we as a Chamber of Commerce welcome. We believe it will provide a genuine opportunity for our politicians to deliver positive change for South Yorkshire and one which will end the investment delay which was promised to the region several years ago.

"Having said this, our region must now play catch-up. We will continue to support the work being delivered by Dan Jarvis and his team, which will ultimately create a stronger South Yorkshire.

"Whilst this is clearly positive news for the Sheffield City Region, I would urge our politicians to continue to work collaboratively. There must not be any further delays in securing the investment promised to our region.

"After many years of uncertainty surrounding devolution, it is reassuring to see that our politicians have come together to produce a deal which will bring benefits to all parts of the local economy. We must now seize the opportunities that a devolution deal will bring and narrow the gap between the Sheffield City Region and other parts of the UK."

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News: Rothbiz gains an ally - the Prime Minister

If you can get past the headline-grabbing heckling, the fudged answers to press questions, the less than enthusiastic audience reaction and the "light-hearted remark" from the host, you'll find that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom stood up and promoted positive stories about Rotherham businesses.

Boris Johnson used a high profile event in Rotherham to renew a drive to give more power to Northern regions.

At The Convention of the North held at Magna, the PM said: "[It is] only right that we are meeting here on the banks of the Don, literally the crucible in which the history of the nation was forged - and indeed of the modern world.

"When Nelson defeated the French at Trafalgar and set this country on course for about 100 years of imperial expansion, the cannons on HMS Victory were forged here at Walker and Company.

"It was Rotherham pipes that brought fresh drinking water to Hong Kong, Rotherham steel that clad Brunel’s Great Eastern and formed the skeletons of New York skyscrapers and did you know that every fire hydrant in New York was cast in British steel less than two miles from here at the works of Guest and Chrimes.

"That was before it occurred to anyone to put tariffs on British steel.

"This place where we meet was so central to our national life that it was bombed in both the first and second world wars.

"And so it was entirely fitting that 50 years ago the works here at Templeborough adopted as its logo the phoenix – perpetually rising from the ashes.

"And across this region you can feel that phoenix-like transformation as the Northern Powerhouse – which Jake just spoke so eloquently - thrums into life with a low-carbon, fuel efficient roar.

"Look at Catcliffe.

"Where a factory that once made superb glass is now being used by McLaren to turn super-light, super-strong Yorkshire carbon fibre into the fastest production cars on earth.

"Right next door, at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Xeros Technology are producing the world's most environmentally friendly washing machine - that's the spin and I bet it's true.

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"Boeing chose Sheffield as its first civil aerospace factory in Europe – with nearly half its employees taken on as apprentices.

"And did anybody have a bagel this morning? Did you? No?

"Well if you did, it was probably made just up the road in Mexborough, where, in the largest bagel factory in Europe produces fully three-quarters of the bagels eaten in Britain every day.

"Sheffield is the home of the UK's largest provider of hybrid and electric vehicle drive systems, a company called Magtec.

"A world-first initiative, Magtec is retrofitting Sheffield's refuse lorries with battery-power, with enough juice to negotiate the seven hills and recharge themselves with energy they generate from the very rubbish they collect.

"Rubbish powered rubbish vans – there's a joke there somewhere which I will leave to you.

"I tell you, there is no limit to the imagination, innovation, ingenuity and leadership in the North."

The Prime Minister also said that the Government are committed to getting the Sheffield City Region devolution deal done and set out his intention to allow Northern communities to take more control over their rail services.

He added: "In this birthplace of the railways, we can do so much better. Today – coming from London on the train, it took me just over an hour and a half to get to Doncaster. But if, for example, you travelled from Liverpool to Rotherham – less than half the distance – you might have had to leave an hour earlier than me, and change as many as three times."

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News: Prime Minister heads to Rotherham

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is using a high profile event in Rotherham today to renew a drive to give more power to Northern regions.

In a speech at The Convention of the North, he is expected to reiterate that he remains committed to delivering the Sheffield City Region (SCR) devolution deal – and to opening up negotiations with Leeds and West Yorkshire.

Organised by NP11 in partnership with Government the one-day event at Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham brings together the North's political, business, community and academic leaders along with young people's groups, with the aim of making a powerful, unified case to the new Prime Minister and Government for tangible investment in the Northern Powerhouse.

The Government is set create a new Northern Powerhouse growth body to drive forward the region'’s economy, and with the powers to bring together major organisations working in the region.

A Chair will be appointed to head up the body, working closely with the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse.

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Speaking to local business leaders, mayors and councillors, the Prime Minister is expected to say: "It is time that we gave more people a say over the places where they live, and it is time that we gave you the proper ability to run things your way.

"We are going to maximise the power of the north. And we are going to make sure that it is people here who are in control over the things that matter to them.

"On entering Downing Street, the Prime Minister made it his priority to level up and unlock the potential of every corner of the UK – not just London and the South East."

Last week on a visit to Yorkshire, he reaffirmed his commitment to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail. The first step will be the Manchester to Leeds route, with detailed plans published this autumn, following the review into HS2.

