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Council backs devolution deal

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date27 November 2020
Date27 November 2020
Publication titleHuddersfield Daily Examiner
It means devolution for the region - and an elected West Yorkshire Mayor - is another step closer.

Proposing consent to the deal, Council Leader Shabir Pandor described it as "a huge moment for Kirklees and a huge moment for West Yorkshire" and that it would "shape our future" by providing some freedom and flexibility.

He added: "It's probably the best devolution deal that has been struck with the government" and called it "the big prize".

He said Westminster had "stepped up" and urged the council to follow suit by endorsing the deal.

Labour and the Conservatives voted for the draft order at a meeting of full council on Wednesday. Consent for the draft order going to government was ratified yesterday morning by Cabinet.

The £1.8bn devolution deal includes £38 million per year for 30 years to go into a West Yorkshire Investment Fund with significant freedoms to spend on local priorities.

The Transforming Cities Fund will offer a further £317m and there will be £63m annually geared towards adult education.

The deal did not find favour with Liberal Democrats, who voted against the draft order to establish a mayoral combined authority.

Group leader Clr John Lawson (Cleckheaton) described it as "a Faustian pact" and added: "There's a question about democracy and local voices of residents and councillors being lost in the concentration of powers into one role. The answer is: think of the money!"

His party colleague Anthony Smith (Lindley) called it "a bad deal" and...

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