ACE Northern Region will next week give members a vital update on Northern Powerhouse infrastructure developments with a keynote presentation from Ed Cox, director for leading think tank IPPR North. “We have invited Ed to really give members a current view on how he sees infrastructure working, being procured and developed, under devolution,” says Marc Davies, chair of ACE Northern Region and Leeds based director of WYG.

To attend the ACE Northern Region briefing and networking event  in Leeds on 24th September contact regional manager Raymond Davies: rdavies@acenet.com or 07710993760

Earlier this month IPPR wrote to Chancellor George Osborne ahead of the Spending Review urging that the Department for Transport fund the ‘One North’ transport investment proposals. First published in July 2014 One North proposes £15bn investment in transport infrastructure including new trans-Pennine rail route,  better city rail services, improved road networks and better freight and logistics terminals.

The One North proposals are considered to be the infrastructure backbone supporting the Northern Powerhouse agenda which aims to rebalance the country’s economy and establish the North as a global powerhouse to complement London. Moving transport plans forward is the newly created, cross regional body Transport for the North which has been charged with the creation of a northern transport strategy to be published in Spring 2016.

Devolution too is a key element of future plans with Greater Manchester taking the lead on electing a metro Mayor who will have funding powers over transport, health and social care, housing and other areas. In Manchester the Mayor will become the 11th member of the existing Greater Manchester Combined Authority. “Other cities can find the mayoral model that works for them. But it has to involve a city-wide elected executive mayor,” said Chancellor George Osborne in May unveiling the legislative tool that would enable this, the City Devolution Bill. “It’s up to local people and their elected representatives on councils to decide whether they are interested in their communities taking part in this new revolution in city government. My door now is open to any other major city who‎ wants to take this bold step into the future,” he said.

Two weeks ago the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council, and the Leeds Local Enterprise Partnership wrote to government with their proposals for a devolution settlement for the Leeds City region. It includes a set of 27 fiscal, transport, housing, business, skills, and public service devolution proposals, which the authorities believe would transform their ability to deliver the strategic economic plan for Leeds City Region.

With so much happening the ACE Northern Region briefing comes at a good time and will also include a presentation by ACE chief executive Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE.  The event will take place on 24th September at Eversheds in Leeds and will be followed by networking opportunities and a drinks reception.