The new route is expected to cut journey times significantly and provide additional capacity for people across the region.

Today the Prime Minister will reaffirm that one of his top domestic priorities will be to give more powers to local leaders to ensure communities are in control over the things that matter to them, such as transport, infrastructure and housing.

He will conclude his speech by saying: "If we succeed in levelling up opportunity across our country, and if we truly put the power in your hands, then I believe you will do for the North – and for our whole country - what the railways did two centuries ago.

"That is the true potential of this Northern Powerhouse Partnership. And this is a Government that will back you to deliver it."

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News: Economic projects promote pride for partnership

Economic regeneration and high profile business investments have been the main highlights showing how far Rotherham has come in a short space of time.

Projects such as the £12m improvements at the bus station, Gulliver's Valley, the new university centre and the £50m McLaren investment were all used to show how a shared ambition for the borough is becoming reality.

The Rotherham Together Partnership was launched in September 2015 and the Rotherham Plan 2025 was officially launched in 2017. It provides a framework for partners' joint efforts to create a borough that "is better for everyone who wants to live, work, invest or visit here."

The plan is based around five "game changers": building stronger communities, skills and employment, integrated health and social care, a place to be proud of and the town centre.

The partnership brings together a wide range of organisations, including major public bodies. Its Business Growth Board is responsible for the delivery of strategies which feeds into the overarching plan and includes indicators on business starts, employment and skill levels. The Rotherham Employment and Skills Strategy has recently been endorsed by the Council's cabinet.

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At a partnership event at New York Stadium, Council leader Cllr. Chris Read, who is also the partnership chair, said: "We said that our game changers would alter people's lives and today we can see those ambitions transformed into reality with much more still to come.

"Then we had secured £12m to refurbish the bus station, but the building was still falling down.

"Then McLaren has announced a £50m investment in the borough, but we hadn' t actually seen so much as a JCB, let alone a Royal visit.

"Then we had a plan for a higher education building in the town centre, and planning permission for a theme park, a tram extension that seemed like it might never be finished, and a social care challenge that stretched as far as the eye could see.

"And today? Our University Centre Rotherham open, with the first students studying. The bus station rebuilt and reopened. Tram train up and running, with more than half a million journeys taken already. Rotherham has been the fastest growing local economy in Yorkshire for over a year now.

"What began as words and commitments two years ago is taking shape, in bricks and mortar and jobs, in opportunities realised, and in a different way of working."

Cllr. Read also discussed the importance of the devolution deal and how Rotherham continues to benefit from being part of the Sheffield city region (SCR).

He said: "Two years ago it was quite common for people to say to me that we shouldn't bother, because we would only lose out to our neighbours anyway. Other places were cynical about whether the deals were really worth doing at all.

"Today every single local authority in the region – every single one - wants to do a devo deal. The TUC, CBI and Institute of Directors issue joint statements on the subject.

"Last week we secured £7m to complete the retail centre at Waverley, and saw announcements that the UK Atomic Energy Agency will bring some of its work to develop fusion technology – the holy grail of limitless energy – to the borough, alongside a potential £10m investment in battery technology in the McLaren supply chain.

"At the same time we are asking the government for up to £40m of investment to support better public transport and walking and cycling as part of the Transforming Cities Fund. It would be the biggest single investment in sustainable transport for years.

"No one seriously says we shouldn't bother any longer. The reality has changed the perception. Just imagine what we could do if we actually got on and implemented the actual deal!

"That's how much things can change in two years. Attitudes shift. Rotherham is finding its way in the world again. By challenging the established order of things."

Rotherham Together Partnership website

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News: SCR devolution set to proceed pragmatically

Secretary of State James Brokenshire has indicated that the Government is prepared for the Sheffield city region (SCR) devolution deal to move forward, four years after it was signed.

Rothbiz reported in March that Dan Jarvis and the four leaders of South Yorkshire's local authorities had reached a consensus on the way forward for devolution. The pragmatic solution allows for each authority to move to other devolution arrangements, should they wish to do so, in 2022 – the end of Mayor Jarvis' current term of office.

A lack of consensus from the leaders of South Yorkshire's four councils had denied the SCR the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government.

The 2015 deal included a mayor with responsibility over the region's transport budget, strategic planning and skills funding. It also promised £30m a year for 30 years to invest in local strategic priorities.

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Responding to the latest correspondence, the Secretary of State welcomed the commitment to the 2015 deal and the solution to its implementation that will see investment in the city region.

In a letter to the local councils, James Brokenshire MP said: "In principle, if you and your councils now consent, we are prepared to implement the deal with an understanding that after 2022 those councils that do not see there future in the city region should be free to join an alternative wider Yorkshire devolution group, leaving the SCR with a commensurately reduced devolution deal, and with such provisos as for example there remains an integrated transport system."

Work between the city region and the Government will now take place to ensure that the deal can be implemented.

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council said that he was pleased the Government was willing to move forward with the two stage process, adding: "I hope we can now move quickly to implement it."

