Mansfield District Council's new boss says a draft of a devolution deal for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire is "close", and wants to see Mansfield benefit from the extra funding. Devolution is the name given to the process of transferring powers and funding from national to local government.
For example, if devolved powers were granted, decisions such as spending money on improving roads, employment and education could be made locally, along with more money coming into the area. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire authorities have been working together towards obtaining these powers, and if it's agreed, a new East Midlands Mayoral Combined Authority would be created, which would be led by an elected Mayor, similar to that seen in Manchester and the West Midlands.
Adam Hill, the new CEO of Mansfield District Council, has said that a draft of the deal to be submitted to government is "close". He said Mansfield will be prepared to "punch above its weight" to get its slice of what could be additional funding for the area.
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Mr Hill said: "With D2N2 and the devolution deal, that's what we need to be a part of - although we're only a small fish in that big pond, we need to punch above our weight and we can do that. The deal is in the final stages of the initial agreement, it's close.
"That has to go through government, ratification and so on, but it's almost there - it's a case of dotting the is and crossing the ts. That means in Mansfield, we'd get a bigger slice of the cake coming in, and we'd have a seat around the table that will attract more to the benefit of our residents.
"It's a levelling up and a partnership, and it's about how we can attract big infrastructure and funding coming to the area. In turn, it would give us a Mayor, like in Manchester, which gives executive powers, meaning when we're trying to negotiate deals on transport links, or trying to look at big regeneration projects, we've got someone that can talk internationally with bodies, with other Mayors to bring that funding here.
"For Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, it would bring a sum of money we've never seen before that would help join us up. This would stretch across boundaries, meaning we can work together. It would attract more money, more business, better working and less duplication."
In terms of infrastructure, Stockwell Gate is an example of infrastructure that is already under way, with a Taco Bell, Tim Hortons and Dominos already open there with more restaurants and a 100-bed hotel to come, and Mr Hill teased that more is in the pipeline. He remained tight-lipped when asked about what specific infrastructure that is on the way, but says to watch this space.
Mr Hill said: "Hotels and business infrastructure work is happening, but there's not a lot I can say about that at the moment - we're looking at how we can do that and it's gathering momentum. It's fair to say that Mansfield is growing.
"Mansfield has big aspirations for the future, and it comes back to what we're doing with that wider business community to drive things forward. People can keep watching and I'm sure they'll be seeing cranes and all kinds of infrastructure going up that will only add to the value of Mansfield.
"Our residents are at the heart of what we do, and any development, like the Taco Bell and so on, comes from where people are asking for different things. The community is changing, we've got more gyms for example because people want that fitness and health and wellbeing lifestyle."
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