Agenda and minutes

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To consider and determine if consent in principle should be given to the making of an Order that would abolish the North East and North of Tyne Combined Authorities, whilst at the same time establishing a new North East Mayoral Combined Authority.

Cabinet received a report on North East Devolution following an announcement made on 28 December 2022 by HM Government that a “minded to” devolution deal with the seven Councils across the North East (i.e., Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland Councils).

The Councils had consulted on these changes and the Secretary of State had prepared a draft of the statutory order which was required to implement these proposals. This report was seeking approval to the authority to provide the Council’s consent in principle to the making of that statutory order.

The “minded to” devolution deal would see a significant shift of powers, funding and responsibility which would enable the Councils across the North East to pursue their ambitions for inclusive growth.  In total, it was expected to provide £4.2 billion of additional investment to the region over 30 years, including a £1.4bn investment fund alongside significant funding for transport, education and skills, housing and regeneration.  This would enable investment into projects which reflected local needs and opportunities, making a real difference for our residents, communities, and the local economy.  It would support every aspect of the delivery of the Council’s priorities through the devolution of increased funding and powers.

The deal required the Councils to establish a new Mayoral Combined Authority.  This would be dependent on the Secretary of State making a statutory order under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 to deliver the following proposals:

1. the abolition of the two existing Combined Authorities, namely, NTCA and NECA; and
2. the creation of a new Mayoral Combined Authority which covers the area of all seven Councils, which will be called the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA).

It was noted that the changes above would also entail the abolition of the Joint Transport Committee as NEMCA would be responsible for the exercise of transport functions across the region in the future.

As the first stage of the statutory process, the Councils undertook a Governance Review regarding the proposals set out in paragraph 1.5.2 of the report.  The results of the Governance Review were reported to Cabinet on 16 January 2023 (Minute CAB71/23).  On the basis of the Governance Review, Cabinet concluded that the proposals were likely to improve the exercise of statutory functions in accordance with sections 108 and 111 of the 2009 Act.  Cabinet therefore agreed that the Councils should progress to the next stage of the statutory process by publishing a Scheme relating to the proposals and then carrying out a public consultation exercise.

The public consultation began on 26 January 2023 and closed on 23 March 2023.  A report on the consultation process was considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 1 June 2023 (Minute CAB16/23).  As set out in that report, the public consultation was considered to be extensive, and overall, the responses to the consultation were supportive.  On this basis, Cabinet was satisfied that the consultation had been sufficient for the purposes of the legislation and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB65/23

Monday 27 November 2023 at 6.00pm.

6.00pm on Monday 27 November 2023.