An estimated £75m a year of Government funding earmarked for much-needed economic development projects is yet to make it to the SCR due to the stalled devolution deal.

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News: Sheffield city region devolution deal breakthrough

Dan Jarvis and the four leaders of South Yorkshire's local authorities have reached a consensus on the way forward for devolution in our region.

After years of impasse, a breakthrough letter has been sent to Secretary of State James Brokenshire today (Monday 25 March), asking for powers and resources to be unlocked.

An estimated £75m a year of Government funding earmarked for much-needed economic development projects is yet to make it to the SCR due to the stalled devolution deal.

In that letter, Mayor Dan Jarvis, Cllr Julie Dore, Cllr Sir Steve Houghton, Mayor Ros Jones and Cllr Chris Read say that they have had "productive conversations", and set out plans as to how, together with Government, devolution for the Sheffield City Region can now move forward while also furthering the future devolution ambitions of individual authorities.

Mayor Jarvis said: "This is an important day for our region. After months of negotiations, I'm delighted to have brokered a joint devolution position with all of South Yorkshire's leaders, that I believe will enable us to access the powers and resources that our region needs to continue its economic transformation.

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"It is a pragmatic solution that enables first and foremost, the unlocking of the Sheffield City Region deal, whilst also supporting wider Yorkshire devolution ambitions.

"It is a solution that gives effect to the mandate upon which I was elected, is in line with the community polls held by Barnsley and Doncaster, and accords with the Government's own stated position regarding the next steps for devolution."

The letter to Government asks that millions of pounds in funding is unlocked for the SCR. This is on the understanding that each authority is able to move to other devolution arrangements, should they wish to do so, in 2022 – the end of Mayor Jarvis' current term of office.

The next step will be for the Government to respond to this joint letter.

Mayor Jarvis added: "It is now for Government to work constructively with us to agree our plan and release the powers and money that the Sheffield City Region needs."

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News: Millions still tied up in stalled devolution deal

An estimated £75m a year of Government funding earmarked for much-needed economic development projects is yet to make it to the Sheffield city region (SCR) due to the stalled devolution deal.

A lack of consensus from the leaders of South Yorkshire's four councils denied the SCR the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government.

The 2015 deal included a mayor with responsibility over the region's transport budget, strategic planning and skills funding. It also promised £30m a year for 30 years to invest in local strategic priorities.

With Dan Jarvis elected as mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, he himself admitted that not enough progress had been made on devolution. His stance has been to implement the 2015 deal, push for greater mayoral powers, and push ahead with a wider Yorkshire deal.

In a discussion over the authority's own budget pressures, Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council and a former chair of the Combined Authority (pictured), admitted that there was little chance of seeing any of the £30m a year reaching the SCR anytime soon.

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"It's certainly not coming in the short term," Read told members. "I don't think we are going to get any movement in the short term around it. I think, and I've said this the whole way through, that there's an inescapable logic to devolution where you say to councils: "You are increasingly dependent on income from business rates and economic activity - you can have more money to help strengthen that activity in your area but we need you to work in a certain way to be able to access it."

"If you remember when we first started the debate and talked about having a mayor, people were concerned about that. A lot of people were against that. Certainly if you look across the region now, nobody is against that. What we've not achieved is agreement about how that exactly ought to function.

"Where we've failed as leaders across the 20 authorities in Yorkshire is to reach an agreement on geography between us and that means we are not getting money that we ought to be getting."

The SCR is still waiting on funding to upgrade the Hope Valley Line and to support key employment and skills initiatives.

Read added: "We are short to the tune of certainly tens of millions of pounds. People talk about the "gainshare" - the £30m for South Yorkshire - but actually if you look across the piece, including that, it is more like £70m to 75m a year extra for South Yorkshire that was tied into that deal.

"It is hugely frustrating to me that we are not getting that money."

Cllr Read has reiterated that Rotherham's position is that it believes that the Sheffield city region deal is the best opportunity to draw down funding and decision making to strengthen the local economy but it would take any proposals for a wider "One Yorkshire" devolution deal seriously.

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News: Calls to devolve economic development funding

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, has joined calls from business leaders and civil society leaders in the North to demand control over funding needed to rebalance the economy.

The last allocation of funding lead to a legal battle with the Government.

In March 2019, Britain will exit the European Union (EU) and the Government has confirmed that it will launch the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, using money returning from the EU to provide funding for economic development and local growth across the UK.

In a cross-party call, the Mayors of Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Tees Valley and Sheffield City Region (SCR), alongside the NP11 Board, representing the North's 11 local enterprise partnerships, the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, the voice of business in the North and the People's Powerhouse, a grassroots movement, say the Government must fully fund and devolve the money.

EU Structural Funds have been committed until 2020 and are worth £2.4 billion a year - £1.2 billion from the EU, matched by public and private sources.

A joint statement from the leaders said: "Ministers have promised a consultation on the Shared Prosperity Fund this year and this is becoming urgent if we are not to be left with a damaging gap between the ending of EU Structural Funds and the setting up of the Shared Prosperity Fund – a gap which would lead to the closure of vital economic programmes and investments."

