Sheffield Lib Dems call for devolution debate

Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley have already ratified the agreement which will see the creation of an elected mayor for South Yorkshire and the promise of £30 million a year in extra Government funding.

All four South Yorkshire councils agreed the deal in draft form with Chancellor George Osborne last year but Sheffield City Council leader Julie Dore later raised objections.

Sources have told The Yorkshire Post that Sheffield Council will schedule a council meeting this month so the deal can be agreed but so far no date has been named.

Coun Colin Ross, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Sheffield City Council, said: “Julie Dore owes it to the people of the whole of the Sheffield City Region to come clean and open up the debate by setting a date for Sheffield council to discuss our region’s future.

“Without Sheffield, the city at the heart of the Sheffield City Region, signed up, the whole thing falls apart.

“We’re beginning to run out of time and keeping discussions behind closed doors is not helping.

“Sheffield needs to set a date and stop leading the other South Yorkshire council’s down the garden path.”

Coun Dore had raised concerns about the role of neighbouring authorities in the devolution deal but a change in legislation now makes it easier for them to join, a path agreed by Chesterfield Council last week.

She had also called for the mayor’s proposed powers to be reviewed but Government officials have told South Yorkshire council leaders they will be able to agree those details once the deal is agreed.

If the deal is ratified. voters in South Yorkshire will elect the area’s new ‘metro mayor’ in May 2017.