Greg Clark meets with Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to discuss devolution of powers
Discussions on new powers that would give greater control to local people.
Discussions on new powers that would give greater control to local people across Derby and Nottingham were kick-started today (6 August 2015) at a meeting with Communities Secretary Greg Clark.
A major devolution of power and resources from Whitehall to local areas is taking place across the country with the government determined to put local people who know their area best in control of setting their own course.
Places are being encouraged to come forward with ambitious proposals to devolve powers they need to grow their local economy and to help their cities, towns and villages thrive.
Today’s meeting included council leaders and chief executives from Derby, Nottingham, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire who make up the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership that is spearheading proposals for a devolution deal.
Local Government Minister Marcus Jones and government adviser on local growth Lord Heseltine also attended.
D2N2 have previously published an ambitious set of proposals through their Growth Deal that aimed to create thousands of new jobs and homes, improve skills training to meet the needs of local employers and deliver a fully integrated transport system.
Communities Secretary Greg Clark said:
We’re committed to giving local people the powers they need to take the lead in creating jobs, nurturing businesses, building homes and improving services because we know it is local people who are best placed to make decisions about its future.
The meeting with D2N2 is an important step in driving forward discussions that have come from the ground up that will help get more powers devolved to the local level.
Local Government Minister Marcus Jones said:
There are enormous opportunities across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire that will play an important part in driving forward the Midlands Engine.
We’re determined that communities have the powers they need to support businesses and services so that local economies can thrive.
A deal for the area will play an important part in helping to rebalance the economy and creating a Midlands Engine that will boost local economies.
Devolution is an important part of the government’s one nation commitment to devolve powers to local areas across the country and ensure hard working people can benefit from the strong economy and decide on issues that affect them.
Our long-term economic plan is helping create 55,000 jobs and 4,000 new homes throughout the area. We’ve invested £196.5 million from Growth Deals and £46 million from City Deals.
Further information
The D2N2 area covers the 10 unitary, county and district councils covering Derby and Derbyshire and the 9 unitary, county and district councils covering Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
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