Plotters fail to derail the deal
Reporter PLOTTERS failed in their bid to derail the North of Tyne devolution deal.
The proposed creation of a mayoral combined authority for Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland became the subject of debate at a Newcastle council showdown.
After initial claims from Liberal Democrat councillors the deal fell short of legal requirements, the proposal to delay devolution was rejected unanimously.
Although the deal has been cited as a boost for jobs, education and housing, Lib Dem councillors said it did not meet key standards in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
The law stipulates combined authorities must “reflect the identities and interests of local communities” and “secure effective and convenient local government”.
Liberal Democrat councillor Greg Stone asked to pause the decision on the devolution agreement in light of legal concerns raised by Professor John Tomaney.
The professor of urban and regional planning at University College London, heavily criticised the new arrangement in an article in our sister paper The Journal on Tuesday
He said: “‘North of Tyne’ is a misnomer; one of the principal settlements in Northumberland – Hexham –is located south of the Tyne.
“Defining sub-national identities in England is notoriously difficult, but ‘North of Tyne’ seems uniquely contrived and opaque.
“It is not the product of any logic of rational local government, more effective economic development policy or underlying local identity.”
Councillors were asked to put the deal on ice until a QC was given the chance to assess the legality of the proposal.
Hitting back at the recommended delay, leader of the council Nick Forbes said: “This is the first step on our region’s journey towards devolution. The heart of the deal is investment in people.
“This deal itself could lead to 10,000 extra new jobs and £2.1bn in private sector investment.
“Crucially though, it’s about our region not being left behind.”
Coun Stone responded by saying the opposition were “fully supportive of additional funding” but the council needed to face “uncomfortable truths”.
He was backed by Lib Dem councillor Robin Ashby who said independent experts such as Professor Tomaney should be consulted.
Coun Ashby added: “The North of Tyne devolution does not appear to meet the legal criteria.”
Labour councillors then pointed out the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Vince Cable, had told the region to ‘get its act together’ and secure devolution.
Lib Dem Coun David Faulkner said: “We’re on the same hymn sheet as Vince Cable but it must be done in the right kind of way.”
Responding to Prof Tomaney’s descriptio as the “thinnest gruel”, Labour Coun Nick Kemp said: “It’s the first stage of the process, it may be thin gruel but it’s better than no gruel whatsoever.”
Just before a named vote rejected the recommendation 58-0, Coun Forbes said: “We’re prepared to get on with securing jobs, we’re getting on with making our region a better place to live, to work and to learn.”
A public consultation on the proposals is under way until February 5.
If the deal progresses the new authority will be set up in the summer of this year, with the first mayoral elections due to take place in May 2019.