We decode the 20 pages of technical detail
THE North of Tyne devolution deal agreed with the Government is 20 pages long and packed with technical detail.
Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside will now embark on a months-long process of getting everything in place before it starts operating mid-2016.
We’ve gone through the fine print so you don’t have to – here is what’s in the landmark deal signed this week.
The new Mayor
From May 2019 onward, the North of Tyne will have an elected mayor who will be able to exercise a range of powers and borrow money within a certain limit.
A precept on local council tax bills could be introduced to pay for the mayor’s work and an interim mayor will do the job from summer 2018.
Creating jobs
The focus of the deal is to create “more and better” jobs in the North East, with initial analysis finding 10,000 jobs could be created, 25% of which would be south of the Tyne.
This will be done via the establishment of an Inclusive Growth Board, with representation from council, education, government and business, which will integrate skills and employment programmes.
The North of Tyne has also been selected as the first area to pilot a new scheme to boost the rural economy – good news for Northumberland.
Education and skills
The NTCA will take over the £23m Adult Education Budget, a pot of money which will be used to make sure people have the skills they need to get jobs in the modern economy.
In terms of young people, the NTCA will launch a North of Tyne Education Improvement Challenge, a concerted, region-wide programme to drive up standards in schools.
Housing
The establishment of a Housing and Land Board will allow the combined authority to acquire and dispose of land and help develop a joint housing strategy.
The new mayor will also have the power to issue compulsory purchase orders in order to free up land more quickly for development.
Talks are ongoing over the expansion of specialist housing provision and plans to “accelerate the delivery of new homes in the area above Local Housing Need figures.
Energy and digital
Government has committed to working with the region on developing low-carbon technology, a “key sectoral strength” for North of Tyne.
Much of the economic growth activity will focus on the digital sector.
North of Tyne has more digital start-ups than any area outside London – this deal is designed to build on that.
Internationalisation and competitiveness
Heading into a post-Brexit environment, the deal includes a commitment to set up enhanced advice services and closer work with the Department for International Trade to boost the region’s export market.