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Over €200m in EU funding was expected to be used to support businesses, inward investment, infrastructure, innovation and social inclusion in the SCR until 2020. EU funding has been used to support growing businesses and enable job-creating infrastructure and commercial property projects to be realised.

A number of SCR projects are currently being developed to utilise millions in EU funds before Brexit.

The Government has previously said it will guarantee EU funding for structural and investment fund projects, including agri-environment schemes which continue after the UK has left the EU.

Northern regions have previously fought the Government on this issue. Led by Rotherham Council, a legal fight with the Government failed over the way it decided how millions of EU funding was allocated. The coalition Government diverted funds to devolved areas such as Scotland and Wales which meant that €60m less than the European Commission notionally allocated for South Yorkshire was actually allocated to the SCR.

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, said: "As we get set to leave the European Union in March next year, it is critical that the Government reaffirm their commitment to devolution by giving elected Mayors control of a fair share of the money that used to be sent to Brussels."

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News: Jarvis discusses plans for SCR

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority is still working on getting an agreement between the four council leaders of South Yorkshire on the issue of devolution.

Elected in May, the Barnsley MP was speaking at the recent Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber's Chamber Means Business event, highlighting his plans to address transport, productivity, skills, devolution and life after Brexit. He also discussed the developing vision Global Innovation Corridor that can be used to tell the story of the Sheffield city region (SCR) to the world.

On the issue of transport, Jarvis discussed the £100m bid to secure transport cash from the Government.

He told the event: "For too long we have been overlooked – or worse – ignored. That will be the case no more. Over the coming months I will be finalising a new transport strategy for the region. This strategy will be the first time we've had a serious look at the needs of our communities, the first time we've had a serious long term view of how this region needs to be connected internally so your employees, your families and you can get into and between the urban centres of Barnsley, Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster – or to major employment and housing sites such as those at Waverley in Rotherham.

"That will be the blueprint for unlocking national, regional and local investment."

Jarvis said that the current local transport system is not fit for purpose, highlighting poor connections between towns and cities and to the SCR's airport.

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On skills, the mayor called for a root and branch review of the local skills system "to understand how we can build a fully integrated, locally responsive system that works for our young people, for businesses looking to invest in their workforce and one that builds a lifelong culture of learning."

To bring it all together, Jarvis concluded that: "We must unleash the benefits of devolution and the opportunity that this Mayoralty brings to grow our economy. We do not yet have an agreed way forward on drawing the funding and powers down that can help grow our economy. That is an unacceptable position for businesses and communities to be in.

"To make that happen we must reach agreement between the four council leaders of South Yorkshire and myself on the issue of devolution. I am working on it."

Chamber Means Business is an annual exhibition which has been put together to give member businesses the opportunity to promote themselves and their products and services. This year it was held at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

SCR website

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News: £1.9m set aside for SCR Mayoral election

The Combined Authority (CA) in the Sheffield city region (SCR) has set aside £1.9m from its stretched budget for the upcoming Mayoral election.

As a proposed devolution deal stumbles, a Mayoral Combined Authority is still set to be created, building on the 2013 agreement which saw the nine local authorities that comprise the city region create a new legal body with responsibility for transport, economic development and regeneration.

Orders went through Parliament but a mayoral election was delayed following a legal challenge over the consultation brought by Derbyshire County Council. Chesterfield and Bassetlaw Councils withdrew their applications to be full members of the Combined Authority.

Whilst a lack of consensus from the leaders of South Yorkshire's four councils denied the SCR the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government, an election is still due to take place on May 3.

Barnsley and Doncaster have focused on a potential "One Yorkshire" devolution solution and a "two tier" solution has been mooted to avoid a costly election. It would involve the SCR deal being concluded and then authorities being "allowed" to join a wider Yorkshire authority at a later date.

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In setting its budget for 2018/19, the CA has included £1.885m for running the election. It includes costs of £273,000 for an election booklet containing candidate information which is required to be distributed to each elector.

With the devolution deal with the Government, the mayor would have responsibility over the region's transport budget, strategic planning and skills funding. It also promises £30m a year for 30 years to invest in local strategic priorities.

Without the deal, the Mayor will be a member, and chair, of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority and will have certain public transport powers relating to how buses may operate in the future. The term is four years.

The overall budget for 2018/19 does not include any of the first £30m. The CA will need circa £7.3m of resources for the year and around £1.9m of the required funding will be drawn down from the CA's limited revenue reserves.

Cllr. Chris Read, the leader of Rotherham Council, is the current chair of the CA. He reiterated in January that "Rotherham's position remains that we believe the Sheffield City Region Deal is our best opportunity to draw down funding and decision making to strengthen our local economy, and we have not yet seen any counter proposal which we believe would bring the same level of benefit to our borough."

