DEVOLUTION: The Sheffield City Region is driving new jobs and growth

Structurally it is formed of a ‘CombinedAuthority’ (CA) and a ‘Local Enterprise Board’ (LEP) which work closely together to ensure our economic and geographic strengths are maximised.

Our economic base has transformed over the last 20 years from being dominated by more traditional manufacturing to a wider range of knowledge economy sectors. And the city region reflects that in its strategy.

Advanced manufacturing, healthcare technologies, creative and digital industries, and a developing low carbon sector are all important to the region

The nine local authorities – Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, DerbyshireDales, Doncaster, North East Derbyshire, Rotherham and Sheffield – that make up the Sheffield City Region (SCR) have collaborated for a long time.

In 2014 the City Region moved from an informal collaboration to a formal body which can receive funding and be accountable for it to the public. In practical terms, that meant establishing a Combined Authority which embraces both the key economic and transport needs of the city region.

The local authorities are a key part of the SCR, but continue to provide the services they always have.

How does it work today?

The Combined Authority works in partnership with, and is complementary to, the private sector-led Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), providing a stable platform for decision making.

The key difference between CAs and LEPs is that, because CAs are statutory bodies, they can act as accountable bodies for funding and receive new devolved powers.

LEPs are voluntary business-led partnerships working to promote economic growth across a specific area, giving the private sector a strong voice.

LEPs can bid for funding from Government through ‘Growth Deals’ and this region has been extremely successful in doing that.

The Sheffield City Region CA was established on April 1, 2014.

Its agendas,papers and minutes of CA meetings can be found at http://meetings.southyorks.gov.uk/.