Talks launched on new authority to oversee £1bn transport bid

THE Government has launched a consultation over whether local authorities across West Yorkshire working with York should be allowed to create a new combined authority,

By The Newsroom

Published 9th Nov 2013, 00:01 BST

If given the go-ahead, the authority would take the leading role in improving the area’s transport network through a £1bn fund as well as overseeing other efforts to grow the economy.

For techical reasons York would not be a full member of the authority at the outset although it is expected to eventually become one.

Council leaders will be joined by three representatives of opposition groups and the chairman of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Government’s consultation will close on January 2 and if, as expected, Ministers decide to give the go ahead it is due to start work in April.

However, the authority has already started to meet as a shadow body and is due to hold its first meeting in public on Monday.

A Government consultation on a similar proposal for councils in the Sheffield City Region to form a combined authority closed last month.

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