By David Garness, managing director of Garness Jones
I was delighted when a devolution deal for Hull and East Yorkshire was announced in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement late last year.
As someone who has run a business which is heavily involved in the development of the region for more than two decades, I have seen how we have long required a collective approach when it comes to prosperity, progress and inward investment.
People have often said we are the ‘forgotten region’ – the place at the end of the line which never gets Government support and funding. Well now the Government is holding out its hand to lift us up and onto a level playing field with others. It is the opportunity we must take.
A chance to build upon our thriving industries
Devolution is the way the Government has been heading for some time. It wants every part of England to have a devolution deal by 2030 – and if we in Hull and the East Riding want to benefit to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds worth of investment – we need to be involved.
Hull and East Yorkshire is home to 610,000 people, and as was referenced by the Government in its announcement, the region has many growth sectors which can thrive with support.
These include manufacturing, chemicals, low carbon technologies, health technologies, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, food and drink, ports and logistics, construction, digital and creative industries and tourism and culture. We have so much to offer when we bring together the collective strength of Hull and the East Riding, so for me, these are exciting times.
This is important for everyone – not just businesses
I understand that with any major announcement such as this, it can be hard to capture the imagination of those not involved closely with investment, regeneration and development.
People may think this is about politics and business, and of course it is, but it’s also about much more. It’s about raising skills levels and job opportunities, raising living standards, and improving health. They all come together hand in hand.
The message I am spreading is that this impacts everyone in our region, and so I would encourage all to read up on the details of the deal, how it will work, and to take part in the consultation period which begins today.
Perhaps the phrase ‘combined authority’, which is being used, is a bit misleading, as Hull City Council and East Riding Council will still stand alone as their own authorities moving forward, but will now come together in a structured manner to deliver the best for the region collectively on strategic issues.
I think it provides a great platform to build upon a much improved relationship over recent years, which has actually brought us to this very exciting opportunity.
A chance we can’t afford to miss
The figures being talked about in terms of investment to drive growth and deliver local projects are incredible.
There’s a pledged £400 million investment of funding over 30 years, up to £15 million in 2024/25 to support transport, flood and coastal erosion programmes, and £5 million in 2024/25 to support local economic growth priorities, including any further expansion of Siemens Gamesa at Alexandra Dock in Hull.
Significantly there is also the commitment to rail electrification between Hull and Sheffield, and Hull and Leeds, which of course would be hugely positive for our region.
We must realise now that Hull and the East Riding is already under serious threat of being left behind as other areas with Mayoral Combined Authorities are being prioritised for devolution and funding allocations.
We are the only area in Yorkshire, and one a few in the north of England, without such status. If we don’t go down this route we, in my opinion, will become invisible to those controlling the purse strings in Government, and to those in the boardrooms of big businesses looking where next to invest. I’ve seen it begin to happen all ready, and that’s a worrying situation.
By establishing a Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, we will make sure we cannot be ignored. As a combined region we’ll be able to open discussions over funding and investment which without a deal would not pass the first ‘tick box’ stage, and we will give our region the best possible chance of progressing and prospering – as we all want, and need it to do.
