[4] The scope of the devolution deal has involved the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, as well as their cities.

[5] The leaders of seven Leicestershire councils wrote in 2020 to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, who gave support.

[8] A proposal was made by Government and signed by the four councils on 30 August 2022, to form the first Mayoral Combined County Authority.

The Centre for Cities said that even combining Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire was "a mistake" as "they are two different counties with distinct local economic needs".

The first meeting of the combined authority took place on 20 March 2023 at Chesterfield Town Hall and was chaired by Barry Lewis, the Leader of Derbyshire County Council.