County councillors have backed an "ambition" for Hertfordshire to progress towards a mayoral strategic authority (MSA) "at the earliest opportunity".

Leader of the county council, Cllr Steve Jarvis, formally expressed Hertfordshire's devolution ambition for a mayoral strategic authority in a letter to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed last month (November).

And at a meeting of the county council last week (December 9), that move was backed by councillors.

The county council – alongside Hertfordshire's 10 district and borough councils – has already submitted proposals to replace theexisting two-tier structure in the county with a smaller number of unitary councils.

And a mayoral strategic authority – headed by an elected mayor – could ultimately sit alongside those new councils, taking on county-wide responsibilities that could include fire and rescue services, transport and skills, as well as spatial and infrastructure planning.

At the meeting of the county council on Tuesday (December 9), councillors acknowledged that while Hertfordshire waited for a government decision on devolution through a mayoral strategic authority, the county was unable to benefit from the funding that is available only to existing strategic authorities.

And they agreed that although there is no current timeline for devolution arrangements, the council should continue to develop a plan for devolution.

Presenting the motion to the council, Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Steve Jarvis said that it was devolution that "represents an opportunity for people in Hertfordshire".

And he pointed to investment that had been made available to strategic authorities in the last few weeks – including £900m for infrastructure and business support, £500m for commercially-led regeneration and £500m to accelerate investment.

"Hertfordshire, whilst we don't have a mayoral strategic authority, misses out on all those opportunities to promote growth in our county," said Cllr Jarvis.

"Now that is growth that I believe will improve the lives of people in Hertfordshire. And I think it is important that Hertfordshire is able to participate in that.

"So, our message to the Government, I think, should be clear, 'Hertfordshire is ready to deliver the benefits for our county and indeed for our country that devolution can enable'.

"And we want the Government to commit to a mayoral strategic authority for the county at the earliest opportunity – and be clear about when that is."

The motion proposed by Cllr Jarvis was backed by the meeting of the county council – although there were some concerns expressed.

Leader of the Conservative group, Cllr Richard Roberts, had proposed an unsuccessful amendment suggesting the council express concern about "the lack of clarity associated with both the timeliness involved and promised integrated funding settlement from HM Government to support devolution".

It also referenced "the increased tax our residents may face" under a mayoral strategic authority and how such an authority would be held accountable.

Addressing the council, Cllr Roberts pointed to "hundreds of millions" that he said had been used to support city economies such as Greater Manchester and Birmingham.

And he asked if this was "not available to parts of the country that generate income" why would Hertfordshire leap on board with this particular devolution deal.

"It isn't that I am against devolution," said Cllr Roberts.

"I want the right devolution with the right support for investment in Hertfordshire – so we can grow our economy, because if  we don't grow our economy, we have nothing at all."