Devolution

Devolution explained

In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to the -

  • local people
  • communities
  • businesses

they affect.

An announcement was made during the 2023 Autumn Statement that Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council had agreed a devolution deal with Government.

Following approval from councillors, a statutory public consultation took place, with the results showing public support in favour of the proposals.

The Hull and East Riding Unitary Leaders’ Board then submitted the final devolution proposals to the Government, which ministers signed off in September 2024.

The relevant order to create the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) was laid by the Government in Parliament in November 2024, and the MCA officially began its work in February 2025.

The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) is now established as the devolved body to receive the transfer of powers and funding from national to regional government to address issues that affect the Hull and East Yorkshire area. It means that decisions previously made hundreds of miles away in Westminster can now be made in the region by a directly elected mayor, working with local council leaders, the Police and Crime Commissioner and others, on behalf of the local people, communities and businesses that they represent. 

It acts as a strategic entity, not replacing either council, and adds value at a wider geographical level.

HEYCA works closely with Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council to ensure that decisions that affect the region can be made in a way that is most responsive to regional priorities in areas such as economic development and delivering a strategic transport plan. The aim of the Combined Authority is to encourage greater growth and stronger partnerships between public, private and community leaders in local areas.

More information about devolution is available from the Local Government Association as well as the YouTube video below – (https://youtu.be/tJ-3TakUuww).

What devolution means for Hull and East Yorkshire

The deal negotiated by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council to create the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority guarantees that £400 million of investment funding comes to the region over a 30-year period.

HEYCA also has powers to take on decision for the whole of the area, on issues such as -

  • transport
  • adult education and skills
  • housing investment
  • regeneration

These benefits came as part of a Level 3 devolution deal, the most lucrative deal available to newly devolved areas, and only available through a Mayoral Combined Authority. Neither Hull City Council nor East Riding of Yorkshire Council would be able to access these advantages on their own, or without a mayor.

Investment

The devolution deal brings significant investment into the area, which helps to create more jobs, training and opportunities for local people.

Key aspects include -

  • £400m investment funding over 30 years, to drive growth and deliver local priorities
  • up to £15m in 2024 to 25 to support transport, flood and coastal erosion programmes across the area, including a coastal regeneration programme in the East Riding
  • £5m in 2024 to 25 to support local economic growth priorities, including any further expansion of Siemens Gamesa offshore wind facility at Alexandra Dock in Hull
  • £4.6m to pave the way for the building of new homes on brownfield land in 2024 to 25
  • UK Shared Prosperity Fund planning and delivery from 2025 to 26
  • new powers to shape local skills provision, including devolution of the core adult education budget
  • new powers to drive regeneration and build more affordable homes
  • new powers to improve and integrate the regional transport network, with a multi-million-pound integrated transport budget
  • a commitment to rail electrification between Hull and Sheffield and Hull and Leeds, integrating East Yorkshire into the Northern Powerhouse Rail network

Combined Authority

A Combined Authority is a legal body that allows a group of 2 or more councils to collaborate and make collective decisions on certain issues that cross council boundaries. When a combined authority makes a decision, the councils then put it into action in their own areas.

The 2 councils have not merged under this devolution deal. They remain as separate authorities and continue to deliver services as before.