East Midlands Combined County Authority granted Established Status by government

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is welcoming additional powers after being named by the government as an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA).  

As an Established Authority, EMCCA now has the right to request new powers and responsibilities. It also unlocks the ability for EMCCA to apply for a more flexible, integrated funding settlement – in practical terms, this means greater local control over funding and decisions, rather than managing multiple separate funding streams.  

This status reflects government confidence that EMCCA is well run, delivering effectively, and ready to take on further responsibilities. Under the leadership of Mayor Claire Ward, EMCCA has shown it can manage major projects and funding effectively. This includes taking on Adult Skills, becoming the region’s Local Transport Authority and managing our long-term investment fund: helping to deliver real benefits for the people of the East Midlands.   

Mayor Claire said: “This is a major milestone in our mission to make the East Midlands the best place to live, to work, and to learn. It demonstrates that we are already delivering across the region, and it will enable us to deliver more. 

“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. 

“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.” 

New powers 

Established Status means EMCCA will become an ‘Established’ Mayoral Strategic Authority. 

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 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.

Integrated settlement 

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’.   

The move to a single funding settlement means having greater flexibility in how funding is used. This means being able to move funding between different priorities and use it in ways that better meet local needs.  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. 

Amy Harhoff, EMCCA chief executive officer, said: “EMCCA is supporting a growth, building a more connected, skilled and sustainable region. Achieving Established Status is a clear signal from government of the progress we have made as a region, a signal of our maturity and track record. 

“With Established Status, we can now pursue deeper devolution for the Region including more flexibility with our funding from government and requesting new powers and responsibilities to unlock the barriers to growth. 

“We will continue to work with our partners, from improving transport and skills to supporting jobs, housing and climate resilience, to understand and work with our businesses to deliver inclusive growth, as one Team East Midlands.” 

David Williams MBE, chair of EMCCA’s business advisory board said: “Businesses across the East Midlands need the right conditions to grow, such as good transport links, access to skilled people and clear, joined-up support. Established Status gives EMCCA greater ability to focus on these priorities and make decisions that reflect what our regional economy actually needs.  

“The East Midlands has huge potential. These new powers can help unlock more of it, supporting firms to invest and expand and ensuring more communities share in that success.” 

Major projects and funding 

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. 

Since its formation in 2024, EMCCA has shown it can manage major projects and funding effectively, Including:  

• 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. 

Find out more about Established Status