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News: Rotherham Council leader welcomes options to avoid further devolution delays

Cllr. Chris Read, the leader of Rotherham Council and chair of the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority (CA), has provided an update on devolution in Yorkshire.

The issue was debated again in Parliament this week as ways of devolving powers and money to the region are explored. Read said that Rotherham Council was "pragmatic about how best to make progress, as long as progress is being made."

As a proposed devolution deal stumbles in the SCR, a Mayoral Combined Authority is still set to be created, building on the 2013 agreement which saw the nine local authorities that comprise the city region create a new legal body with responsibility for transport, economic development and regeneration.

Orders went through Parliament but a mayoral election was delayed following a legal challenge over the consultation brought by Derbyshire County Council. Chesterfield and Bassetlaw Councils withdrew their applications to be full members of the Combined Authority.

Whilst a lack of consensus from the leaders of South Yorkshire's four councils denied the SCR the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government, an election is still due to take place next year. Barnsley and Doncaster have focused on a potential "One Yorkshire" devolution solution.

A "two tier" solution has been mooted by Barnsley and Doncaster to avoid a costly election. It would involve the SCR deal being concluded and then authorities being "allowed" to join a wider Yorkshire authority at a later date.

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In a letter to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, Read said: "My priority in all these discussions remains to deliver without further delay the benefits of devolution to the people of Rotherham they have been promised for the last two years.

"The whole of Yorkshire has already fallen too far behind the rest of the country. Rotherham's position remains that we believe the Sheffield City Region Deal is our best opportunity to draw down funding and decision making to strengthen our local economy, and we have not yet seen any counter proposal which we believe would bring the same level of benefit to our borough.

"At the same time, I am acutely conscious that our colleagues in Barnsley and Doncaster have expressed a preference to be part of a wider geographical footprint in the future and it would not be appropriate for anyone to seek to prevent them from doing so.

"An interim mayoral arrangement, on either an elected or unelected basis, that allowed South Yorkshire to draw down the funding and powers connected to the Sheffield City Region Deal would be welcome.

"I would accept, subject to the usual democratic discussion, the broad outline of the proposal from the Leader of Barnsley MBC and the Mayor of Doncaster in their joint letter to you dated January 9.

"I am relaxed about the possible length of a first mayoral term, but there would seem to be merit to giving consideration to a two-year term, bringing South Yorkshire into the same electoral timetable as other Metro Mayoral areas in 2020.

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"At the same time as we accept the right of one or more South Yorkshire councils to pursue and ultimately commit to a deal on a different geographical footprint, it remains equally important that any authorities who would choose to remain within Sheffield City Region in the future should not be disadvantaged, either by a relative reduction in funding per head of population, or a reduction in the devolved powers, or by any moves that would see decisions currently made at a South Yorkshire level removed to a regional level further from the public. We would seek assurances about this as part of our negotiation.

"On this basis we are keen to pursue fruitful discussions at the first opportunity, allowing the Combined Authority to proceed to public consultation ahead of the council moving to consent to the resulting order.

"I have asked the council's Chief Executive to prioritise any conversations with your officials to help facilitate this."

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News: SCR role for Rotherham leader Read

Cllr. Chris Read, the leader of Rotherham Council, has become the chair of the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority (CA), taking on the role from Cllr. Sir Steve Houghton CBE, the leader of Barnsley Council.

Houghton temporarily stepped down from the role earlier this year as his authority, along with Doncaster, focused on a potential "One Yorkshire" devolution solution. Read has continued to commit to the devolution deal for the SCR, stating in September that "there is no Yorkshire deal."


As a proposed devolution deal stumbles, a Mayoral Combined Authority is still set to be created in the SCR, building on the 2013 agreement which saw the nine local authorities that comprise the city region create a new legal body with responsibility for transport, economic development and regeneration.

A mayoral election was delayed following a legal challenge over the consultation brought by Derbyshire County Council. Chesterfield and Bassetlaw Councils withdrew their applications to be full members of the Combined Authority.

Whilst a lack of consensus from the leaders of South Yorkshire's four councils denied the SCR the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government, an election is still due to take place next year.

The new Sheffield City Region Mayor is due to assume the Chair of the Combined Authority at the first meeting after the mayoral election i.e. the June 11 AGM.

With responsibility for looking after the funds for the work of the Local Enterprise Partnership and transport executive, the CA had income of £214m for 2016 / 17. No Members' Allowances or expenses were paid for the year.

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Sheffield and Rotherham Councils appear committed to the £900m Sheffield city region devolution deal that includes a new gain share deal within an envelope of £30m a year for 30 years – giving the SCR the power to use new funding to boost local growth and invest in local manufacturing and innovation. In return, the Government will require a directly elected mayor to hold accountability for the new powers.

Cllr. Read (pictured), said: "This is an exciting time for Sheffield City Region and it is a privilege to take up the position of chairman of the Combined Authority.

"I am also pleased to see so many bids have been submitted in response to the open call. The "let's get it done" work-ethic in Sheffield City Region harnesses drive and ambition.

