Historic first meeting for new authority

The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority will be led by an elected mayor

The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority is due to hold its first meeting on Wednesday.

The authority has been created after Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council agreed a devolution deal with the government.

It will be led by an elected mayor, oversee a £400m investment fund, and take on powers from the government for transport.

The meeting starts at 09:30 GMT at the Ergo Centre, Bridgehead Business Park, Hessle. It will be open to attend and streamed online.

Voters will go to the polls to elect the mayor on 1 May and elections will then take place every four years.

Six candidates have so far put themselves forward to become the first elected mayor.

Under the devolution deal, Hull and East Yorkshire will be given an additional £13m a year from the government.

It will become the Local Transport Authority for the area, allowing it to develop a single strategic transport plan for the north bank of the Humber.

The inaugural meeting will be attended by board members as well as key officers from Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The agenda includes adopting the constitution, appointing officers and scheduling future meetings.

Both Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council will continue their work as normal, independent of the combined authority.

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