Labour councillors have said they fear Durham County Council will end up "feeding on scraps" by joining a devolution deal.
In October the local authority's coalition confirmed it wanted to be part of a multi-billion pound devolution deal to establish a new North East mayor.
If approved, the deal would see a new mayor elected in May 2024 to govern a huge combined authority stretching across seven council areas through Northumberland, Tyneside, Wearside, and County Durham.
