Newcastle’s Labour leader has “huge confidence” that the North East’s council chiefs will mend old wounds and agree a massive devolution deal that would see a new mayor elected for the region.
Levelling Up papers published by the Government on Wednesday include a commitment to press ahead with an expanded devolution settlement for the North East, which would cover more areas and put significantly more power and money into the hands of local officials.
A new deal being struck could mean a new mayor is elected to serve the people of Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Gateshead, Sunderland, and South Tyneside in 2024 – while County Durham is set to go it alone with a single county deal.
