Prime Minister Andy Burnham must back a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, say a 30-strong group of MPs, local councils, education providers and businesses.
In a joint letter being penned to the Prime Minister today, organisations including Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council are calling on the Government to recognise the area as a priority for the next phase of devolution.
The letter argues that Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is an established economic area, with a population of around 1.2 million and approximately 84 per cent of residents working within the local economy.
And supporters say a Mayoral Strategic Authority would give the region greater powers, long-term funding and a stronger voice in national decision-making, helping to drive economic growth, improve transport links, attract investment and better align skills provision with employers’ needs.
Stuart Elford, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent must not miss out on the opportunities that devolution can bring. Businesses need certainty, a strong voice and access to the same funding and investment opportunities as companies in areas that have already embraced devolution.
“A Mayoral Strategic Authority offers the clearest route to securing the powers and long-term funding our region needs to compete, grow and attract investment. With strong support from across local government, business and education, we have a compelling case for the Government to recognise Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as a priority for the next phase of devolution.
“We are ready to work constructively with Government to make this happen, ensuring businesses have a voice in shaping the decisions that will affect their future and the wider prosperity of our region.”
Other local business and employer signatories include JCB, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Capula, Leek Building Society, the Federation of Small Businesses, Michelin Tyre plc, amb Insurance, Indurent, Woolcool, the Insurance Institute of Stoke-on-Trent, tmt first and Bericote.
The education sector is represented by Keele University, the University of Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent College and South Staffordshire College. Other signatories include Port Vale Football Club and Support Staffordshire.
The letter is also backed by MPs Gareth Snell, Jacob Collier, Sarah Edwards, Allison Gardner, Leigh Ingham, Adam Jogee, Josh Newbury, Dave Robertson and David Williams.
The letter also highlights the existing public service boundaries and partnership arrangements across the area, arguing that Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent provides the right geographical footprint to bring together strategic transport, employment, skills, business growth and infrastructure planning.
The signatories say they are ready to work constructively with the Government to secure a devolved settlement that creates greater opportunities for residents, communities and businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
