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Devolution deal brings
multi million pound boost to Liverpool
COMMUNITIES Secretary Sajid Javid have
announced ?30 million of Government funding to the Liverpool City Region, thanks
to the area's ground breaking devolution deal. Over the next 30 years, the region
will receive ?900million.
Mr Javid made the announcement during a visit to Liverpool, a year to the day
since their ground breaking devolution deal was signed. The devolution deal
allows local people to take back control of decisions that matter to them and
provides extra investment in the Liverpool City Region, including:-
► Powers over transport, including influence over
local bus operators and multi year budgets.
► Powers over strategic planning.
► Greater responsibility for skills provision.
► Improving local transport connections.
► Business growth and helping to develop key industries in the area.
► Regeneration, development and the city region's thriving culture.
► Delivering new homes.
Voters will also get the chance to vote for a directly elected mayor for the
area in May, giving the Liverpool City Region a powerful new voice.
Speaking in Liverpool, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:- "Today's
?30million cash boost is just the first instalment of nearly ?1billion that will
be given to the Liverpool City Region over the next three decades. This
devolution deal allows the people of Liverpool to take control of the decisions
that matter to them. With new powers over transport, business growth, housing
and regeneration, voters will also get a chance to choose their region's first
mayor in May to put these powers into practise."
Mayor Joe Anderson, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority,
said:- "Today's meeting demonstrates our on-going discussions with
Government to devolve resources and power to the City Region. Through our
Devolution Agreement, we are able to make decisions and manage funding for a
range of issues that best serve our residents and businesses across the
Liverpool City Region. We understand the issues and challenges better than
Ministers in Whitehall. This funding will be used to support businesses to grow,
secure new investments, improve our road transport infrastructure and rail
stock, secure the future for our cultural assets including galleries, provide
better training and apprenticeships which meet the needs of the City Region's
employers, as well as attracting more businesses in the City Region."
As part of efforts to deliver an economy that works for everyone, the government
is devolving wide ranging powers directly from Whitehall to local people who
know their areas best.
Handing power back to local people is a key part of the government's plans to
build a Northern Powerhouse.
In return the government requires that strong governance arrangements are put in
place to ensure local leaders are directly accountable to the people that they
serve.
Now the Liverpool City Region is reaping the benefits through today's first ?30
million payment to the new Combined Authority.
The Liverpool City Region devolution deal is 1 of 9 across the country; 8 of
which have directly elected mayors. It means decisions that have previously been
made in Westminster will now be made in the areas they affect most.
The other areas with devolution deals are:-
► Greater Manchester.
► West Midlands.
► Cornwall.
► Sheffield City region.
► Tees Valley.
► Greater Lincolnshire.
► West of England.
► East Anglia.
Earlier in November 2016, Council leaders in the
North East walked away from a similar deal which would have brought significant
benefits to local people according to many. |
