East Midlands Combined County Authority

The East Midlands Combined County Authority was established as a legal entity in February 2024, bringing together four upper-tier local authorities: Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire County Councils, and Derby and Nottingham City Councils. It was the first combined county authority of its kind - a new legal entity made possible by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 - and is led by Claire Ward, elected as the region's first Mayor in May 2024.  

The devolution deal brings a £1.14bn investment package spread over 30 years, alongside devolved powers over transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development and net zero. The region has strengths and assets in energy systems, life sciences, aerospace engineering and hosts three world-class universities which underpin the region’s growth potential.  

Yet the region also faces challenges: a history of underinvestment, low skills and low pay, elevated rates of health-related worker inactivity, and areas of multiple deprivation. The East Midlands' polycentric economic geography - two relatively small cities, a dispersed set of towns with mixed industrial heritage, and large rural areas - adds further complexity to the task of delivering growth that reaches everyone.  

EMCCA is setting out a long-term vision to drive sustainable and inclusive growth, with ambitions that every young person has a fair start, opportunity is widened regardless of postcode, and a thriving green economy improves health and wellbeing for all.