Mayor says her first year in the job has been 'busy but successful'

HER FOCUS IS ON IMPROVING THE EAST MIDLANDS AND MAKING YOUNG PEOPLE A PRIORITY

- By POST REPORTER

EAST Midlands Mayor Claire Ward marked 12 months in the job yesterday and said it had been "a busy but successful year".

The Labour politician became the first holder of the new post last year and says she is proud to have brought “more investment into the region to help deliver better jobs, better skills, build new homes, improve transport, support a greener East Midlands, and champion the visitor economy.

The mayor secured more than £120million in extra funding and her leadership, she said, boasts "meaningful, noticeable improvements that are already making a difference in people's lives across the East Midlands"

A statement from the East Midlands Combined County Authority, which Ms Ward leads, said: "From supporting young people to improving public transport, the mayor's campaigns have been focused on ensuring that growth and opportunity are accessible to all.

"Mayor Claire is also putting the East Midlands back on the map with the £160 million East Midlands Investment Zone, which will grow jobs in clean energy, hi-tech industries, and advanced manufacturing with the skills and training in place to make sure local residents are first in line for these future opportunities, and this will be supported by the work of the Inclusive Growth Commission who will prioritise investment and deliver prosperity across the region.