Last chance to voice views on devolution deal

Today (Friday, January 15) is the deadline for online comments on the proposed Sheffield City Region deal.

Sir Nigel Knowles, chairman of Sheffield City Region, local enterprise partnership, said: “It is important that  businesses and residents take part in this consultation and help make our proposed deal a reality. 

“The proposed deal has the potential to accelerate local business growth and create more and higher paid jobs in the area. 

“By transferring powers and funding from government, this deal will give local leaders, who better understand what is needed to grow our economy, the powers needed to maximise local business growth."

The proposed deal would see £900 million of additional funding and see more powers devolved so that more decisions can be made in the region.

Sir Steve Houghton, chairman of Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, said: “Our in-principle deal with government is focused on being able to grow businesses faster and create more and better jobs opportunities for local people. 

“These are issues that people really care about and so I encourage residents and businesses to make time to respond to the consultation before it closes at the end of the week.”

In October 2015, politicians and business leaders secured the in-principle deal with Chancellor George Osborne to transfer national powers and control over funding from national government departments to the Sheffield City Region – as well as securing £900 million additional cash boost over the next 30 years to deliver major regeneration, infrastructure and business growth schemes.

Leaders will be negotiating details of the proposed deal over the coming months.

The deal needs to be formally approved by each of the councils within the Sheffield City Region and is also dependent upon the city region agreeing to the creation of a directly-elected mayor.

For more information or to submit your views visit the Sheffield City Region website.