Members of the public and key stakeholders are asked for their views on spending each year but this year, alongside the statutory budget consultation, the Combined Authority board has approved engagement to determine views on the new draft sustainable growth ambition.
This new statement is designed to underpin the ethos for the strategic framework of the Combined Authority, currently in development. It restates its Devolution Deal commitment to doubling the size of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough economy over the 25 years from the date of the deal and established for the first time six keys to unlock this ambition rooted in the Mayoral values of Compassion, Cooperation and Community.
The six keys are:
Health and Skills: making sure that people in our region are healthy and able to pursue the jobs and lives they want
Climate and Nature: bringing back the nature that's been lost to our region, and focusing on reducing the impact of climate change
Infrastructure: building public transport networks, digital networks, and supporting energy and water systems to support the people living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Innovation: building on our reputation for new thinking, new technology and new ideas in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Reducing Inequalities: we know that there are big gaps in life expectancy and people's income between different parts of our region; we're going to focus on investing in our communities and the people in our region to make that better
Finance and Systems: we'll be focusing on the way we spend our money and how our decisions are taken, to make sure our projects are as cost effective and transparent as they can be.
Each key set out in the new statement has sustainability at its core and will be supported by measurable outcomes whose intent it to provide a more robust and consistent framework allowing for the prioritising of future investments and developing business cases that are consistent with the HM Treasury’s own Green Book principles.
The framework adopted will include ongoing work of the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan whose consultation is due to end on Sunday (28th November) and the Economic Recovery Strategy for the region.
The ongoing development of the statutory framework will be informed by the new sustainability growth ambition and in order to do so, this year it is acknowledged the budget takes more of a light touch approach to enable the Combined Authority to get feedback on its proposals and allow for feedback to feed into its refreshed purpose and agreed priorities.
Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough said “I am particularly proud today knowing that this new sustainable growth ambition statement is being put to the residents and stakeholders of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. There is more to prosperity than money and whilst I am fully committed to doubling the size of the economy in the region I want to do more than that. At the Combined Authority we are committed to leading with compassion, working cooperatively, and serving our community. We want to make sure that everything we do makes life better, healthier and fairer for all. We look forward to hearing the views of the public on how we spend our money and our vision for improving life across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”
The new draft Sustainability Growth Ambition and draft MTFP budget are being consulted on side by side and feedback will be provided to Leaders of the Combined Authority ahead of a proposal of a final version of the Statement to be adopted at the Combined Authority Board ats it meeting at the end of January.
Residents and stakeholders are urged to read the statement and review the budget and provide feedback to help inform the final version by visiting https://bit.ly/budgetmtfp22-23
The consultation period ends Friday 31st December in line with statutory obligations.