HEYCA's plan to take control of funding and powers to make decisions from Whitehall is up and running - after a series of Board decisions at a key meeting on 28 May.
In 2025-26 alone, some £20.1 million funding for local transport improvements will now be devolved to Hull and East Yorkshire, with plans to take on the £16m+ local training and skills budget for people aged 19 and above also agreed.
Mayor Luke Campbell MBE, who chairs the Board, comprising senior politicians including the Leaders of Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, plus business representatives, said -
“Securing funding to start improving public bus and rail services, and our roads, is just the start of our journey to put real authority in the hands of local people. Improving transport services and connectivity between rural, coastal, towns and city in our area - and going west to other parts of the North - is a key long-term goal. Over the coming months, I’ll be out and about listening to local residents and businesses to better understand their travel needs and priorities so we can develop plans for the future together.”
The HEYCA Board on Wednesday 28 May agreed the Combined Authority would take on some £19.5m capital funding for transport in 2025-26 from central government. This includes the one-off Local Transport Grant, which will enable new improvements to be made such as renewals of existing infrastructure, maintenance, plus new enhancements and upgrades across Hull and East Yorkshire.
Mayor Luke added -
”This is new money, and a much-needed investment in our region, recognising years of previous underfunding in the north. Most importantly, it goes directly to us to decide how to spend it. We are also able to put a small specialist team in place to help shape future transport plans, working with local people. I’ve already met Stagecoach and East Yorkshire Buses and will be meeting up with other community transport operators soon. We want full transparency and accountability to see what they are delivering, including passenger numbers and trends, so we can invest strategically to grow prosperity throughout our area.”
Along with the Integrated Capital Block, the money will be allocated to the two councils for improvements and investments in local roads and other transport infrastructure.
Another major decision taken on Wednesday will secure local control of commissioning local training and skills provision for adults aged 19 and above. The £16.5 million Adult Skills budget for Hull and East Yorkshire will be formally handed over from Whitehall in October 2026. Local businesses, the current workforce and young people can now all have a say in the training and skills that are needed, and then commissioned, from local training providers.
Further details including the full Agenda, papers and recording of the HEYCA Executive Board meeting, which was open to the public and livestreamed are at - Governance and meetings – Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority