Council leader's "have your say" appeal on new regional powers

ROTHERHAM residents get the chance to have their say this week on how new powers being devolved to our region should be used.

Sheffield City Region — which brings together nine local authority areas in South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire, including Rotherham — is set to receive an additional £1.3 billion under a new deal to devolve greater responsibility and control over decisions which are currently taken by central Government.

The City Region would have new powers and funding to improve transport, infrastructure, skills, housing and other drivers of business and economic growth.

The powers would be exercised by council leaders and a directly-elected city region mayor.

A consultation has been launched to seek the views of local people and businesses on how the devolution deal, secured in principle in October last year, will work in practice, with a number of roadshow events taking place around the region.

 

Rotherham’s roadshow is taking place in All Saints’ Square today, between 9.30am and 4pm.

Devolution will allow the City Region to focus on a number of key developments, including enhancing investment, creating new businesses and helping existing ones to grow plus investing in education.

Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Borough Council, urged local people to take part in the consultation and attend the roadshow.

“The devolution deal is hugely important for the people of Rotherham," said Cllr Read (pictured).

“It could be the key to unlocking many of the significant projects we are looking to deliver here in Rotherham, and to securing the skills development and jobs that are so critical to Rotherham's economic regeneration.

“It is important that the proposals we have negotiated are all about drawing down powers and funding from the Government to enable us to take more decisions about our area in our area, and aren’t about changing the role of councils to shifting powers upwards away from communities.

“I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity — either in person at the roadshow or online — to give their views about what devolution could do for them, and the benefits it could bring for generations to come.  

I look forward to hearing from residents.”

People can take part in the online consultation at www.sheffieldcityregiondevolution.org.uk.