Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Area covered by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Type
Type
HousesUnicameral
Term limits
None
History
Founded3 March 2017
Leadership
Structure
Political groups
  Labour (3)
  Liberal Democrats (3)
  Conservatives (2)
  Non-political (1)
Elections
Directly elected mayor since 2017
Last election
6 May 2021
Next election
1 May 2025
Meeting place
Pathfinder House, St Mary’s Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TN
Website
https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is a combined authority covering the ceremonial county of Cambridgeshire in the East of England. The authority was established on 3 March 2017. The authority is led by the directly elected Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

History

Plans for a combined authority covering the entirety of East Anglia, including Norfolk and Suffolk, were announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne on 16 March 2016 as part of the 2016 United Kingdom budget, with the aim of creating an "Eastern Powerhouse" analogous to the government's Northern Powerhouse concept.[1] Norfolk and Suffolk had initially submitted separate devolution bids, but government ministers called for a joint bid including all three counties.[2][3] Initial proposals had been agreed by all county and district councils in the region, with the exception of Cambridge City Council.

The East Anglia devolution deal was subsequently rejected by Cambridgeshire County Council,[4] with Peterborough City Council also opposing the deal.[5] Plans for devolution in the region were split in June 2016, with one deal for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and a separate deal covering Norfolk and Suffolk.[6] The Norfolk and Suffolk devolution deal was later scrapped, after several district councils withdrew.[7][8]

The devolution deal was agreed by the constituent local councils in November 2016,[9] and the first meeting of the shadow combined authority was held in December 2016.[10] The draft statutory instrument required for formal establishment of the combined authority was laid in Parliament on 23 January, made on 2 March 2017, and came into force the following day.[11]

Responsibilities

See also: Combined authority

As part of the devolution deal, the responsibilities of the combined authority will include the following:[12][13][14]

  • A £600 million budget for local economic growth (£20 million over 30 years)
  • A £170 million budget for housing, including affordable and council housing, with £70 million specifically for housing in Cambridge
  • Transport infrastructure improvement and maintenance
  • Provision of skills training and apprenticeships
  • Integration of local health and social care resources
  • Integration of local employment services, and design of a National Work and Health Programme alongside the Department for Work and Pensions

Mayor

See also: Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

The combined authority is chaired by a directly elected mayor. The first election was held on 4 May 2017 for a four-year term of office, with further elections in May 2021 and every fourth year thereafter.[11] The mayor's salary has been reported to be £70,000 a year.[15] The mayor is a member of the Mayoral Council for England and the Council of the Nations and Regions.

Membership

Map of constituent local authorities. The area in pink is covered by Cambridgeshire County Council.

In addition to the elected mayor, the seven constituent local councils, Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, each nominate one member of the combined authority. The Chairman of the Business Board, which functions as the Local Enterprise Partnership for the region, also holds a seat. Substitute members are also nominated in case of absence.[16]

Name Position within nominating authority Nominating authority
Nik Johnson Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Direct election
Dennis Jones Leader of the Council Peterborough City Council
Lucy Nethsingha Leader of the Council Cambridgeshire County Council
Anna Smith Council's appointed representative Cambridge City Council
Anna Bailey Leader of the Council East Cambridgeshire District Council
Chris Boden Leader of the Council Fenland District Council
Sarah Conboy Leader of the Council Huntingdonshire District Council
Bridget Smith Leader of the Council South Cambridgeshire District Council
Al Kingsley Chairman Business Board

Bodies that hold observer status currently include the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority and the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Budget 2016: 'Eastern Powerhouse' counties 'to get elected mayor'". BBC News. 2016-03-16. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  2. ^ Annabelle Dickson (2015-12-09). "Call to bring Cambridgeshire alongside Suffolk and Norfolk in 'devolution revolution'". East Anglian Daily Times. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  3. ^ Dan Grimmer (2016-02-26). "Leader plays down speculation Essex could join Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire devolution deal". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  4. ^ "Osborne's devolution plans hit by dissenting councils". Financial Times. 2016-03-24. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  5. ^ Joel Lamy (2016-04-13). "Devolution between Peterborough and Cambridgeshire to be discussed after widespread city council opposition to East Anglian authority". Peterborough Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  6. ^ "East Anglia devolution: Proposal splits counties". BBC News. 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  7. ^ "Norfolk and Suffolk elected mayor plans scrapped". BBC News. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  8. ^ Dan Grimmer (2016-11-18). "Recriminations start as devolution for Norfolk and Suffolk looks dead after King's Lynn councillors vote against deal". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  9. ^ "Cambridgeshire and Peterborough back £800m devolution deal". BBC News. 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  10. ^ Josh Thomas (2016-12-16). "New combined authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough holds its first meeting". Cambridge News. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  11. ^ a b "The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Order 2017", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2017/251
  12. ^ "Devolution - A deal for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough". Peterborough City Council. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  13. ^ "Devolution for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough". Cambridgeshire County Council. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  14. ^ "Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Devolution Deal Announced". Greater Cambridgeshire Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership. 2016-06-17. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  15. ^ Adrian Curtis (2016-11-22). "Cambridgeshire and Peterborough make devolution history". Cambridge Independent. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  16. ^ "Information pack, 5 June 2024". Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. p. 21. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  17. ^ "PROGRESS UPDATE ON DEVOLUTION" (PDF). Cambridge City Council. Retrieved 2017-01-19.