Cllr Box confirms support for One Yorkshire solution to devolution

Combined Authority Investment Committee Chair and Wakefield Council leader Cllr Peter Box today added his support to the �One Yorkshire� solution to devolution.

A "coalition of the united," Cllr Box told the Yorkshire Post, had the greatest chance of �transforming our region and making a real difference to the lives of those people we are privileged to represent�.

Cllr Box said: �I believe that a city region devolution model had the potential to deliver the biggest growth in the shortest time for Wakefield.

"It�s clear that the overwhelming majority of councils believe that growth can be delivered on a wider Yorkshire geography. At the end of the day though, we all want an ambitious devolution deal.

�Over the last few weeks it�s become apparent that the government will use any difference between us over the best model of delivery as a reason for not devolving any of the powers and resources that we need to deliver our shared ambitions. That cannot and must not be allowed to happen.

Totally committed

�As someone who chaired the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Assembly for almost 10 years I am totally committed to getting the best deal for Wakefield, the wider region and its residents.

�I will therefore be putting my full support behind the One Yorkshire proposal and will work closely with colleagues across the county to try and ensure that we have a deal in place by 2020.

�I will be working to make sure that we get a deal which matches Wakefield�s ambition, has a strong sub-regional element and ensures that any bureaucracy and red tape is kept to a minimum.�

Earlier this month, the leaders of Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Doncaster, East Riding of Yorkshire, Hambleton, Harrogate, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby and York councils reaffirmed their support for a One Yorkshire deal.