At the Full Council meeting on Wednesday 16th November, members of East Cambridgeshire District Council voted to accept plans for devolution.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough devolution deal is acknowledged by Government as one of the most ambitious in the country and for the first time puts power and funding into the hands of local people and not Westminster, with more deals to follow.

Commenting on the decision, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, James Palmer said: “I’m pleased that East Cambridgeshire District Council have decided to approve the devolution deal and start making a real difference to our communities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The devolution of powers from Central Government to a more local Combined Authority has significant advantages for the district.”

Should other councils agree to become a constituent member of a Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, East Cambridgeshire will particularly benefit from transport infrastructure improvements such as the A14/A142 junction, upgrades to the A10 and the A47, and the Ely North Junction. As well as rail improvements, including a new train station at Soham.

East Cambridgeshire District Council is the first council in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to accept the plans for devolution. Decisions by Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Peterborough City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council will follow this week and next week. Earlier this month, the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership Board voted in favour of the current proposals for devolution that will see more money and powers brought to the local area.