Radical approach needed to devolution in Yorkshire, think tank warns, as calls set out for 'concerted effort'

Policy Yorkshire, looking at how to strengthen the region’s voice at Westminster, has called for a new assumption in favour of devolving powers.

Among key recommendations are calls for powers to be matched by giving mayors the ability to raise and spend the money they need in policy areas they are responsible for.

This, said the think tank, would prevent the need for them to go “cap in hand” to Whitehall, but such a move would require a “concerted effort” to prove the region can handle new powers and raise and spend money responsibly.

The paper follows a webinar organised by Policy Yorkshire last year on how to improve Yorkshire’s voice in Westminster.

The region is currently split, with a mayor in place in South Yorkshire and elections to be held in West Yorkshire in May. In North and East Yorkshire, proposals are being debated.

Given the present picture, Policy Yorkshire warns it is “vital” that Mayors have parity in respect of the powers they hold.

“The very real danger is that without this it will be difficult to ensure the kind of collaboration that is crucial to the region’s success,” the report warns.

The region must present a voice of “unity” following warnings that divisions undermine the region’s standing and ability to be heard, the report said.

Additionally, it calls for a campaign to raise awareness of the concept of directly elected mayors, amid suggestion fewer than a third of people support the idea.

“The region’s Mayors need to be seen as credible figures, who the public trust to implement real change in their area,” the report observes.

Today’s calls follow a webinar in which warnings were issued that there will be difficulties achieving anything in Whitehall if the Yorkshire region is seen to be divided.

The meeting, with speakers which included the former head of the civil service Lord Kerslake and Yorkshire-born former Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles, was aimed at examining how Yorkshire can strengthen its position at a national level.

Also in attendance was Leeds City Council leader Coun Judith Blake as well as Nigel Wilson of Homes for the North.

Yorkshire 'battered and bruised'

Now, following the webinar, today’s report called on Mayors elected or yet facing election across Yorkshire to show a willingness to collaborate, with formal structures to be put in place to achieve this.

The report additionally includes calls by Lord Kerslake for Yorkshire to develop policy proposals which are evidence based, entrepreneurial and pro-active.

“It is undoubtedly the case that Yorkshire has been battered and bruised over the past few years,” the report concludes.

“We have got to a stage whereby we now have a clearer idea of what devolution will look like it is time for everyone in the region from whatever sector or background to have confidence in the region and what it has to offer.”

An MHCLG spokesperson said: “We’re levelling up and empowering all areas of the country by devolving money, resources and control away from Westminster.

“We intend to bring forward the Devolution and Local Recovery White Paper in due course.”

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