At 10am tomorrow, Mayor Luke Campbell will take his seat at the head of the table at the Ergo Centre in Hessle, joined by council leaders and senior officers from Hull and the East Riding. The agenda in front of him is more than just procedure — it represents the first step in delivering the promises of devolution. Investment, skills, transport, and energy are all up for discussion as the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority meets for the first time under his leadership.
This inaugural meeting of the Executive Board marks a major moment for the region. The Combined Authority now has direct control over key funding streams and responsibilities once managed by central government. It is a chance to make decisions locally — with the potential to shape the future of Hull, Beverley, Bridlington and every place in between.
Campbell, fresh from his election victory earlier this month, moves from the campaign trail into the machinery of governance. While his Olympic background brought national attention, tomorrow will be his first test in a very different kind of arena — working with others to make long-term decisions for the good of the region.
The agenda includes a number of critical items. The board will consider how to deploy an initial £20 million in transport funding, which is to be split between Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council. There is broad political agreement that improving public transport is a top priority, particularly in rural areas and in links between towns.
Control of the £16 million annual Adult Skills Fund is also being transferred to the region. This funding will allow local authorities to shape adult education and vocational training around the real needs of employers and workers in Hull and the East Riding — a clear example of how devolution could bring more responsive policy-making.
One of the most significant early responsibilities will be agreeing how the Combined Authority will manage the £400 million investment fund secured as part of the devolution deal. This money, to be spent over three decades, could support housing development, town centre regeneration, business growth, and wider infrastructure. Getting the principles and priorities right from the outset will be key to ensuring the fund delivers real, long-term value for communities.
There will also be early discussion around the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Mayoral Renewables Fund, which could support energy transition projects and green growth in the region. Hull and East Yorkshire have long been seen as well placed to lead in offshore wind and renewables — now there’s a governance structure in place to make that ambition more achievable.
Those around the table include the political leaders of Hull and the East Riding: Councillor Mike Ross and Councillor Jackie Dad for Hull; Councillor Anne Handley and Councillor David Tucker for East Riding. Senior officers from both councils will be on hand to advise and support the decision-making process.
Also attending as non-voting members are Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison, Jason Speedy (Chair of the HEY Business Board), and Jayne Adamson (Chair of the HEY Skills Board). Their presence signals that economic development, skills, and public safety will remain key threads of the Combined Authority’s wider work.
But perhaps the most important development is that this meeting is open to the public. Residents are not only welcome to attend in person, but the session will be streamed online. A 30-minute public question slot is built into the meeting — a strong first signal that the new mayor and authority intend to operate with transparency and public involvement.
For residents in Beverley and across East Yorkshire, this is the point where devolution becomes more than a headline. It’s a shift in how decisions are made, how money is spent, and how priorities are set. The days of waiting on central government to deliver for the region are — at least in part — behind us.
For Campbell, this is a chance to show that leadership isn’t just about profile, but about delivery. He will need to bring together different political voices, manage complex funding streams, and prove that local decisions can lead to better outcomes.
Get involved
The meeting begins at 10am on Tuesday 28 May at the Ergo Centre, Bridgehead Business Park, Hessle. The public can attend in person or watch the live stream. For more information on the Combined Authority, its role, and how to submit a public question, visit the official mayoral website: www.hullandeastyorkshire.gov.uk.