The Hull & East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) held its first official meeting today, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s governance. Convening at the Ergo Centre in Hessle, local leaders gathered to begin shaping the policies and priorities that will define this new era of devolution.
With £400 million secured from the government under a devolution agreement, the combined authority now holds significant power over investment, transport, and economic development. The meeting laid the groundwork for how this funding will be deployed, setting the stage for greater local control over key services that have long been dictated from Westminster.
Devolution in Action
The establishment of HEYCA places Hull and the East Riding among a growing number of regions that have secured devolution deals in recent years. The authority is expected to drive improvements in infrastructure, economic growth, and skills training, while ensuring that decision-making reflects the needs of local communities rather than being steered by Whitehall.
Hull City Council leader Cllr Mike Ross and East Riding Council leader Cllr Anne Handley—who co-chaired today’s meeting—have been vocal supporters of the deal, arguing that it represents a turning point for the region. The meeting focused on agreeing the authority’s initial strategic direction, with early priorities expected to include transport connectivity, job creation, and business growth.
“This move has been years in the making, and today’s meeting is a major milestone,” said Cllr Ross. “We now have the ability to take real control over our region’s future. It’s time people start seeing the benefits of devolution.”
Cllr Handley echoed the sentiment, calling the meeting “a historic step” and stressing the importance of local leadership in shaping the area’s economic and social future.
Cllr Handley later posted on her social media account that the meeting had been “history in the making today at Ergo. The first ever combined mayoral authority of Hull and the East Riding meeting took place.It was great to see so many people present and there was even a live stream if you wanted to catch up with what went on.
A Mayor to Set the Agenda
One of the most consequential developments in the coming months will be the election of the region’s first directly elected mayor on May 2, 2024. The mayor will have significant influence over HEYCA’s priorities, with responsibility for policies on transport, skills, housing, and economic development.
Cllr Handley, who is also a mayoral candidate, used today’s meeting to reinforce her vision for the role. “This is about securing investment, opportunity, and proper representation for Hull and the East Riding,” she said. “For too long, we’ve had decisions made for us rather than by us. That changes today.”
The mayoral race is expected to be closely contested, with Cllr Ross also in the running. The outcome will shape the authority’s direction in its crucial first years.
A Defining Moment for Hull & East Yorkshire
The road to devolution has not been without debate. Some critics remain sceptical about whether the new authority will deliver meaningful change, while others question whether £400 million is enough to make a transformative difference. However, today’s meeting signals that local leaders are ready to take ownership of the challenge.
HEYCA’s ability to deliver tangible improvements—whether in transport, skills, or economic regeneration—will be the ultimate test of its success. The authority has inherited high expectations, and the months ahead will be critical in proving that devolution can work for Hull and the East Riding.
As today’s meeting concluded, one thing was clear: the region now has the tools to shape its own future. What happens next will depend on how effectively those tools are used.