It boosts local economies and creates jobs, while it also provides tangible evidence of improvement in regions.
We continue our series, putting this year’s local elections under the magnifying glass to find changes and trends.
The Government’s actions are also a sign of confidence in the combined authority model.
While I support the principle of these zones, a poorly executed plan will bring up the cost of living.
I’ll get back to work the moment the election result is announced.
Nottingham City Council paid nine staff over £100,000 a year. What did local taxpayers get for their money? A failed council-owned energy company.
The choice facing voters on May 6 is simple: do we accelerate the progress of the last four years, or do we go back to the old failing approach?
It’s not surprising that I do things differently, since I came to the role from a business background, rather than via the world of politics.
This is an ambitious project designed to appeal to the 30 per cent of people here who don’t cycle but say they would like to give it a go.
They are simply outdated and, given the financial challenge we now face, the often-suggested online sales tax looks even more attractive.
Whitehall must understand that if an algorithm offers up cherished green spaces to hungry developers, there will be a local backlash.
As the short-term economy comes under immense strain, we should support the UK’s biggest single long-term investment.
The devolved Adult Education Budget ensures that every pound delivers more qualifications that employers actually want.
A proposed transformation would move away from the reliance on big anchor stores and create 1,300 new homes – all on reclaimed brownfield sites.
Backing traditional industries is very far from the electoral liability that strategists fear.