Council leader welcomes devolution deal

THE leader of Rotherham Council has welcomed the news that the South Yorkshire devolution deal is near completion - saying the economic recovery is of “paramount importance” following the coronavirus pandemic.

The Sheffield City Region deal is expected to be agreed in Parliament, and the money and devolved powers should be available within weeks, giving the Mayor of the Sheffield City Region Dan Jarvis more power over transport in South Yorkshire, and funding.

Council leaders from Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley would make up Mr Jarvis’ cabinet.

Cllr Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council welcomed the deal, adding: “Although it has taken us too long to get the South Yorkshire devolution deal over the line, the important thing now is that more resources and powers will begin to be made available to the region.

"Because of the difficulties worldwide in the face of the coronavirus crisis, economic recovery is of paramount importance.

"There is a particularly acute need for us all to support the South Yorkshire economy, and this deal will help us to do that."