Councillor Sanderson informed
members that the Leaders of Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North
Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland Councils had agreed in
principle to a devolution deal which the Government had
‘minded’ to approve.
Public consultation was taking
place at all Local Area Councils and an event at Alnwick had been
well attended.
The consultation was on the
Council’s website, with a list of venues of paper copies of
the consultation.
Janice Rose, Interim Director
of Planning and Economy shared a presentation of which the key
points were:
- The ‘minded
to’ deal would set out a new framework
- The new combined
authority would be headed up by a Metro mayor, who was expected to
be elected in 2024
- The deal would
provide significantly more power and money to the region than at
present
- Transport –
previously not a lot of funding had been devolved to the north
east
- Investment – a
significant fund supported by an investment plan
- Skills, education and
inclusion – funding towards expanding adult education, with
focus on employability and inclusion
- Housing, land and
digital infrastructure - devolved housing powers and expansion of
brownfield funding, as well as additional regeneration to improve
communities.
- Clean energy and net
zero – measures to unlock potential and increased investment
in our major industries, businesses and infrastructure to support
clean energy and net zero transition – including a unique
‘Green Superport’ model.
- Rural economy and
sustainability– clear focus on rural growth and stewardship,
including a specific rural investment plan and focus on food
security, biodiversity and nature gain. The only areas not
included were Cramlington and Blyth. A specific rural board
would be set up which Northumberland would chair.
- Culture, tourism and
place – opportunity to collectively utilise and enhance the
region’s greatest assets and partnerships.
- Health and public
service reform – tackling inequalities by including measures
to drive innovation in prevention, healthy housing, and social care
collaboration
The seven local authorities had
carried out a review to explore whether a new combined?authority
for the region would be beneficial to the?North East, which
concluded that the new combined authority would benefit economic
growth and delivery of public services, devolved funding and also
unlock new funding and powers.
???
?In response to members
questions, the following information was provided:
- The deal would give
the power for transport to work collaboratively, with better
connectivity and integrated ticketing
- Mini park and ride
schemes would be explored to help extend the reach of bus
services
- Governance was in
place that would work, the Mayor would understand all the needs and
aspirations. There had been no appetite to have a referendum
in the area.
- There was a
constitution that all 7 councils and the Mayor had to agree to a
list of key decisions
- A consultation
dashboard was being produced on a regular basis and Sarah McMillan
would be able to share the information on her return from
leave.
- The suggestion of
signposting the consultation to young people through the
school’s network and engaging with the Youth Parliament would
be looked into, if not already in hand
- The Joint Transport
Committee would be subsumed into the Combined
Authority.
- The decision making
process would be strong.
RESOLVED
that the information be noted.