The government has invited local areas to put forward expressions of interest in negotiating devolution deals and Essex is expected to submit a proposal by 30 September, covering the whole of Essex, that is Essex County (with its twelve districts) and the unitary authorities of Southend and Thurrock.
Essex Chambers of Commerce, which represents around 700 businesses, including many with a national or international profile, believes that Essex would benefit from a mayoral deal and that the three authorities should be aiming for this rather than a less ambitious deal, without a mayor.
A mayoral deal would involve a directly elected Mayor, with executive powers and accountability to the electorate rather than to a particular political party. This would put Essex on a similar footing to the West Midlands, Greater Manchester or Teesside, where the introduction of mayors has significantly raised the profile of those areas and encouraged investment and confidence in their ability to determine and deliver on local priorities without undue interference from central government and without being beholden to local factional interests.
We also believe it would help to get Essex working better together and leave behind years of antagonism and distrust between councils. Whilst it would not abolish any existing local authority boundaries it would be a powerful catalyst for them working together more strategically, efficiently and effectively – as well as bring significant new government funding for investment in transport infrastructure, skills, business support and other areas necessary to underpin economic growth. Our business members were extremely disappointed last year that the three Essex councils were unable at that time to unite behind a shared ambition for a mayoral deal.
We have another opportunity now and it is one we believe the councils must grasp. We have seen how in Norfolk and Suffolk a perceived lack of ambition has derailed their devolution deal – and Essex is in danger of being left behind other places which are prepared to embrace fully the principles of devolution.
Essex Chambers members large and small and across a range of sectors are publicly supporting the case for a mayoral deal, including Stansted Airport, Stockvale, Industrial Chemicals, The Finishing Line, South Essex Colleges Group, SK Architects and the Woodland Group.
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