East Midlands Chamber has said one of its longstanding calls to Government – getting greater devolved powers for Leicester and Leicestershire – has taken a ‘significant leap forward’ after councils in the city, county and Rutland called for a regional mayor in a letter to ministers.
The letter from leaders from the ten councils that cover Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland said there should be a Mayoral Strategic Authority.
Achieving devolution for Leicester and Leicestershire at pace is one of the asks in East Midlands Chamber’s Framework for Growth, while the Chamber is a supporter of the recently launched campaign Devolution Leicestershire.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “This is extremely welcome news and is the first step in securing greater investment into the city and counties, something the business community has been clamouring for, for the last couple of years.
“I hope Government is completely receptive to this approach and responds with a pace of implementation that will create a landscape that inspires.”
East Midlands Chamber Chair of the Board Kevin Harris said: “This is a significant leap forward as Leicester and Leicestershire would benefit enormously from devolution. I’m delighted that councils across the city, the county and Rutland are giving their voice to this need, that’s essential in unlocking growth.
“With this backing loud and clear from local leaders and a longstanding ask from the Chamber, Government should fully recognise the need to make this happen and now deliver devolution to Leicester and Leicestershire with haste.”
To view East Midlands Chamber’s Framework for Growth in full click here.
Find out more about Devolution Leicestershire here.
