Time is running out for people across Nottinghamshire to have their say
Time is running out for people across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to have their say on an agreement that could see £1.14 billion being invested in the area. The agreement will see a new East Midlands Authority being set up, headed up by a newly elected Mayor for the region.
The Mayor and the members from the four councils would all have voting rights on the new authority, but non-voting members could also be appointed. In particular, the devolution agreement says that members representing the 15 district and borough councils across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire could be appointed.
The Mayor and members of the authority will be scrutinised by an overview and scrutiny committee and an audit committee. These committees will be made up of at least one member nominated from each of the four signatory councils. The Mayor will also have the power to ask residents to pay council tax to support the Mayor's work. However, a promise has been made that this power will not be used.
How could the new authority affect housing? The CCA will be given the power to acquire and dispose of land to build houses, commercial space and infrastructure. To do this, it will be given compulsory purchase powers, but this will need the agreement of the four signatory councils, the district and borough councils where the relevant land is located and the Housing Secretary.
The Government will make an investment of up to £9 million to support the East Midlands in its net zero ambitions. The CCA itself will act as a coordinator for setting up a heat network in the East Midlands, with heat networks supplying heat from a central source to consumers.