A council leader has said she believes a region-wide devolution deal will bring in more money for Durham than going it alone as a county. Councillor Amanda Hopgood, leader of the joint administration at Durham County Council, spoke of the decision “in principle” to join a wider devolution deal with six other areas in the North East.
She said the council had followed the proper process and would consult on the deal, with the Labour opposition arguing the matter needed to be debated further. She also denied there had been a “secret deal” or change of mind, and said suggestions of losing £147m for transport from the decision were simply false.
She told a full council meeting on Wednesday (October 20): “As I’m sure you’ll all be aware, we are currently in discussions with the LA6 authorities and the Government regarding a potential devolution deal. The Secretary of State asked us to advise him by Friday, October 14 of whether we wish to join the LA6 devolution arrangements.
