The Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell, has hit back at suggestions that his new £1 million scheme “doesn’t exist.” Last week, the Reform UK Mayor announced what he called some “exciting news” as he unveiled a new Community Fund for the region.
Mr Campbell, who was elected as the region’s first Mayor and head the newly established Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) in May, took to X to announce the scheme which gives residents the chance to submit ideas for how the money should be spent. The Mayor added: “I’ve always said during my campaign that decisions are made for the people of this region but never with them. Let’s change it together.”
Following the announcement of the fund, Liberal Democrat councillor Tom Astell, who represents Beverley’s Minster and Woodmansey ward on East Riding Council, posted on X, saying “something very concerning is happening in Hull & East Yorkshire.” Cllr Astell claimed that Mr Campbell’s Community Fund “doesn’t exist,” adding “it’s not even clear if the Combined Authority actually has the ability or monies available for such a fund.”
Cllr Astell also claimed that the Mayor may not have the authority to announce the fund as, he says: “The Constitution is clear: any spending over £250,000 is a Key Decision. It must be formally approved. That hasn’t happened.”
However, on page 43 of HEYCA’s constitution, the figure stated in the definition of a ‘Key Decision’ is £1 million, suggesting the Mayor does have the authority to establish the fund without prior approval. The councillor backed up his concerns with a letter of complaint that was submitted to HEYCA.
The letter states: “Under Article 13.15 of the Constitution, a Key Decision includes ‘decisions involving expenditure or savings of £250,000 or more.’ A £1m community fund clearly qualifies.”
It adds: “Part 2, Section C makes clear that such financial decisions fall within the responsibility of the Executive Board. To my knowledge, no such proposal has been considered or approved by the Executive Board, nor has any decision record been published.”
The Combined Authority said in response that the part of the constitution that Cllr Astell refers to does not exist. In a statement, it said its constitution “does not have an Article 13.15 or a Part 2 Section C,” and that “HEYCA’s Key Decision threshold is £1,000,000, not £250,000”.
In response to Cllr Astell, Mr Campbell said: “The complaint sent by Liberal Democrat Councillor Tom Astell is entirely misinformed. As Mayor, I have the authority to launch the £1m Community Fund, Cllr Astell clearly has not read the Combined Authority constitution.
“The website LukeAsksYou.com in which the people of Hull and East Yorkshire can submit projects for funding is entirely owned and operated by HEYCA. This vexatious complaint has not been upheld, as per the Combined Authority’s monitoring officer. All rules have been followed at all times. I suggest that in the future Cllr Astell is properly briefed on matters before he complains.”
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
