Doncaster and Barnsley MBCs' willingness to explore a pan-Yorkshire devolution deal at the expense of a south Yorkshire deal is of grave concern to businesses in south Yorkshire.
In a letter written to the leaders of Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield, with more than 150 signatures, businesses urged the councils to seize the Government’s offer of a south Yorkshire devolution deal.
The signatories include the chairman of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Nigel Knowles, and the vice chancellor of the University of Sheffield, Mark Capper.
Reminding the leaders that they agreed to the deal in 2015, the businesses stressed their concern about the potential loss of funding and the impact on firms in the region if the deal was not finalised soon.
The Government’s lacklustre support for a single devolution deal for Yorkshire was also highlighted.
‘Many business leaders, across South Yorkshire, are very concerned about reported further delays in bringing to fruition the devolved powers deal for our region,' the region read.
‘The possible loss to the region of significant funding is clearly of real concern.
‘While the recent withdrawal of Bassetlaw and Chesterfield from the subsequently broadened Sheffield city region devolution deal is disappointing, this is far less significant than the recent public indication that not all of the four south Yorkshire local authority leaders remain certain regarding their future commitment to the deal for our region.
‘Even if [a pan-Yorkshire deal] was to become available in due course, we would suggest it is far less of a priority for our region at this time than proceeding to develop our south Yorkshire economy.’
Last month, the chair of the communities and local government committee, Clive Betts, who is also the MP for Sheffield South East, warned council leaders not to waste their time on ‘meaningless discussions’ exploring a Yorkshire-wide devolution deal.
Earlier this month, chief executive of the Centre for Cities think-tank, Andrew Carter, warned places without a mayor would fall further behind the likes of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands without a mayor.
Doncaster and Barnsley councils have been approached for comment.