"At SCR, we deliver. We keep our promises and get things done in an honest, no-nonsense way. This is helping us to build a truly competitive centre of business excellence. I look forward to seeing the best of these schemes coming through to fruition."

Cllr. Houghton, added: "It has been a privilege to be the chair of the Sheffield City Region. It is important now that I focus on Barnsley's ambitions for devolution.

"In the meantime, I will do as much as I can to support the new chair."

Following the breakdown of the SCR devolution deal, the region has encountered budgeting problems with the uncertainty over gain share funding, seen the Government delay the start of an employment support project and create problems for the Skills Bank.

In the Autumn Budget, areas which have a devolution deal involving a Mayor were guaranteed a large pot of money for transport projects whilst the SCR will need to bid for a slice of the remaining fund. A sector deal based around advanced manufacturing in the SCR has yet to be secured.

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News: Berry crushes One Yorkshire devolution hopes

Jake Berry MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, has made it clear that the Government will only look at other devolution options for Yorkshire if they do "not in any way undermine the Sheffield city region (SCR) deal."

Last month, a lack of consensus from the leaders of South Yorkshire's four councils denied the SCR the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government that promised £900m and extra powers.

Barnsley and Doncaster Council leaders said that a lot had changed since 2015 and that they would instead work on a Yorkshire-wide devolution deal.

However, in a Parliamentary debate this week, Jake Berry MP pointed out that there was no "coalition of the willing" and reiterated a letter from the Department of Communities and Local Government that confirmed that a "Greater Yorkshire" deal "should not and cannot include any of the South Yorkshire boroughs."

As it stands, this leaves the prospect of an election for a Sheffield city region mayor that would have relatively few new powers. A mayoral election is still set to go ahead in May 2018, to elect a mayor for the SCR Combined Authority. This mayor will chair the Combined Authority, have equivalent voting rights to existing local authorities at its meetings, and also have some powers relating to bus franchising.

The 2015 deal included more powers such as control over adult skills budgets and £30m a year for 30 years.

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During the debate, Jake Berry MP, said: "The Sheffield city region deal is the start of devolution, not the end of it. As a Conservative Government, we are not making a narrow political point. We will not gain any advantage from having a South Yorkshire mayor. I guess that the people of Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield deserve the devolution that they have been promised.

"Those areas came together in 2015 and asked this Government for the deal. We believed then—and still believe now—that passing power and money from Whitehall to those town halls can transform the lives of people in South Yorkshire. Then Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield reaffirmed their commitment to the deal—not once, not twice but on three separate occasions. At their request, not the Government's request, we legislated on two occasions to put ourselves in the position that we are in today. It is the law of the land, debated in this House, passed by this House, and voted on by this House that the mayoral election in the Sheffield city region will take place on 3 May 2018.

"The Sheffield city region deal is by all measures a good deal. It will bring £30 million a year of new Government money into one of the most deprived regions of the UK. It is one of the most generous devolution deals the Government have agreed. It equates to £22 per person per year in the Sheffield city region, compared with just £11 in Manchester.

"I have lived in South Yorkshire, and I know how deprived some of these areas are. People in Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham deserve the £1 billion the Government have brought forward for them."

He added that the Conservative party had begun the process to select a candidate for the mayoral election.

On devolution in the rest of Yorkshire, Berry said: "We welcome the discussions that have taken place over the summer, with talks having restarted after a significant period of stalemate. It is absolutely clear that there is no agreement around what has been referred to as the One Yorkshire deal.

"If Yorkshire leaders come to Government with a widely supported, ground-up Greater Yorkshire deal involving a single mayoral combined authority that does not in any way undermine the Sheffield city region deal, we will welcome that. We stand ready. We will meet with people, including [Archbishop of York] John Sentamu, because we believe that that deal, together with the South Yorkshire deal, has the potential to drive forward devolution in Yorkshire."

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News: SCR denied devolution deal

A lack of consensus from the leaders of South Yorkshire's four councils has denied the Sheffield city region (SCR) the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government that promised £900m and extra powers.

The leaders met this week and were recommended to approve work to continue to see through the devolution deal with the Government, but based on South Yorkshire only.

However, this option could only be taken forward with the approval of all South Yorkshire councils, and when Barnsley and Doncaster confirmed that they don't wish to proceed, it left the prospect of an election for a city region mayor that would have relatively few new powers.

Barnsley and Doncaster Council leaders said in a joint statement that a lot had changed since 2015 and that the Sheffield City Region deal without all the original nine local authorities was too small. The leaders said they would instead work on a Yorkshire-wide devolution deal, something that the Government has not yet committed too.

A statement yesterday from the Sheffield city region said: "At a meeting of the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority this morning, the leaders of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield councils could not reach agreement on the recommendation put before the meeting, which was to initiate public consultation on mayoral powers relating to devolution.

"However, as things stand, a mayoral election is still set to go ahead in May 2018, to elect a mayor for the SCR Combined Authority.

"This mayor will chair the Combined Authority, have equivalent voting rights to existing local authorities at its meetings, and also have some powers relating to bus franchising."

