A combined Humber authority? 'The idea is annoying and disconcerting'

East Riding Council leader Stephen Parnaby says moves to resurrect the idea of a combined authority are "annoying and disconcerting".

The option of creating a combined authority running certain services such as planning and economic regeneration has been mooted by Hull City Council.

It is currently being examined along with a number of other options by a Hull-commissioned independent inquiry into possible changes in local government structures across the region.

But in a letter to consultants who are supporting the inquiry, Cllr Parnaby says the idea has already been rejected by the three other councils around the Humber.

In the letter to Inlogov director Catherine Staite, he also declines an invitation to be interviewed as part of the commission's review.

Instead, he says public opinion reflected by his own council's referendum on the boundary issue should be regarded as "the obvious starting point" for any discussions between the two councils.

Cllr Parnaby said: "For your information, the issue of combined authorities has already been discussed and at this stage has been rejected by three of the councils affected.

"All councils by agreement have signed up to the establishment of a Humber Leadership Board, which includes representatives from all the local authorities and the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership.

"This has been agreed by Government in the establishment of a Hull and Humber City Deal.

"It is therefore both annoying and disconcerting to me, and I am sure to my colleagues from the South Bank, that Hull City Council have decided to go it alone without any references or discussions with the relevant authorities or indeed the Local Enterprise Partnership."

In the letter, which he has made public, Cllr Parnaby confirms he is not prepared to be interviewed by the commission because of his continuing concerns over "interference" in its work by the city council.

He said: "I hope you and all members of the commission remain satisfied you are all acting independently without interference.

"I have to remain unconvinced but what I can assure you of is that East Riding Council will act transparently and in the best interest of our residents.

"With the above comments, it will come as no surprise that I decline your invitation to be interviewed.

"We have asked residents closely affected and we shall honour their verdict.

"Similarly, being a progressive council, we shall move on whatever the verdict."

The East Riding leader has previously described Hull's actions as being tantamount to a hostile land-grab.

But in his letter to Mrs Staite, he makes a point of not making any criticism of her or the commission.

He said: "Please be assured that my remarks are not directed at you personally or any member of the commission.

"I consider it unfortunate that respectable people have been drawn in to something that should have been sorted out between the local councils concerned with the involvement of our communities."

Voting in the East Riding referendum on boundary changes ended yesterday.

About 70,000 people living in 12 parishes close to Hull were eligible to vote. The result will be announced on Monday afternoon.

Cllr Parnaby said: "On Monday, we will know the answer to our residents' views. We in the East Riding will support their views and, given a respectable turn out, will be confident in giving our residents a say in something affecting their lives, their futures and the future of communities."

THE concept of combined authorities has become a reality in most parts of the North of England.

Most take their names from major cities such as Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, but also include neighbouring councils, too.

Most have emerged as a result of the Government's localism agenda and, in particular, the review carried out by Tory peer Lord Heseltine into how more power and funding could be devolved from Whitehall to the regions.

In response to the Heseltine review, the Government said it would support collaboration between councils through the creation of combined authorities to jointly work on issues such as economic development and transport.

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