Why refusing a wider devolution deal is a let down for East Yorkshire - Yorkshire Post Letters

As a resident of East Yorkshire, I feel along with others that I have spoken to, let down by the actions of the leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Cllr Anne Handley, who orchestrated the devolution with the Labour government, which wanted a far wider geographically devolution or combined mayoral authority.

We have not got the full potential of funding for future industry investment, transport and housing as south of the Humber, with its ports and heavy industry infrastructure has not been included in the devolution deal.

Paid politicians are appointed to obtain the best deals for the residents and businesses of the region but Cllr Anne Handley took it on herself to just go for a Yorkshire deal as we in East Yorkshire and Hull are the last segment in 'Greater Yorkshire' to have a devolution deal with central government.

This in my opinion is appalling on her part as she has been the 'architect', this is her own words, of the East Yorkshire and Hull deal.

In my opinion this is short sighted as the bigger picture has not been explored by Cllr Anne Handley and her team of senior Council officers.

In Greater Manchester, Mayor Andy Burnham, has included former towns like Wigan, Bolton and Bury which were formerly in Lancashire and Stockport which was in Cheshire in this very successful combined mayoral authority.

I feel that this great costly mistake for the residents of this fine county, which was made by East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Leader, Cllr Anne Handley, makes it difficult for her to lead the council and she should step down as leader before the next elections in May 2025.