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The deal, signed in 2015, included control over adult skills budgets and £30m a year for 30 years. The city region warned at the start of the year that it would need to scale back activity due to the delays.

The Government made it clear that in return for the powers, a directly elected mayor would be needed and the order for the election, which was delayed by legal action, has already gone through Parliament. A mayor would chair the combined authority and have a vote equal to the local authority leaders.

Following the meeting, Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "Today's failure to reach agreement to progress with consultation on devolution to Sheffield city region is just the latest failure of councils across our region to grasp the funding and opportunities that already enjoyed by other parts of the country. Two years after signing the agreement in good faith, our inability to make progress will almost inevitably mean fewer resources to bring more jobs to our economy.

"However, we should also be clear what today's decision does not mean. It does not mean that there will be no mayoral election in South Yorkshire next year. unless the government chooses to change course, the order for that election is already laid. The election itself is expected to cost £1m to run. It simply means that wen the million pound mayor is elected they will have no formal powers and no budget.

"Neither does it mean that Sheffield city region ceases to exist. For now we will continue as we have been doing for the last few years, with the same responsibilities.

"It is especially disappointing that the failure comes just days after the start of two major projects in our area that are directly linked to funding secured through the city region: building the new Boeing factory off the Parkway, and the University Centre Rotherham in the town centre. For all the imperfections of our current arrangements, we have been making them work for the benefit of Rotherham residents.

"For now we remain committed to trying to break this latest impasse in order to secure the funding and opportunities that Rotherham residents deserve."

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News: Rotherham reiterates commitment to SCR devolution deal

Cllr. Chris Read, the leader of Rotherham Council has reiterated that Rotherham is committed to the devolution deal for the Sheffield city region. It came at the same time as Doncaster and Barnsley Councils issued a statement on their prime objective shifting to a "One Yorkshire" devolution agreement.

Council leaders are due to meet next week and are being recommended to approve work to continue to see through the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Devolution Deal with the Government, but based on South Yorkshire only.

However, this option can only be taken forward with the approval of all South Yorkshire Councils.

Sheffield and Rotherham Councils appear committed to the £900m Sheffield city region devolution deal that includes a new gain share deal within an envelope of £30m a year for 30 years – giving the SCR the power to use new funding to boost local growth and invest in local manufacturing and innovation. In return, the Government will require a directly elected mayor to hold accountability for the new powers.

A mayoral election was delayed following a legal challenge over the consultation brought by Derbyshire County Council.

Cllr. Read (pictured below) told a meeting of the full council this week: "The position of Rotherham Council hasn't changed. We had a devolution deal that we signed two years ago alongside our colleagues from across South Yorkshire. My position, was then, and remains now, that that is the best way of bringing the benefits of devolution to Rotherham.

"In view of legal challenges and other events, other colleagues and leaders have taken a different view and decided to seek out other alternatives. There are a number of council leaders now discussing whether there is a possibility of taking forward a Yorkshire-wide devolution deal. I have to say that the leader of Wakefield is an obvious person missing from those conversations. We continue to have those discussions.

"I would be lying if I said that I thought this was going especially well. I don't think it is. There will be an announcement early doors next week about the next stages for South Yorkshire but I have not deviated from the position that I recommended to this council ever since we brought the first report forward."

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A joint message from Cllr. Sir Stephen Houghton CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council and Mayor Ros Jones CBE, Mayor of Doncaster, focused on the recent progress made on a "One Yorkshire" devolution solution.

The statement read: "By uniting with colleagues from across the region it is clear that the prize is now within our grasp. Critically, the Government has also indicated that it is listening.

"Real momentum has been created in a short space of time and it is crucial that this momentum is maintained. One Yorkshire must therefore remain our clear priority.

"This does not mean we are intent on immediately disbanding Sheffield City Region. We are not, and we would of course be willing to consider interim solutions that may be viable.

"However this must not divert us from our key priority, so our next objective is clear. We will work with our colleagues across this great county, to secure a One Yorkshire devolution agreement with Government. Everything else should follow from that."

A number of options are up for discussion next week relating to geography, powers and timescales - consultation will need to be carried out again and agreement is needed from Parliament.

Cllr. Read continued: "Recent events have been sad for the city region because we were taking forward a proposal which some people have expressed an interest in moving away from and that isn't my style of doing business. It is worth saying that the districts were never full members - they expressed an interest in becoming full members and that was subject to legal challenge and they weren't able to do that.

"Let me say something about this proposal around Yorkshire because there's some suggestion I think in the media that local authorities have a choice between the Sheffield deal and a Yorkshire deal. But there is no Yorkshire deal, there is no agreement Yorkshire has as to what that deal is and there isn't any serious conversation taking place with Government about what that proposal would look like.

"From my point of view, I have to take a view about what is the best way, the most likely way, of securing investment and powers for the benefit of this borough. My view at this moment in time, and has been since we signed the deal, is through the Sheffield city region deal.

