Yorkshire devolution deal: Mike Danby, CEO of Advanced Supply Chain Group

As devolution has once again become the current hot topic in Yorkshire, Bdaily is now going to put a spotlight on the progress of the proposed ‘One Yorkshire’ devolution deal.

Ever since the agreed £900m devolution deal for the Sheffield City Region (SCR) was postponed, there has been a question mark as to when, or if ever, a deal will be struck to see our region’s local authorities gain powers devolved from the government.

Throughout this last several months, Bdaily has set out to give the business people of Yorkshire the opportunity to voice their opinions on the prospect of a ‘Yorkshire One’ devolution deal.

This week I spoke with Mike Danby, CEO of the Bradford-based supply chain and logistics business Advanced Supply Chain.

Hi Mike, do you believe that devolving powers from the Government to regions across the UK is a good idea?

Absolutely - more regional control will inevitably lead to better decisions being made. Better decisions for the people of Yorkshire, businesses and our communities.

The longer Yorkshire remains mired by infighting, opportunities and funding are slipping away – the £1.7bn Transforming Cities Fund announced in the Budget is a case in point. With half of the fund to be shared by the cities with metro mayors, Yorkshire will be left to bid for the remaining investment with the rest of the country.

Could you give a brief explanation as to why you support or don’t support a Yorkshire-wide devolution deal?

We need a big hitter who can speak for the whole region.

It would hugely improve our attractiveness to foreign investors. Big investors want to talk to someone who can speak for all the region, and who can channel funds and resources to make the wins – particularly someone with a known public profile, such as an ex-government minister or an MP. Andy Burnham in Manchester is a case in point.

Sheffield City Region previously agreed to a £900m devolution deal before it was postponed. Do you think having devolution deals for different parts of the region is beneficial or detrimental towards Yorkshire’s economy?

At the moment, we’re severely held back by certain councils with a short-sighted, parochial approach and the economy of the region is suffering because of it.

What issues do you think will greatly benefit from a devolution deal?

Funding is important – having the freedom to spend on the things that the region’s communities and businesses need most. The HM Treasury spend per head in in Yorkshire is currently £8,791 per year – significantly lower than the £9,387 in the North West and £9,472 in the North East.

This is despite the significant size of the population in Yorkshire and the strength of our economy.

These other regions have elected mayors in place and are benefiting from the capability to spend funding where it is needed and take the opportunity to lobby for more – which, with devolution in place, comes from a much stronger position.

Do you see the devolving of powers help you/your business? If so, how?

It’s all about the bigger picture – failure to reach a consensus on devolution is holding the region back in terms of boosting its economy and driving the Northern Powerhouse agenda forward. At the moment, Yorkshire is a huge piece of the Powerhouse ‘puzzle’ that is effectively missing.

Like so many other businesses in Yorkshire, Advanced Supply Chain Group has a lot to gain from a strong, successful Northern Powerhouse – not least in terms of infrastructure improvements, from road, air and rail through to digital connectivity. You only have to look at the example set in other parts of the world to see it’s areas where this has been the focus which are now prospering.

Many believe that a Yorkshire devolution deal would be a major step towards realising a Northern Powerhouse. Do you agree?

Absolutely – agreeing a devolution deal for Yorkshire is key if the Northern Powerhouse is to ever extend beyond rhetoric.

We need to create a unified north with strong leadership, maintaining momentum through shared purpose – with Yorkshire playing a key role instead of kicking its heels on the side-lines.

What would mark a successful devolution deal for you?

Strong leadership – someone to promote the region’s assets and everything it has to offer.

Yorkshire has such a lot to be proud of. And we need to back up the talk. We have a fantastic region, with enormous potential and much to be gained from strong leadership with devolved powers, along with a determined Northern Powerhouse strategy.

It’s up to us to grasp the opportunity and make it happen.

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