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The Public Sector Executive Podcast is the new podcast bringing you closer to the public sector leaders in the UK. Covering everything from the environment to the economy to transport, our podcast will bring you the latest news, views and insight from the people responsible for shaping the country's future.
So, firstly, the consultation. We need to get that right and we need to let as many people know as we possibly can, do some myth busting, explain what the positives of this will be, and get the local residents on board. So they are talking about it. They know about it. So there's a job to be done, uh, to start with. Because when you say the word combined authority, the word combined to me is just such a misnomer. And I really, really wish it wasn't in • purely and simply because we're not combining. There isn't a combined authority. We are East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City will be whole city council that will stay. There's absolutely no two ways that we are combining into one. We will be our respective councils and we will come together to make major important decisions across both authorities. • So getting that out and letting people know that we're not combining and nobody's going to lose the jobs or anything like that, that's a big thing for us. And then obviously, it has to go into government and it has to go through the necessary stages. So if we can get the consultation right and it's a positive consultation, • • • hopefully we'll get it through the government stages. And then at the other end, we'll, uh, • • get the stamp, the seal, and, uh, it will be all good to go. So, fingers crossed we can get that message out positively about what we can have and what is waiting for us. And actually, if not this, then what? Because we don't want to be left behind.
Local government is changing. Uh, the face is always changing. It's always developing. With all these different initiatives that are going on across the board, no matter what they are, it never stays still. It's important. But I think you're completely right there, from my point of view anyway, when you say that you don't want people to misunderstand things or think that they're going to get lost in the combined authority, and I think just keeping in touch with everybody else and not getting left behind is so important. If this deal goes through and when it's progressed down the line and all the benefits have been reaped and the people in the communities really understand what's going on and hopefully, uh, they're all for it, what does the future really hold for East Yorkshire and that region of the country.
If I'm honest with you, I think the sky's the limit. At one end of east riding, we have got the most inland waterway port, which is ghoul, and at the other end is the Humber estuary, and it's the gateway to Europe. • So that's just for starters. We have got, one of the largest carbon emitters in the country is on the Humber. So we are working with government to look at that, to get us to net zero, which is what the governments want to do and obviously we want to do as well. So there's a huge piece of work going on there. Businesses from all over the world are starting to look at, uh, the Humber to invest. It's already started to happen. I've already been in talks with various companies around the world that they want to come to us because they can see that we are a good place to invest in. So I genuinely think if we get the deal over the line, we get that sorted, we get onto the international stage more than what we are now, as well as the national stage. I genuinely think the world is our oyster and I'm out there to make sure that that happens. That's my job, to make sure that I bang the drum for our area. •
Obviously, everything to do with this deal is crucial. The transport and the funding. But also how important is the aspect of bringing in private sector funding and investment into the area, rather than just simply relying on public sector funding and public money?
Well, the mayor isn't a civic, um, know, doesn't wear a robe • • and a very nice chain. The mayor is an economic mayor and it's his or her job to go out and bring in that investment. That will be the one voice for the entire region of east, uh, Yorkshire. And I have no doubts whoever we get will do that and we will bang the drum. And we are open for business and we are part of UK plc and we want to be a bigger part of UK plc.
That's absolutely brilliant. And I think there's some really strong messages in there and it's very clear that if this is successful, how it really can be, then, like you say, the sky is the limit for East Yorkshire.
I'm, um, sat here in Manchester today, looking at your wonderful city and what it has to offer and the investment that it's had, and that's down to having a metro mayor. It's just amazing. I go to Leeds and it's the same with their metro mayor, and Liverpool is exactly the same. And obviously, Tease Valley is, uh, they've just done what mayor auction's done up there is just incredible. So, yes, um, • • who does not want a piece of that?
Thank you very much for joining me today. I think there's some really good messages in there.
Thank you very much for inviting me. It's been great.
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