The Levelling Up Secretary has announced a landmark devolution deal for the North East that will see a new elected mayor given fresh money and powers to level up region.
The expanded settlement of £1.4 billion, covering the seven local authorities across Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear and home to around two million people will have the power to make decisions on things like transport, housing, skills, finance and economic development. A public consultation will take place early this year on the new arrangements, and a mayoral election is likely in May 2024 when the new authority is formed.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said, "I'm proud to have agreed a historic new devolution deal with the North East that gives local leaders more power, more money and an even greater say on how their areas are run. Devolution is all about letting leaders who live and breathe the region decide what is in their best interests, for their people and for their businesses."
Whilst it remains to be seen how the VCSE sector will be involved at this geography there are good foundations to build on, from our own regional work, for example with the LEP, the relationships our regional LIOs have and the learning we have from the emergence of the NENC ICS. The basic principle of devolution to localise decision-making is very much welcomed and we look forward to the work ahead, ensuring that the important role that our sector plays is highlighted and recognised and that we have a voice in the process and beyond.
You can read the full Devolution press release from th government here.