Mayor seeks stronger devolution powers with Established Status bid

The Mayor of the East Midlands has written to the Government to seek more devolution powers with an application for the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to be granted ’Established Status’.

Established Status can be awarded to devolved authorities which have been led by a Mayor for at least 18 months and can demonstrate a strong track record of performance and delivery. If the application is successful, it would mean EMCCA gets more powers in areas such as transport, employment, and housing, and the ‘right to request’ further powers for the region.

Established Status is a critical step in EMCCA becoming the regional engine the East Midlands deserves, because it enables the authority to work towards joined-up funding from government, an ‘integrated settlement’.  

Public resources are, too often, wasted on bidding for separate pots of money, distracting people in public services from the job of improving lives and delivering new opportunities. It will also reduce disruption when new infrastructure is delivered, as Mayor Claire and local council leaders will have more freedom to join up different types of investment.  

It is also seen as a mark of trust with central government. Established Status will help EMCCA to access Government funding where it is earmarked specifically for Established Authorities. For example, current Established Authorities will receive £30 million each to support local innovation partnerships.

‘Established Status means more decisions closer to home’

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “With more powers and an integrated funding settlement to follow, we will be able to plan for the long-term, drive growth, and ensure opportunities are spread fairly across the region. Established Status means more decisions about transport, jobs, skills, and investment will now be made closer to home, by people who understand our region, leading to a stronger future for the East Midlands.” 

Mayor Claire is applying at the earliest opportunity for EMCCA to become an Established Authority – 18 months after she was elected as the first Mayor of the East Midlands – by writing to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, Steve Reed.

Mayor Claire’s letter sets out EMCCA’s strong track record and ambitious plans for growth, backed by its newly launched East Midlands Growth Plan. The letter highlights how EMCCA is already delivering for the region, with the final touches being put to a Get East Midlands Working Plan and having already secured more than £2 billion of investment from Whitehall in transport to 2032, highlighting the Government’s confidence in the authority.

Also, a 10-year £160m strategy and investment plan is in place for the East Midlands Investment Zone, a £10m Capital Retrofit Programme was completed within EMCCA’s first year, while EMCCA has secured more than £35m towards redeveloping brownfield sites with the potential to deliver about 2,000 homes.

Mayor Claire said: “Securing more flexible funding would mean that instead of small, short-term pots of money from different government departments, the East Midlands would be able to deliver better for local people.

“This means less red tape and greater freedom to spend that money where it makes the most difference, be it fixing transport, building homes, boosting skills, creating jobs, or investing in communities.” 

EMCCA’s application for Established Status was agreed at the latest EMCCA Board meeting on 13 October, with backing from all four constituent authorities: Derby City, Derbyshire County, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County councils.

The Mayor will continue to engage with the Government on next steps towards securing Established Status and a future integrated funding settlement. Under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, it is anticipated that Mayoral Strategic Authorities that meet Government criteria will be designated as Established Authorities in summer 2026.