30.04.18
North east agrees devolution deal after two-year delay
The north east will be granted new funds and decision-making powers by the government after local councillors finally voiced their unanimous support for plans to create a North of Tyne Combined Authority.
The plans – which were scrapped in September 2016 after some councils voted against the proposal, and was further delayed two weeks ago after a planned vote on the deal was suspended for a second time – would allow locals to vote for their own elected mayor next year.
Six of the seven council leaders planned to be involved in the North of Tyne Combined Authority – even including South of Tyne councils Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham – voted in favour of the move on Thursday.
The devolution deal would see the Newcastle, Northumberland, and North Tyneside areas receive £600m in funding from Whitehall and a metro mayor, a similar framework to authorities in Manchester and Liverpool.
The only leader who abstained from the vote was Gateshead Council chief Martin Gannon, who has been leading calls to scrap the proposals since they were originally broken up in 2016.
Cllr Gannon claimed there was “nothing substantial” in being part of the new deal, adding: “The real major functions and powers which exist in the region in terms of transport and economic development won’t go to the North of Tyne authority.”
But Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes said that it was important to receive funding from central government and have the power to make decisions in the region. He noted it was a “really significant part in getting our region back on its feet.”
With the deal now being approved, the bill will be assessed through Parliament and voted on. If the government approves the deal to create the North of Tyne Combined Authority before summer recess, the new organisation can hold its first meeting in July where an interim mayor will be appointed.
Locals North of the River Tyne will be able to vote on their first directly elected mayor next year.
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