It's our time

The East Midlands is on the move. Our new Combined County Authority will take on devolved powers from Westminster and make the big decisions that affect and will lift our region, businesses, and residents.

The East Midlands has a rich history and a diverse present. Ambition and culture put us at the heart of the first industrial revolution and it will put us at the centre of the next as we lead the transformation of our region.

Dedicated to speaking up for our region, our goal is to attract new investment and help our communities thrive. We’ll have access to more than £4 billion in funding over the next 30 years.

Our shared ambition for our place and the people we serve has united us over the past few years and will continue to be the driving force behind all we do as we develop and grow.

We are unique – the first combined county authority in the country – and we have brought a fresh approach to the role and purpose of a combined authority. Inclusive growth is at the heart of what we will do – everyone will benefit from our work.

Our devolution journey over the past few years has been marked by strong political leadership and a determination to do what’s right for the region. Here’s what the leaders of our four constituent councils have to say about our shared future:

“The East Midlands Combined County Authority is bringing a £1.14bn devolution deal to our region to improve people’s lives through better housing, improved transport and new job opportunities. Year-on-year the new combined county authority will bring even more funding to our region through a strong, collective voice and a national platform.”

Cllr Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council

“Devolution is bringing more powers and much-needed extra funding to a local level. I look forward to working with the combined county authority and our region’s first-ever Mayor to deliver transformational projects across the city of Derby and the wider region.”

Cllr Baggy Shanker, Leader of Derby City Council

“Having a single body working directly with government will give the region a voice and profile it has never had before and will bring opportunities that will strengthen the East Midlands for future generations.”

Cllr Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council

“The extra funding coming to the area and the devolved powers will make a huge difference to the region, bringing in more investment in skills and jobs and housing. For too long, our region has missed out on vital funding and this will help to level the playing field with other regions. This is all about improving local people’s lives and creating new opportunities for our communities across the East Midlands.”

Cllr David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council

Billions of pounds is coming to the East Midlands thanks to our devolution deal with Government. The deal will see Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham benefit from a £1.14 billion investment fund and £1.5 billion in transport funding. And we have been invited to establish an investment zone, which will attract £160 million of support over ten years, with tax incentives for businesses that will help boost economic growth right across the region.

Our ambitions

Our strategic economic framework, approved at the first meeting of the EMCCA board on 20 March outlines our ambitions to improve the lives of everyone who lives and works in the region.

The framework focuses on the importance of growing the region’s economy for all by targeting investment to speed up economic growth, improving transport links to towns, cities and major employers in the East Midlands and working with partners so people can develop key skills needed across the region.

We will work with local authorities, landowners, developers and housing providers to create affordable, good quality housing, and to retrofit existing homes to make them more environmentally sustainable.

We’re planning to pioneer new forms of clean energy generation, support work to bring green spaces and nature back into communities and improve health life expectancy, especially in the region’s most disadvantaged communities and places.

Find out more about our framework in the PDF summary on this page.