Two weeks to mayoral election

The first ever election for a mayor for the East Midlands will take place in less than two weeks' time on Thursday 2 May 2024, and people in Derbyshire are being encouraged to vote and have their voice heard.

Derbyshire, Derby, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham have opened the door to a massive investment in transport, skills, housing and the environment after securing a deal for a new combined authority – the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

EMCCA has been formed by Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council, and will be led by a mayor, similar to areas like the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire.

The mayor will have new powers and resources to begin a long-term process of growing the region's economy by investing in skills that lead to better jobs, transport that works better across the region, housing where it's needed, and an economy equipped to deal with net zero.

Its small team will have specific responsibilities – housing, skills, transport and the environment – and the transfer of powers means it will be doing work previously carried out by government. It will collaborate with councils and will not duplicate what they do or provide services that are best delivered locally.

Make sure that you're:

• registered to vote
• know what ID you have to take with you.

You can also apply for free voter ID. The deadline is Wednesday 24 April.