A TEN-strong team of influential figures from across the region will head an inquiry reviewing Hull's administrative boundaries.
The inquiry has been commissioned by Hull City Council to examine whether the current local authority boundaries covering the city and the East Riding need redrawing.
The commission will be chaired by Tom Martin, president of Hull-based safety wear manufacturer Arco. He pledged the commission, which is independent of the city council, would take an "open-minded" approach.
He said: "This is a serious attempt to consider the effect of Hull's existing boundary on the economy and job creation and, if this is detrimental, to look at how a change of boundary could be for the benefit of the whole area.
"To do this, we will draw on the expertise of the members of the commission and examine all of the evidence available both nationally and locally. We are totally open-minded and will listen to and consider all of the facts, figures and evidence put forward."
The inquiry, which is expected to deliver its findings before the end of the year, will consider new evidence and research that takes into account the changes Hull has seen over recent years.
That will include recent Government funding policies geared towards the development of city-regions.
Darryl Stephenson, Hull City Council's chief executive, said: "Now is an opportune time to conduct an inquiry, as the city's regeneration makes great strides forward, and as the local government and regional government scene has changed with City Deals, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Single Local Growth Fund and combined authorities.
"The existing set up potentially leaves the city at a disadvantage which in turn will affect the sub-region and prospects for jobs.
"The inquiry will help us understand how we can best serve residents and continue to grow the economy and create jobs in both Hull and the East Riding."
As the Mail revealed last week, the inquiry's focus will initially be on whether the current boundaries are a restraint on the potential for economic growth.
If it is felt they are, the inquiry will examine four options:
• Combining Hull and East Riding councils into one authority.
• Keeping the two councils but combining certain functions, such as planning, economic regeneration and planning.
• Extending Hull's boundaries into immediate towns and villages.
• A wider extension of Hull's boundaries to cover places such as Beverley and Brough.
Big names on panelThe commission appointed by Hull City Council to examine whether or not the region's local government map should be redrawn contains a mix of youth and experience.
Chairman Tom Martin, who is the respected life president of Hull safety wear manufacturer Arco, will be joined by familiar figures such as Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dr Ian Kelly, Goodwin Trust chief executive Peter McGurn, NHS Hull Clinical Commissioning Group chief executive Emma Latimer and Ian Mills, the founder and director of Hull-based consultation company SMSR.
The University of Hull is also well represented through politics professor Lord Norton of Louth, human geography professor David Gibbs, management systems professor Mike Jackson and Richard Brookes, the students' union president.
The final member of the line-up is former city council leader Patrick Doyle.
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