Leaders are discussing a devolution deal which could cover both Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire - bringing the area on par with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands in a bid to secure more cash and political powers. However one council leader says there is "scepticism" over such a deal, and the potential for a mayor, and what it would really bring to the table.
The Conservative government set out its Levelling Up white paper earlier this year, which outlined the nine areas it proposed to devolve central powers to.
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire were all awarded a 'County Deal' which would allow the authorities more decision-making control.
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To receive the most powers and cash, however, a directly elected mayor would have to be accompanied by a combined authority, meaning only city and county councils would be involved in decision making.
It has been suggested a mayor could cover an area incorporating Derby, the wider county, as well as Nottingham and its wider county too.
Some concern and scepticism was expressed during an Economic Prosperity meeting at County Hall on March 18.
Deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council and Redhill councillor, Michael Payne, said it is important there is clarity around future governance in order to maintain "strong working relations" across the city and county.
Councillor Payne said it was vital views were heard and options were seen "as swift as possible".
Anthony May, the chief executive of the county council, said leaders would therefore be revisiting a devolution deal across the Local Enterprise Partnership area, with Nottingham and Nottinghamshire working with Derby and Derbyshire, and subsequently all 19 local authorities, in a bid to secure a suitable deal for a population of 2.2 million people.
Such a deal would bring the area into a sizeable realm similar to Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, both of which have mayors. Mr May said leaders of the two cities and two counties have had discussions and added: "There is broad agreement to explore such a thing."
Leaders will now be meeting on Monday, March 21, with parliamentary under-secretary of state for Levelling Up, Neil O'Brien, to bring discussions forward. Mr May emphasised timescales were unknown but "technically possible" to do by Spring 2023. However he added such a timetable "looks and feels a bit ambitious".
"If a broader devolution deal of that nature was to be agreed it would mean lots of local negotiation, particularly local governance and how we can include all councils, how powers will be drawn down and exercised," he said. Councillor David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council who represents the Dales ward, said discussions with Labour councillors had brought up "scepticism".
He questioned whether a devolution deal was "really something we want to go for" and added: "Is it worth all the extra work? At the end of this, unless the goods are on the table, then we should not say yes and we should push hard," he said.
"This is not just about us convincing you about whether we are right for these arrangements and new resources, we want to know this is not devolution-lite and we are going to get the same kind of resources as the West Midlands and the Manchester City region and all the other regions."
He says 51% of the people who work in the city do not live in it and argued the lives of those in the many boroughs, districts and the city are all intertwined. He added: "So we need to find a governance model that works for all of us".
Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams agreed and said it was important words are turned into "tangible actions". Ben Bradley, the leader of the county council and Mansfield's Conservative MP, said the city and county could become a "pathfinder" for other areas of the country - if a suitable deal could be arranged which includes city and county councils as well as the districts and boroughs.
He has previously emphasised there would be no altering of the structure of governance. On March 21 leaders will ask the Government if there is scope to build something new that fits Nottinghamshire, while also asking how much cash such a deal may be able to secure.
