After years of getting nowhere with a “county” deal, which would see power switching between East Riding and Hull Councils annually, they are now talking to the government about a mayoral devolution deal.

Council leader Anne Handley said some councillors were concerned that a mayor would be “unaccountably powerful” but insisted they would be held to account by a mayoral cabinet, with representatives from both councils.

She said the idea of a mayor “being a monarch like figure is yet another myth that we must work together to bust.”

However Lib Dem David Nolan asked her: “Do you not recognise that what’s happening in Teesside under Ben Houchen is something that’s not accountable to residents or the mayoral board and judging by all the reports, in Private Eye and on Newsnight, he’s not acting in the public interest?”

Coun Handley countered that the Mayor’s vote share “is up to 73 per cent” and said he’d brought £1.6bn into the region.

She said: “I think Ben Houchen is doing an outstanding job and I would be absolutely delighted to think that is the sort of money we can bring into East Yorkshire.”

Coun Handley was also asked whether there would be a referendum on having a mayor so “it doesn’t just go to the parish councils for a chat”.

She said: “I can’t promise a referendum today, we are at the beginning.”

At the same meeting councillors voted unanimously to cease their £120 million pension fund investment in fossil fuels.

The motion included a committment to fully divest from fossil fuel funds including direct ownership by May 2028.

Yorkshire Party councillor Andy Walker said it would mean a “minor financial realignment of just two per cent of the total fund being reinvested.”

He said it would send a “clear message...that we want to be part of the solution”.

As of May, 14 council areas in England are using the "mayor and cabinet” system.

Tory council leader praises Ben Houchen for 'doing an outstanding job'