East Midlands Mayor sets out plan for jobs, growth and greener communities

The Mayor of the East Midlands has unveiled a new Corporate Plan setting out a clear and ambitious vision for the region’s future, focusing on delivering meaningful, lasting change at pace. 

The Plan sets out a practical roadmap to support jobs, attract investment, improve public services and build greener, healthier communities, building on outputs from the Growth Plan, launched in 2025.  

It outlines how the East Midlands Combined County Authority will work with partners to deliver investment across major growth areas and support long-term development across the region.  

This Corporate Plan, approved at the latest meeting of the EMCCA Board, represents the Mayor’s vision for the East Midlands.  

Mayor Claire said: “The past year was about laying the groundwork. Now, this plan is about delivery – turning ambition into action people can see and feel every day. 

“We want the East Midlands to be one of the fastest-growing regional economies in the UK, with good jobs, better transport, greener communities, and more opportunities for local people. That is what our residents expect, and it is what we must deliver.” 

Backing growth and opportunity  

EMCCA has delivered major investment and progress across the region, including:   

• Publishing a 10-year East Midlands Growth Plan;   

• Started delivery on the £160 million, 10-year East Midlands Investment Zone programme.  

• Launched a £25m Investment Fund to support town centre regeneration and new business and community spaces, including £4m for Ashbourne, Chesterfield and Staveley;   

• Invested in key sites such as Broad Marsh in Nottingham and the Infinity Prototyping Centre in Derby.   

Over the next three years, EMCCA will back business growth and enable job opportunities through initiatives including; Invest East Midlands, Visit East Midlands, our £108 million Local Growth Fund and the East Midlands Investment Zone and Freeport sites.   

These investments help to create jobs, attract private funding and regenerate brownfield land.   

EMIZ is backed by £160m of government funding and is expected to attract £383m in private investment, create more than 4,000 high-quality jobs and unlock 180 hectares of brownfield land.  

Leading the Way in Green Growth  

EMCCA has taken steps to make the East Midlands a leader in clean energy and green technologies.   

• The Mayor has secured plans for an £11 billion redevelopment of Cottam Power Station and £1.3bn investment for STEP Fusion at West Burton.  

• The Authority has funded the development of England’s largest Local Area Energy Plan and submitted two proposals for Artificial Intelligence Growth Zones to Government.  

Over the next three years, we will unlock investment in fusion, hydrogen, solar, wind and carbon capture projects, while improving flood resilience and biodiversity across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.  

Skills for Good Work  

The plan emphasises equipping residents with the skills needed for good jobs and shows the significant progress made to boost jobs, skills and opportunities across the East Midlands, with early actions demonstrating the impact of our commitment to improving life chances for residents.
 

• Launched the Get East Midlands Working Plan, aiming for 80 per cent employment across the region, over the next decade;  

• Implemented more than £50m in devolved Adult Skills Funding;  

• Supported more than 1,200 young people into education, employment or training through our Youth Guarantee.  

Over the next three years, the Authority will tailor the regional skills and employment offer to tackle barriers to employment and equip residents with the skills they need to access good work and provide young people with support to realise their potential. 

Better Transport and Connected Communities  

Significant progress is already being made to transform transport across the region, backed by major long‑term investment and a clear plan to create a safer, greener and more reliable network. 

• The region has secured £2.2bn in long‑term transport funding and is developing the Mayor’s Transport Plan.  

• The Mayor has already invested over £115 million for 2025/26 and this will rise to £121 million every year for the next three years to fix roads, tackle potholes and upgrade walking and cycling routes.  

• There is also an extra £21 million a year from 2025/26 to 2028/29 to improve bus services and accelerate the shift to electric buses.  

• Plus, the Mayor is investing in major road schemes, including Up to £11.7 million for major upgrades along the A614/A6097 in Nottinghamshire and £3 million to improve the A514 junction in Derby, cutting delays and boosting safety. 

Over the next three years, EMCCA will develop a more reliable and sustainable transport system by delivering the Mayor’s Transport Plan and progressing a £2.2 billion pipeline of long‑term investment. As the new regional Transport Authority, EMCCA will ensure bus services are improved and better meet the needs of local residents. 

 Homes and place  

EMCCA is committed to supporting new homes and development across the region, having signed a partnership with Homes England to support the Mayors ambition of 100,000 homes for the region over the next decade.  

• Secured £36.5 million to support the building of up to 2,000 new homes on brownfield land. 

• Hundreds of homes have been retrofitted in a £10 million programme to reduce energy bills and tackle fuel poverty. 

• Take action to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping.  

Over the next three years, the region’s first Spatial Development Strategy will unlock development across the region, from the Trent Arc to the Supercluster. The Authority will work with partners to prevent and reduce homelessness and rough sleeping to help those most at risk into secure homes. 

Health and Wellbeing 

EMCCA is already delivering meaningful improvements across our communities, supporting local resilience, strengthening neighbourhoods and bringing partners together to shape a healthier, more connected East Midlands. 

• Launched the £3m Mayor’s Community Development Fund to strengthen community resilience, boost skills and empower residents to shape their neighbourhoods. 

Over the next three years, EMCCA will unite partners to tackle health inequalities, prioritise prevention and improve health and wellbeing for all residents. We will build safer, healthier and more cohesive communities, ensuring residents have a strong and effective voice in our work. 

Mayor Claire said: “I am confident we can deliver what this plan sets out. Not because the challenges are easy – they are not – but because the East Midlands is full of talent, ingenuity and determination.  

“This is our commitment to our residents: we will move from plans to progress, from ambition to impact, and that we will keep pushing – every day – to make the East Midlands a better place to live, work and thrive.” 

Alongside the Corporate Plan, the Authority has published the first East Midlands Outcomes Framework to enable joint working, and measure progress towards, shared outcomes with our partners.  

Read the latest EMCCA Corporate Plan 2026-29