North East devolution deal signed

A devolution deal has been signed in the North East between the Government and the seven leaders of the region's major councils.

As a result of the deal, the incoming North East Mayor and Cabinet will have more control over transport, housing and skills.

The deal also makes available over £100 million of new funding.

The deal is intended to set a clear route for the region to take on the core powers agreed with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

The deal was originally announced in the spring budget.

Seven leaders from the North East, including from Northumberland, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham, met at St Chad’s College in Durham to sign the agreement with Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young.

A previous devolution was signed by the seven local authority leaders in December 2022, and established the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA), where one mayor will champion their region and unlock the benefits of devolution for around two million people living in the area.

This second deal will result in £37m of flexible funding for the remediation of brownfield sites and acceleration of regional projects. NEMCA intends to use £25m of this funding to remediate the prospective Crown Works Studios site, laying the ground for development of the studio facilities, £10m to accelerate plans for a Health Innovation Neighbourhood, combining research and living facilities to promote healthy ageing, in Newcastle, and £2m to support projects such as the North East Green Superport and the inclusive innovation deal, catalysing collaboration across the region.

Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young said: "I’m delighted to sign this landmark deal which will deliver transformational change across the North East.

"This is a significant step forward in our mission to level up, and I want to thank all the leaders who have come to together to make it happen. Devolution is all about handing local communities the keys to their own future, with decisions taken by the people who know their areas best. Today the North East takes back control."

A joint statement from seven council leaders in the North East said: "Today’s event marks another welcome shift in power from central government to the North East. This trailblazer deal will help us deliver on our ambitions, working with our communities on the things that matter most to them.

"As the people who represent our communities, we are better placed to make decisions on local priorities.

"We are strongest when we all work together and we are already seeing the benefit of that collaboration."

Image by Barrie Taylor from Pixabay