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.

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.

A new Combined County Authority

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has been created as part of the devolution deal between the Government and the four upper tier councils of Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council. 

The EMCCA has been given powers, functions and funding worth £1.14 billion from the Government. It means that decisions about investment in our areas, which are currently taken by central government, will be made locally. But  it is estimated that the region will unlock around £4bn of funding over the coming years because of this devolution deal. 

Local authorities would still exist as individual councils but the new Combined County Authority, led by a new regional Mayor, would work with all councils across the area to deliver the best possible outcomes for the residents and businesses. There would also be opportunities for private, public, and voluntary sector organisations to contribute and have their voices heard.

Jacob Young MP, Levelling Up Minister, signed the regulations that allow for EMCCA to be created on Tuesday 27 February 2024. The letter received by the Chief Executives of the four constituent authorities is available to  read here

As part of the devolution deal, the EMCCA must have a directly elected mayor. The Government believes a Mayor means clearer accountability over local powers, functions and funding.

A key part of the role is to act as an advocate and global ambassador for the Combined County Authority area and the 2.2 million residents who live here.  

The Mayor leads the Combined County Authority, working with partner councils, business representatives and stakeholders on areas like transport, housing, regeneration, employment and skills, economic investment and the net-zero ambition. 

The Mayor’s term of office will run for four years.  

The Mayor is directly elected by residents in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham. The first election for a regional mayor is happening on Thursday 2 May. Find more details here.