A North East council leader insists that a multi-billion pound devolution deal for the region is “completely different” to a package he helped scupper seven years ago.
Over the next week, councils across the North East are set to take another crucial step towards a vast shake-up of the area’s political landscape – with a £4.2bn devolution deal that will see a regional mayor elected next May. The historic agreement brings together seven authorities across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham, reuniting councils that had split apart following the collapse of a previous deal negotiated with the Government in 2016.
A public consultation on the new proposals, which will bring an array of new powers and funding to the region, recently showed 61% support for the project. Local councils must now agree to send those results to Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove, ready for him to make an order in Parliament that would formalise the new mayoral arrangements.
