WYCA Leaders aim to put City Region at vanguard of devolution

Responding to the announcement that David Cameron has formed a Government, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) Leaders have stated their intention to work with government and put the City Region at the forefront of devolution.

WYCA Chair, Cllr Peter Box said:�

�Now that the election is decided, the Combined Authority will be pressing for a meeting with David Cameron�s new government to discuss how we build upon our successful Growth Fund settlement and first stage devolution deal.

�Comprehensive devolution would provide us with the powers and resources to achieve the Combined Authority�s ambitions of creating good job opportunities and a skilled workforce to fill those jobs, building decent, affordable homes, developing clean and reliable transport, reduce crime and ensuring the best care and support is available when people need it."

West Yorkshire Combined Authority member and Leeds Council Leader Cllr Keith Wakefield said:

�Devolved schemes run locally by our LEP colleagues have already achieved hugely successful results.

�Building upon that success and working with the government to establish a meaningful agreement will enable us to re-shape our economy and public services and put the Leeds City Region at the vanguard of devolution."

WYCA's first stage devolution deal will enable the Combined Authority to address skills shortages in local industries, encourage more small businesses to take on apprentices and provide a more responsive and flexible system to support business growth and help companies break into new export markets.�It will also provide us with a greater say over long-term transport and housing planning.

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