Devolution would mean a new guaranteed funding stream of £1.14 billion, or £38 million a year over the next 30 years to help level up the East Midlands, as well as an extra £16.8 million for new homes on brownfield land.

We would have much more control over our own area. Rather than many major decisions being made for us in London, as happens now, local people would have a say in the region’s priorities.

Devolution provides opportunities for the area to improve the economic, social, and environmental well-being of the people who live and work in the area including:

• Local control over a range of budgets like the Adult Education Budget, so we can use the money to meet the needs of people in our communities
• Local powers to tackle challenges that are specific to our area and harness its true economic potential, for the benefit of everyone who lives and works here
• Working more effectively on a larger scale across council boundaries, further strengthening partnership working across and between our counties and cities.

Devolution has seen real improvements in other parts of the country where it has been successfully adopted. Plus, other areas with devolution deals have been able to make their funding go even further by offering loans to businesses so they can invest and grow, with devolved areas making money from the interest – so the true financial benefit is likely to be greater still.

A new Combined County Authority

Devolution would create a new legal entity known formally as a Combined County Authority (CCA). This would include Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council and cover the areas of both cities and both counties.

The four authorities would still exist as individual councils and would work together on a formal and legal basis to improve the region for our communities and businesses.

Rather than a brand-new tier of government, devolution would move existing funding and powers from London, directly to us in the East Midlands, which means that local voices would play a greater role in decision making.

The new Combined County Authority would include representatives from existing county, city, borough, and district councils and it would be led by a new regional Mayor. There would also be opportunities for private, public, and voluntary sector organisations to contribute and have their voices heard.

A new regional mayor would give us a bigger voice, more influence, and a higher profile across the country. It would create a single point of contact for businesses and other organisations looking to move into our region or expand.

A regional mayor would help us speak with one voice and help us make a strong case to the Government for more investment in the East Midlands.

The mayor would be directly elected by residents in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham, giving them more influence over issues which affect them.

The first election for a regional mayor would be in spring 2024.