<p><span>The levelling up secretary is to sign a devolution deal today (August 1) to create a new combined authority across Yorkshire with a directly elected mayor to invest in housing and other essential services.</span></p> <p><span>The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) said it would transfer power from Whitehall directly to the new mayor in York and North Yorkshire, with a £540million investment issued over a 30-year period. </span></p> <p><span>With this funding, the mayor and local constituent councils will, according to DLUHC, have flexibility to decide how best to spend money on local priorities. More than £22.6 million has been allocated to aid the delivery of new homes on brownfield land – including affordable homes – and to drive “green” economic growth across York and North Yorkshire.</span></p> <p><span>In another feature of the devolution deal, the mayor will have powers to steer the regeneration of the area, including compulsory purchase powers and the ability to set up Mayoral Development Corporations. And, DLUHC said, SME businesses would be supported under the funding. </span></p> <p><span>The new mayor will also be permitted to improve and better integrate local transport and improve local skills through the devolution of adult education functions. They will take …