It surfaced that a government deal with the North East Combined Authority was set to be signed earlier this week after they had fruitful talks, including agreeing on the election of a metro-mayor in 2017.
Advertisement
The agreements also include a directly elected mayor being chosen for both areas who will take on a raft of new powers as part of plans to take decision making out of Whitehall.
“Those living, working and doing business here in our region represent our greatest asset – and through this agreement we will invest in the people of the North East and support business to grow and thrive”.
“We will also invest in and work with the business sector to ensure we understand and meet business needs”.
For jobs and businesses, it means control of a new £15m pot of money per year to fund projects that will unlock growth across the region creating new jobs, as well as new tailored agreement with our trade and investment department to help local Tees Valley business sell overseas.
In addition, a new North East Land Board will develop a target for housebuilding, while an Employment and Skills Board will be created for the region to take over funding of post-16 skills training and employment schemes.
During debate on the legislation for devolving powers, Blyth Valley’s Labour MP Ronnie Campbell told ministers: ” In the north-east of England it seems as though you are imposing a mayor on the leaders and the feeling in the North East is that they don’t want the Geordie Boris”. This will look at the potential for further integration of health services – including acute and primary care, community services, mental health services, social care and public health – in order to strengthen services, improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities.
“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with those taking it forward on issues like economic development, skills and public service reform to help deliver this deal which will help transform the region’s economy”. Transport spending in the region will also be devolved, including responsibility for infrastructure improvements and the development of smart ticketing across public transport networks.
Today, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and Northern Powerhouse Minister, Stockton South MP James Wharton, exclusively outline to Gazette readers their hopes for the devolution deal.
“Once again, the Northern Powerhouse is leading the way in our ambition to take power out of London and give it to the people who know their areas best”, he added.
Mr Wharton said: “Our long-term economic plan seeks to rebalance growth and build a Northern Powerhouse”.
By working closely with the government, civic leaders have secured a breakthrough deal granting Tees Valley a directly elected mayor for the first time with far reaching powers from planning to transport to employment support transferred from London.
Both deals, which require the support of each of the local councils, are created to enable the areas to compete in worldwide markets.
A directly elected Tees Valley mayor would work alongside the leaders of the five local authorities in the combined authority.
And on behalf of all NHS CCGs in the region, the North East and Cumbria CCG Forum welcomed the opportunity to improve patient care through tighter integration, deeper collaboration and devolved powers across the combined authority area.
Advertisement
Responding to the devolution announcements, Local Government Association chair Lord Porter said that it was pleasing to see further progress on devolution deals.
