Devolution deadlock could cost Yorkshire 'economic opportunity of a lifetime' - Marsh

Roger Marsh claimed the “stakes could not be higher” amid the ongoing failure to reach a deal with the Government over the transfer of major powers and cash from Whitehall to local control.

Large swathes of northern England, including South Yorkshire, have already reached so-called ‘devolution deals’ which will see them given more control over areas such as transport, skills and housing in return for creating new elected mayors.

But West, North and East Yorkshire have so far been unable to reach agreements amid wrangling over which parts of the region should partner together and the Government is refusing to act as a referee.

West Yorkshire council leaders have been pressing for a ‘Leeds City Region’ deal covering West Yorkshire and some of the neighbouring North Yorkshire districts but a competing plan would see a single agreement struck for the whole of West, North and East Yorkshire.

It had been hoped a breakthrough could be achieved in time for an announcement as part of the Budget but with only a week to go there is no sign of an end to the deadlock.

Mr Marsh, chairman of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I’m a businessman, not a politician, so I’ve avoided making many public statements on the devolution process so far.

“However, having supported a Leeds City Region deal since the initial set of “asks” were submitted in September last year, I can no longer bite my tongue and see the economic opportunity of a lifetime missed.

“Full credit is due to West Yorkshire’s local leaders: they have been consistent throughout that devolution is about a stronger economy, more jobs, an efficient transport network and above all better quality of life for local people. A potential deal is on the table that could achieve all of this and ensure that decisions on the issues that really matter locally – housing, jobs, bus services, business growth, skills – are made here, by people who understand them.”

Writing in The Yorkshire Post, Mr Marsh, a former senior partner at PwC in Leeds, claimed a failure to reach agreement in the coming days could see the area “denied devolution until 2020”.

He continued: “It is bad news for the vision of an inter-connected, globally recognised and economically vibrant Northern Powerhouse, and it’s bad news for the country.”

On the two competing proposals, Mr Marsh added: “If our region wants to see devolution progress soon, the only immediate option is a Leeds City Region deal.

“This could be followed by others as soon as practicably possible, with appropriate collaborative links on issues such as culture, sport and tourism.

“Other proposed solutions are not workable – certainly not within the 2017 timescale that Manchester, Sheffield and others are working towards.

“If a City Region deal isn’t agreed, not only will the whole of Yorkshire continue to miss out, but also the North and the nation.”