On Friday 31 August, the Government officially granted EMCCA Established Status, meaning we are now an ‘Established’ Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA). 

As an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority, EMCCA will have more powers to make decisions locally and deliver for people and businesses across the East Midlands. This includes greater control over local transport ticketing, a stronger role in shaping affordable housing programmes, and increased responsibility for funding and support to help businesses start, grow and succeed.

Established Status also means EMCCA can ask the government for additional powers and responsibilities in the future. That opens the door to even more decisions being made closer to home, giving the region greater influence over the issues that matter most to local communities, businesses and the economy. 

Over the past two years, EMCCA has shown it can manage major projects and funding effectively. This includes taking on Adult Skills and becoming the region’s Local Transport Authority, helping to deliver real benefits for the people of the East Midlands.  

• With the Adult Skills Fund, EMCCA now commissions, contracts and performance manages provision across colleges, local authorities and training providers. In practice, this means more local control over the courses and training available, helping people access skills that lead to better jobs, higher wages and new career opportunities, while ensuring employers can find the talent they need. 

• In January 2026, EMCCA became the Local Transport Authority for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, following the transfer of 62 staff, 233 contracts, 21 systems and major operational assets. This means decisions about local transport can now be made closer to home, helping to create better-connected communities, improve public transport services, and make it easier for people to get to work, education and essential services across the region. 

• The Capital Investment Fund demonstrates EMCCA’s ability to manage a long-term programme of investment aligned to regional priorities. Through two funding rounds that attracted strong interest, EMCCA has supported 20 projects, unlocking £33 million of investment across the East Midlands. For local people, this means more investment in the places where they live and work, helping to deliver new opportunities, improve local infrastructure, support regeneration and create the conditions for economic growth across the region. 

Being granted Established Status shows that the government recognises this progress and trusts EMCCA to take on more responsibility and make more decisions locally.

Being ‘Established’ is a requirement and a step towards the government granting a more flexible multiyear ‘integrated’ funding settlement. This means more flexibility to spend money on areas such as transport, skills and economic development for the benefit of the region. 

Established Status is also an important step towards our 2028 ambition. By then, EMCCA will have a broader and more influential role across the region. This includes taking on Police and Crime Commissioner, and Fire and Rescue Authority functions and governance and working even closer with our local councils and partners.