The leader of Northumberland County Council has warned councillors that there could be more delays when it comes to the North East's long-awaited devolution deal.
It was previously thought that the deal was close to completion - but Coun Glen Sanderson said that the change in a secretary of state in Liz Truss's new administration meant the region would have to wait a little longer.
It comes after the Northumberland Labour leader Coun Scott Dickinson aired similar concerns yesterday, accusing the Government of an “infuriating” lack of detail over what funding and powers are on offer.
Speaking at Wednesday's meeting of full council, Coun Sanderson said: "A wheel has fallen off on devolution because of the change in Prime Minister. Whilst ministers swap over, we're currently on hold in coming to any sort of decision.
"The proposals we have seen are exactly the same as all the other groups have seen. There can be no feeling that anybody knows any more than anybody else.
"We're not going to make a decision today. Hopefully we will know a little more in November (the date of the next meeting). Once the text is available, we will share it.
"There will be a consultation process; that means consulting with all members of the council. I think it is the right thing to be doing.
"I am pleased with the way the councils are working together and this is bringing a fresh way of light, not just for our council but North East England as a whole."
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that talks between council officials and civil servants have been happening behind the scenes for months over a new deal worth more than £3bn over 30 years, that could create more than 17,000 jobs and hand local leaders decision-making power over crucial issues including transport. The plan had been to create a new mayoral combined authority covering Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Gateshead, Sunderland, and South Tyneside – but the LDRS revealed earlier this month that County Durham had been offered the chance to join and given a deadline of mid-October to decide.
Yesterday, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said that negotiations over new devolution deals in England are “rapidly progressing with the aim of announcing more deals in 2022”. A spokesperson added: “We want to see more areas with a high-profile, directly elected leader who will be accountable to local people and able to deliver for their communities.”
Read next
North East leaders back £10m boost to spark wave of new jobs and homes along reopened railway line
£130m push for new jobs and homes as leaders bid to kickstart Northumberland Line regeneration boost
£2.6m crematorium and chapel to open in Northumberland in October
Northumberland museum to bring home rare Anglo-Saxon objects ahead of 2023 opening
Number of Northumberland pharmacies forced to close after becoming financially unviable
