Devolution deal ready to move forward with mayor candidates
The title and role of the mayor under devolution will be new to the region.
Last month saw a huge moment for politics in the North East with Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove signing a deal giving the North East greater political autonomy in a £1.4billion devolution deal.
Described as a “landmark devolution deal” by the Government,thedealwilltransfer new powers to leaders across the North East with skill development, transport and housing expected to be supported.
The deal was signed on Friday, January 27, by Gove, the
North Of Tyne mayor and representatives from seven local authorities.
The North of Tyne mayor position will be removed in favour of a new mayoral position. It is currently helped by the Labour Party’s Jamie Driscoll.
This new deal is part of a Government plan to see 50% of England covered by devolution deals and will not impact the Tees Valley Combined Authority which includes Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Darlington and Redcar and Cleveland further south.
Will the North East get a mayor as part of the devolution deal?
The deal does include the chance for the region to be represented by a democratically elected mayor under
the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) which will include Northumberland,
Newcastle, North Tyneside, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, and County Durham.
It is expected that a mayor for the region will be selected following elections in May 2024.
What will the North East mayor’s responsibilities be?
The Government claims the new mayor can champion the area, help drive investment into the region and can represent local people in conversations with national Government.
Whoisstandingfortherole of North East mayor?
Two candidates have put themselves forward under the new devolution agreement.
The first of these is Jamie Driscoll, mayor of the North Of Tyne Combined Authority, while current Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness has also put her name forward.
Both names will hope to be Labour’s candidate when the election process begins.