New Mayor and East Midlands Combined County Authority given final go ahead

1st March 2024

The last legal step to establish the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has been signed and made into law.

Jacob Young MP, Levelling Up Minister, this week signed the regulations that allow for EMCCA to be created. It means that residents across the area will get to vote for the very-first East Midlands Mayor, with elections taking place on Thursday 2 May 2024.

The new combined county authority is all thanks to a devolution deal, which will see the region benefit from a £1.14bn investment package, spread over a 30-year period, alongside devolved powers around transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development and net zero.

Cllr Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “The passing of this final piece of Government legislation is an historic milestone for Derbyshire and the wider region.

“It marks the moment when the East Midlands Combined County Authority comes into existence, bringing a £1.14bn devolution deal to our region to improve people’s lives through better housing, improved transport and new job opportunities.

“In many ways it’s only the beginning of this exciting journey and more benefits and funding are already starting to flow – such as the government’s announcement of £1.5 billion local transport funding for the new East Midlands Mayor.

“Year-on-year the new combined county authority will bring even more funding to our region through a strong, collective voice and a national platform.”

Plans for East Midlands devolution are similar to those already in place in other mayoral regions, like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, and it is estimated that the region will unlock around £4bn of funding over the coming years.

The East Midlands devolution deal, agreed with Government ministers in 2022, will see Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham benefit from a £1.14 billion investment fund. All four councils approved the creation of EMCCA in December.

In October 2023, the Government announced around £1.5 billion in transport funding for the East Midlands Mayor.

Thanks to devolution plans, the East Midlands has also been invited to establish an ‘Investment Zone’, which will attract £160 million of support over ten years, with tax incentives for businesses that will help boost economic growth right across the region.

Government will continue to work with EMCCA and other partners to co-develop plans for the East Midlands Investment Zone – which will bring in hundreds of millions of pounds of private investment and create thousands of jobs – including priority development sites and specific interventions to drive cluster growth, ahead of final confirmation of the plans.

£18 million has already been awarded to the area during devolution negotiations, which is being spent on improving local housing, transport and skills provision.

Further investment for the region would also be provided through annual Whitehall budgets and spending reviews.

The inaugural election for Mayor of the East Midlands will take place on Thursday 2 May 2024.

For more information on the elections, visit www.eastmidlandsdevolution.co.uk

Businesses in Chesterfield can hear from mayoral candidates for the East Midlands Combined County Authority at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield conference, taking place on 20th March 2024.

Regional business leader appointed to key devolution role

16th February 2024

A top regional lawyer has been appointed to the shadow board steering the creation of the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), ahead of the very first election for East Midlands Mayor in May.

David Williams, Chairman of Geldards, one of the UK’s leading law firms, will take on the role of interim business representative on the EMCCA shadow board, joining local politicians from the four key councils involved in the East Midlands devolution deal.

David said: “I’ve lived and worked in the East Midlands for over thirty years and I’m committed to doing what I can to raise the profile and economic prosperity of the region, developing the many successful partnerships between the private, public and third sectors. I’m looking forward to working with political leaders and other partners to maximise the opportunities that devolution will bring to the region.”

Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “David will be a tremendous asset to the shadow board and his appointment is another important step forward as we press ahead towards the creation of the new East Midlands Combined County Authority. David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role and we look forward to working with him during this key period for East Midlands devolution.”

Alongside his role as Chairman of Geldards, a top 100 law company with more than 300 employees, David holds a number of non-executive and trustee positions, including Chairman of EMB Group Limited, Deputy Chair of D2N2 LEP, Board member at Nottingham Trent University and a non-executive Director of East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.

EMCCA is set to bring in around £4 billion of funding for the region, alongside devolved powers for transport, skills and adult education, housing, the environment and economic development.

Businesses in Chesterfield are being invited to find out more about the East Midlands Combined County Authority at the upcoming Celebrate Chesterfield Event.

Taking place on 20th March 2024, the conference will host the candidates for the upcoming EMCCA mayoral election. Book your place here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in Celebrate Chesterfield, chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, East Midlands Combined Authority

Chesterfield firms to find out more about East Midlands devolution plans at town’s largest annual business conference

30th January 2024

Organisations in Chesterfield are invited to hear from the first mayoral candidates in the running for the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

The EMCCA will bring forward £1.14 billion of investment for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby City and Nottingham City over the next 30 years, unlocking economic growth and jobs, as well as significant funding and devolved powers for transport, skills and adult education, housing, the environment, and economic development.

Ahead of the mayoral election, which is set to take place on Thursday, 2 May 2024, businesses will have the chance to hear from Conservative candidate Ben Bradley, Labour’s Claire Ward, Green-Party’s Frank Adlington-Stringer and Independent Matthew Relf at the Celebrate Chesterfield Business Conference taking place this March.

In a conversation chaired by Chris Hobson, Director of Policy and Insight at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire), candidates will outline their plans to boost our region’s economic growth, establish new relationships and broaden the pipeline for inward investment.

Now in its thirteenth year, Celebrate Chesterfield, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield and in association with System Q, has become a key date in the town’s events calendar, attracting more than 250 delegates each year.

In 2024, the event will highlight the big impact that small innovations have on the town’s economic growth, focusing on investment, regeneration, and entrepreneurial successes.

Delegates will also hear about the new Destination Chesterfield plan, which outlines partnership activities to further raise the profile of the town as a destination to invest, work, live and visit.

Peter Swallow, Destination Chesterfield Chair, commented: “We are very excited to be hosting mayoral candidates at the Celebrate Chesterfield Business Conference, and finding out more about their ambitions for the region. Our town has major plans for regeneration over the coming years, and our businesses are hopeful that the extra funding will provide a welcome boost by attracting further investment to Chesterfield.

“At our Chesterfield Champions event in January, we heard about some of the regeneration projects that could be supported by the EMCCA. We heard how the East Midlands Investment Zone will focus on advanced manufacturing and green industries, expected to support the creation of £383 million of private investment and help to create 4,200 jobs regionally. We also heard how funding is set to increase each year until 2026/2027.

“I would also encourage the business community to come along to find out how Destination Chesterfield plans to further collaborate with partners and businesses in the future, to continue supporting economic growth and regeneration across the borough.”

Mike Isherwood, Managing Director at System Q, commented: “We are proud to be the headline sponsor of Celebrate Chesterfield, a prestigious event that holds great significance to us. Chesterfield has been our cherished home for three decades. Our town boasts a thriving business and technology sector, which we believe deserves recognition and admiration. We think it’s a priority to showcase and celebrate the strengths of Chesterfield and we are honoured to support our community.

“As we continue to expand, we are seeking partners and talented individuals to join our team. Celebrate Chesterfield is a fantastic platform for local businesses to establish valuable partnerships, secure investments, and recruit top talent to drive our growth even further.”

As well as being in association with System Q, Celebrate Chesterfield is also supported by the University of Derby and Markham Vale.

This year, the event will also host the Celebrate Chesterfield Business Expo, featuring the East Midlands Chamber Business Support Zone and the Investment Zone (currently open for sponsorship). At 70% full already, businesses are encouraged to reserve a spot quickly to avoid missing out.

Delegates wishing to attend Celebrate Chesterfield can book their free place at the event here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/celebrate/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in Celebrate Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield 2024, Chesterfield business events, chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, East Midlands Combined Authority, East Midlands Mayor, East Midlands Mayoral Election