"If that deal no longer becomes practicable, if it is not possible to take that forward because other people have changed their minds, then clearly we will have to look at what other options we have in front of us. But that isn't a road that I would wish to go down at this stage."

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News: SCR devolution deal set to be South Yorkshire only

Council leaders are to meet next week and are being recommended to approve work to continue to see through the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Devolution Deal with the Government, but based on South Yorkshire only.

Described as "the only deal on the table," a deal with central government includes the creation of a Mayoral Combined Authority, building on the 2013 agreement which saw the nine local authorities that comprise the city region create a new legal body with responsibility for transport, economic development and regeneration.

The £900m devolution deal includes a new gain share deal within an envelope of £30m a year for 30 years – giving the SCR the power to use new funding to boost local growth and invest in local manufacturing and innovation. In return, the Government will require a directly elected mayor to hold accountability for the new powers.

Following withdrawals from councils who had originally intended to become constituent members, and with others wanting to secure the best possible devolution deal for their area, the combined authority (CA) has said it would meet next week to decide the way forward.

A number of options are up for discussion relating to geography, powers and timescales - consultation will need to be carried out again and agreement is needed from Parliament.

The leaders of Rotherham and Sheffield Councils did not join leaders from 17 other authorities who met last month to agree to the development of a "single ambitious devolution deal for the Yorkshire."

The paper to the Combined Authority reads: "Given this context, and in the absence of agreement on an alternative option, it is recommended that the CA proceeds with additional public consultation on a modified scheme for a South Yorkshire only Mayoral Combined Authority. This will put in place the powers and functions Order before the May 2018 mayoral elections."

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How a Mayoral Combined Authority would work was laid out last year. The current CA will keep its existing functions with political decision making around strategic economic development and transport. It operates executive boards focusing on business growth, skills, housing, transport and infrastructure.

Further powers, such as control over adult skills budgets, are set to be handed down, and the elected mayor will bring new functions related to transport, establishing a mayoral development corporation for planning powers and powers to prepare and publish a "spatial development strategy."

It is expected that whilst the Mayor would need to be in the majority for decisions relating to powers secured through this Deal, they would not need to be in the majority for decisions relating to the CA's existing powers and functions. It is also expected that non constituent members may continue to be given full voting rights on appropriate issues.

If the four leaders, and their respective local authorities in South Yorkshire, agree with this option, which is not guaranteed, consultation would begin on September 20.

If an agreement cannot be reached, options include holding a mayoral election in 2018 but with the prospect of them having limited functions, or deferring the mayoral elections.

Current member authorities do have the option to leave the current combined authority but would need to undertake a review and audit on what affect this may have.

Proponents of a full Yorkshire wide devolution deal have been given until mid November to put forward a compliant proposal to government. This requires agreement and input from all four constituent South Yorkshire authorities.

Another option looks at an interim mayor being in place from 2018 as the region looks to hold elections in 2020 – either the Mayor of Yorkshire as the first option or the Mayor of South Yorkshire (as a default if the Yorkshire option does not materialise).

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News: Leaders meet to discuss Yorkshire-wide devolution

The leaders of Rotherham and Sheffield Councils did not join leaders from 17 other authorities who met to agree to the development of a "single ambitious devolution deal for the Yorkshire."

Last month, political leaders in the Sheffield city region (SCR) decided to defer making a decision until September on their own devolution deal and Cllr. Sir Steve Houghton stepped down temporarily from his role as Chair of the combined authority to avoid any possible conflicts of interest whilst Barnsley explores all other possible devolution options.

One option is devolution on a Yorkshire-wide scale and Yorkshire council leaders met last week and have agreed to work together. Leaders from Barnsley and Doncaster attended the meeting and supported the approach as well as supporting a deal for Sheffield and Rotherham.

The £900m SCR devolution deal includes a new gain share deal within an envelope of £30m a year for 30 years – giving the SCR the power to use new funding to boost local growth and invest in local manufacturing and innovation. In return, the Government will require a directly elected mayor to hold accountability for the new powers.

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Earlier in the year, Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, gave his backing to the SCR deal. He said: "There is much speculation about other devolution deals, and other geographical arrangements, but there is only one devolution deal on the table anywhere in Yorkshire and it is the one that we negotiated alongside our closest local authorities - those with communities most like ours.

"My view remains that if we are to ever achieve the devolution of powers, and more importantly of spending, that we seek in order to promote jobs and strengthen our economy then the most likely way of achieving that is through a deal very much like the one that we negotiated before.

"Of course circumstances may change - and if they do then we would need to re-examine our response and I will bring that information to members - but our analysis should remain a hard-headed approach on how best we can spread opportunity and prosperity."

The 17 Yorkshire councils are now committed to exploring proposals with colleagues, local stakeholders including MPs, business, unions and political groups. Leaders plan to meet again in early September to decide how best to take this negotiation forward with Government at pace and with local backing.

Last month, Jake Berry MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, said: "While devolution discussions are ongoing elsewhere in Yorkshire, government remains committed to the existing South Yorkshire deal."

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