All seven councils joining forces for a £4.2bn devolution deal for the North East have now endorsed the historic pact.
Local authority cabinets across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham have all given their backing this week to the huge agreement, which will see a regional mayor elected in 2024. The long-awaited deal would give major funding and decision-making powers to local leaders, including the ability to bring bus services under public control.
The North East public is now set to be given a say on what would be a massive shake-up of the region’s politics, with an eight-week consultation due to be launched next week. However, there will be no public referendum on whether or not to accept the devolution deal – unlike the 2004 poll that saw plans for a regional assembly overwhelmingly rejected.
