Cambridgeshire and Peterborough set for new mayor
Residents are set to get a greater say over how their area is run, thanks to a ground-breaking devolution deal.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough residents are set to get a greater say over how their area is run, thanks to a ground-breaking devolution deal announced today (16 March 2017) by Communities Secretary Sajid Javid.
The new deal includes fresh powers to create new jobs, improve skills levels, build more homes and improve transport. This will all be led by a new mayor who can represent the region on the international stage. Residents will be able to vote for their new mayor on 4 May.
The deal also comes with significant new funding, including £600 million for economic growth and £170 million for housing. The first payment is expected to be made within days.
Mr Javid announced the new deal while visiting the Boathouse Business Centre in Wisbech.
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:
The people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough came up with an ambitious devolution deal which puts them in charge of decisions that matter to them.
This multi-million pound investment into the region is proof that we’re backing Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with the resources they need.
With powers over transport, skills and housing all coming to the area, I’d urge residents to head to the polls on 4 May and vote for their new mayor.
Devolution spreads to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough devolution deal will for the first time, give the area new powers to control local services, bringing jobs and prosperity to the area.
This new devolution deal means the area will receive:
- control over a new investment fund of £20 million a year over the next 30 years
- new planning and housing powers to manage planning across the region – this includes a £100 million Housing Investment Fund and an additional £70 million ring-fenced for Cambridge City to meet its housing needs
- a devolved transport budget and transport powers to help provide a more modern, better-connected network
- new powers over skills and in particular responsibility for the adult education budget in the region
Further information
Devolution deals are putting power in the hands of local people. They help communities take control of decisions that matter to them, with combined authority mayors who will be accountable to the people they serve.
So far the government has agreed ground-breaking devolution deals across the country and on 4 May there will also be elections for new mayors in some of England’s proudest regions: Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, West of England, West Midlands and Tees Valley.
Each mayor will:
- have control over new long-term budgets from central government
- exercise powers to control local roads, transport investment, strategic planning, improve skills and build new homes
- lobby on behalf of their area on the issues that matter to local people, not only in Westminster but also on the world stage
- work with local business leaders to achieve what’s best for local jobs and the economy
- capitalise on local strengths and assets like our universities, scientific research and innovation
This new devolution deal with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, which is being formally announced today, was agreed with the 7 local authorities covering Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership.
The authorities covered by the deal are:
- Cambridge City Council
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- East Cambridgeshire District Council
- Fenland District Council
- Huntingdonshire District Council
- Peterborough City Council
- South Cambridgeshire District Council
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