East Yorkshire Councillors have united to back a mayoral devolution deal with public consultation and endorsement but the East Riding’s leader was unable to say if there would be a referendum.
East Riding Council Leader Cllr Anne Handley said locals and councillors would be consulted at every step along the way to securing a devolution deal with Hull.
The Conservative added ideas that it would lead to merging with Hull or to a monarch-like, unaccountable mayor were myths, with it instead putting more power in local hands.
Liberal Democrat opposition leader Cllr Denis Healy said his group were willing to back a mayor and put aside their concerns about putting too much power in one person’s hands.
Councillors’ unanimous backing of a motion welcoming moves towards a mayor come after Hull’s and the East Riding’s leaders announced the change in direction last week.
They also backed provisions on consulting residents and asking for their endorsement of a deal, the form of which was not specified.
Cllr Handley and Hull City Council’s Leader Cllr Mike Ross’ announcement marked a turn away from steps towards a county devolution deal without a mayor.
Cllr Ross, who previously opposed a mayoral deal, said he had come around to it to move things on after little progress since the first proposals were tabled in 2020.
Cllr Handley told East Riding Council’s full meeting on Wednesday that a county deal would have meant less money, powers and accountability.
The leader added East Yorkshire risked being left behind if a deal is not secured but she would only back a deal if it is right for the area.
The Conservative said:
“This council has been in discussions on devolution for too long, the time has come to get on with it.
“We will not be combining with Hull, that’s a myth which needs to be put to bed, we will work together on strategic issues such as transport and economic growth.
Some people are concerned a mayor will be too powerful and unaccountable, that’s not the case, if we don’t like them we can vote them out.
“We’re the last area in Yorkshire without a deal. My concern is that if we miss the boat then we’ll be left out of the picture.”
Cllr Handley also said she could not say when the deal would be agreed, when a mayoral election would be held or if it would be put to a referendum.
She also defended Teesside Mayor Ben Houchen, saying he was doing an outstanding job amid a government investigation into corruption allegations over money for regeneration projects.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Healy said there was no doubt that a devolution deal was long overdue. But the opposition leader added consultation with locals throughout the process should be meaningful.
Cllr Healy said
”We’re isolated because we haven’t got on with this, it’s high time we get it sorted.
“We Liberal Democrats aren’t that enthusiastic about the concept of a mayor, they’re accountable to the people but only once every four years.
“But this shouldn’t be about ideology, if it’s possible that this offers greater devolution of powers on economic growth and special economic zones and delivers further progress then it’s right to make concessions.
“Once we’ve got something tangible then we should secure the endorsement of residents.”
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