Paul Bristow statement: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

“As Mayor, I was elected to get stuff done. However, outside London, mayors have struggled to do things because they have lacked adequate powers, particularly over transport and planning. Far too often, the system has frustrated people and made getting things done a near impossibility.

“This bill changes the balance of power. For example, instead of looking on, I will set the planning framework for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and be able to issue development orders. That’s a big shift, which is matched across other areas of mayoral responsibility.

“Given my ambitions for our region, this rebalancing of power is hugely welcome. I’m delighted that the Deputy Prime Minister believes in devolution and wants me to get Cambridgeshire and Peterborough moving – and that’s exactly what I will do.”