Newark and Sherwood recognised as top priority for levelling up agenda as Nottinghamshire councils band together in devolution bid
Newark and Sherwood has been recognised by government as one of the top priority areas for ‘levelling up’.
To help correct inequalities within the county and create a more level playing field with areas in the south of the country, all of Nottinghamshire’s senior tiers of local government have banded together to move forward with devolution plans for city and county.
This time, unlike when last fielded, there would be no dissolution of councils or drastic alterations to governance structure as we know it.
However, city, county and district and borough councils would work together to level up Nottinghamshire. As part of this, Nottinghamshire councils have been meeting to formulate a plan for joint actions.
Although it is early days, themes and priorities are emerging, with a focus on transport and infrastructure, skills and employment, and climate change.
Goals include attracting significant inward investment, boosting economic growth and raising productivity, and growing the private sector. Further, to raise living standards and achieve a demonstrable reduction in inequalities including in poverty, health and social care; deliver high quality places to live for all residents and, secure better outcomes and value for money for local taxpayers through public sector reform.
Detailed plans of activity will be formed in the coming months, with early conversations being held with government to seek devolved powers and resources to drive local ambition.
Leaders are also in discussions about joining up local services. Potentials include joint working to deliver the new waste collection duties in the Environment Bill; supporting areas where there are currently skill shortages, for example planning; and streamlining back office functions.
The approach is in response to the government’s call for local leaders to work jointly on the new ‘levelling up’ agenda including devolution — a key initiative to ensure every area has the powers and resources needed to recover from the covid-19 pandemic.
Government is particularly keen to see this collaborative approach in areas that have been hard hit by covid and missed out on public and private investment over the years.
The government’s Levelling Up White Paper is expected to set out plans for further rounds of local devolution, which will be more flexible and bespoke to the needs of individual places.
In readiness for the White Paper, the Nottinghamshire councils are preparing the case for the city and county to hold greater powers — taking some control from London’s central government.
This approach does not require the creation of additional tiers of government or the creation of a regional or local mayor.
There is a strong political consensus across the region on the development of a coherent vision for HS2, the electrification of the Midland Mainline and wider Midlands Engine Rail.
Council partners said a devolution deal would provide local determination of strategic priorities and a unified voice for the county’s priorities in discussions with government, such as on the East Midlands Airport Freeport.
County council leader Ben Bradley MP said: “Councils in Nottinghamshire serve 1.1m people. So many decisions that impact on their lives are decided in Westminster.
“This is our opportunity to bring those decisions closer to home, so they reflect the needs and ambitions of local businesses and communities here in the city and county, rather than 130 miles away.
“We would use any powers to grow the private sector by attracting investment in jobs and make sure the skills needed match the sectors that invest in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
“The long-term result would be to create jobs, raise living standards and to restore local pride. Devolution is also an opportunity to improve public services.
“Levelling up is not just about concrete infrastructure projects such as roads and rail. It needs to go hand in hand with improvements in the conditions for good quality health and education to improve the life chances of people in areas previously underfunded. This could transform the lives of people across Nottinghamshire.”
The priority themes are: Education and skills, transport, environment, economy and infrastructure, and land and housing.
Long list aspirations include health and social care, visitor economy, heritage and culture, youth services and supporting vulnerable adolescents, community safety and cohesion, and reducing re-offending.