Dear Resident,
A consultation has been launched across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on proposals for a new devolution deal for the area.
We are encouraging residents and businesses to find out more about the proposals and have their say. The views expressed in the consultation will help the secretary of state and local councils make their decisions.
You can find out more on our website at
www.eastcambs.gov.uk or at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/devolution and fill in the survey at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/devolutionsurvey
We want to hear both your views and the views of your residents. Please feel free to also use the information below in any Parish publication or newsletter.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough proposal includes forming a Combined Authority that would include the following organisations – Peterborough City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridge City Council and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership.
The proposal to Government to form a Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is being submitted to Government – the bid includes:
- A new £20million annual fund for the next 30 years (£600million) to support economic growth, development of local infrastructure and jobs.
- £170 million for affordable housing, including £100 million for affordable, rent and shared ownership – particularly in response to housing issues in South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. There is a proposed specific £70 million fund to meet housing needs in Cambridge which Cambridge City Council have indicated would be spent on new Council housing.
- Supporting the delivery of the Wisbech Garden Town and the Wisbech-Cambridge rail connection.
- Providing new homes across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough including affordable homes in Greater Cambridge.
- Transport infrastructure improvements such as A14/A142 junction and upgrades to the A10 and the A47 as well as Ely North Junction. Also it would support development at Wyton and St Neots.
- Rail improvements, including a new station at Soham (new rolling stock, improved King’s Lynn, Cambridge, London rail)
- Investment in a Peterborough University with degree-awarding powers.
- A local integrated job service working alongside the Department of Work and Pensions.
- Co-designing with Government a National Work and Health Programme focused on those with a health condition or disability, as well as the long-term employed.
- To integrating local health and social care resources to provide better outcomes for residents.
- Devolved skills and apprenticeship budget – to give more opportunities to our young people.
- Working with Government to secure a Peterborough Enterprise Zone – attracting investment from business leading to more and better quality jobs for residents.
- Working with Government on the continued regeneration of Peterborough City Centre.
- This proposal is to be the first in a series of proposals which devolve more funding and powers from Government to this area.
Government says in order to secure a devolution deal, and the decision making powers and funding that come with it, there must be a combined local authority with a single person in charge, usually referred to as a mayor.
The combined authority would mean a sharing of certain powers to make sure decisions benefitted the whole area and how this is governed would be up to the authorities set out in the deal.
Cambridgeshire County Council and the other councils would keep their sovereignty and continue to deliver services for residents as we do currently – even if we are part of a combined authority.
At the end of June 2016, Cambridgeshire County Council, alongside Cambridgeshire and Peterborough City councils and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership, agreed to put these proposals out to public consultation. The consultation will run until Friday 23 August 2016.
Please have a look and make your views known and feel free to encourage your residents and businesses to also have their say.
We are also carrying out phone surveys of residents and hard copies of the consultation can be obtained from research.group@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Versions in alternative formats/languages available on request by emailing research.group@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Government would review all of the consultation feedback ahead of publishing the draft orders to form a combined authority, which councils would debate in the autumn.
Your feedback will also inform councillors’ future decisions on this matter.
Thank you
Jo
Jo Brooks
Director, Operations
East Cambridgeshire District Council
Tel: 01353 616498
Email: Jo.Brooks@eastcambs.gov.uk