Yorkshire Leaders Board attendee statement

Representatives of 17 of the 20 councils across Yorkshire agreed the following statement today after meetings of Yorkshire�s APPG and the Yorkshire Leaders Board in York:

All the leaders present were united in reaffirming their support for the widest possible One Yorkshire devolution agreement with the Government with the scale and ambition to deliver a stronger inclusive economy that benefits the whole region.

Leaders welcomed the new approach taken by Government with a view to a Yorkshire deal and were keen to build on these positive steps. They welcomed the opportunity to discuss these with the Secretary of State and looked forward to holding that meeting at the earliest possible opportunity to agree a way forward.

Yorkshire council leaders also welcomed the unity on the issue across party lines, from MPs, trade unions, business leaders and from the voluntary sector expressed at the APPG and the following meeting of Yorkshire�s council leaders.

The leaders expressed confidence that progress is being made towards securing a deal which would deliver a directly elected Mayor for Yorkshire by 2020 and thanked all sides taking a constructive and flexible approach.

Leaders are convening a special additional meeting of the Yorkshire Leaders Board before the next scheduled meeting at the end of March to further take forward devolution planning and discussions.

Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Doncaster, East Riding of Yorkshire, Hambleton, Harrogate, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby and York Councils were represented at the meeting.