Council agrees £900m devolution deal

The proposal was officially backed at Wednesday’s Rotherham Borough Council full meeting.

Leader Cllr Chris Read said: "It moves us another step closer to securing all the benefits which this deal will bring to Rotherham and is a measure of our ambition to be one of the first places in the country to be making important economic decisions for ourselves rather than depending on London."

Barnsley and Doncaster councils have also officially ratified their deals, with other authorities in the city region to consider proposals this month.

The deal will mean powers on transport, business, housing, regeneration and training brought north from Westminster.

Nigel Knowles, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is welcome news that Rotherham Council is fully supporting the devolution deal. 

“This deal will enable public and private sector leaders to continue to work together to strengthen businesses and create more and better jobs for people in Sheffield City Region.”

Elections for a regional mayor to oversee the new funding — given over 30 years — could take place in May 2017.