Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe elected to lead West Yorkshire Combined Authority

The group, made up of representatives from Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees, Calderdale and York councils, was set up to to handle devolved powers over transport and economic development.

The appointment was made at the latest meeting of the authority, held this morning.

Councillor Hinchcliffe (Lab, Windhill and Wrose) succeeds Councillor Peter Box, from Wakefield Council, who has been appointed chairman of national Key Cities group.

Cllr Hinchcliffe, who has led Bradford Council since May 2016, said she will continue to push hard for a devolution deal.

She said: “West Yorkshire Combined Authority has achieved a huge amount to benefit West Yorkshire and Leeds City Region in its first three years under Peter Box’s leadership," she said.

"I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the organisation through this important next phase of its development.

“The Combined Authority is still relatively young with a big ambition to transform our economy for the benefit of everyone who lives and works here.

"We have already shown, with Cllr Box as Chair, that we can make devolution work in our area through the programmes we have delivered locally, which have consistently outperformed their national equivalents.

“My aim as the incoming Chair is to build on this partnership progress and to realise the full extent of our shared vision for a strong, successful and socially inclusive economy.

“This will require a meaningful devolution deal with Government that would see our region treated the same as the rest of the country.

“We will continue to be pragmatic and flexible with Government, and prepared to work with colleagues across Yorkshire to advance a deal that will bring more investment into our region and ensure decisions are taken in the best interests of the people and communities we serve.

"We aim for a resolution with Government before the end of 2017."

“Alongside this, we will continue to focus on delivering our £1bn-plus programme of major transport, regeneration, skills and business growth investment that will create jobs and economic opportunity for local people.

“We will also provide a strong, collective voice for the City Region nationally and internationally. We are an ambitious region full of dynamic people and businesses. We need to shout about that more.”