Have your say on the North East Devolution Deal

A devolution deal for the region means unlocking £4.2 billion of investment, over 30 years, and seeing additional powers transferred from Whitehall to local people with better knowledge and experience of our communities. There is no change to the way the seven local authorities operate independently, and they will still be responsible for delivering the services they do currently.

The deal is expected to create 24,000 extra jobs, create 70,000 courses to give people the skills to get good jobs and leverage £5.0 billion of private sector investment.

This deal represents a significant opportunity to make a difference to people who live and work in the North East, and could have a hugely positive impact on the big issues that matter to you.

Whether that is new and better paid jobs, more affordable housing or placing ourselves at the forefront of Net Zero revolution, the chance of more decision-making powers and millions of pounds in funding will have a major impact on the North East.

The new authority, which would cover an area which is home to around 2 million people, will have the power to make decisions on areas such as transport, skills, housing, finance and economic development.

The deal includes:

• An investment fund of £1.4bn, or £48m a year, to support inclusive economic growth and support our regeneration priorities.
• An indicative budget of around £1.8bn, or £60m a year, for adult education and skills - to meet local skills priorities and improve opportunities for residents.
• A £900m package of investment to transform our transport system, with £563m from the City Regional Sustainable Transport Fund, on top of funding already announced for our buses and metro system.
• £69m of investment in housing and regeneration, unlocking sites to bring forward new housing and commercial development

Local leaders have worked together to negotiate an offer which matches their ambition to make a difference for residents, communities and the economy. 

Devolution - transcript (PDF, 60 KB)

Note: the only audio on the video is music 

What is the consultation about?

The consultation is a chance for you to understand proposals of how the proposed devolution deal from government could be implemented in the region and have your say.

We'll be asking for your views about the details of the proposed scheme - the document that sets out how devolution would be implemented.

This devolution deal is subject to adopting the model of a directly elected mayor over the whole of the Combined Area and replacing the two combined authorities which currently exist in that area, namely the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and North of Tyne Mayoral Combined Authority (NTCA), with a single new North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA).

The councils have published a scheme under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

Currently, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council and Northumberland County Council are members of NTCA while Durham County Council, Gateshead Council, South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council are members of NECA.

Our published scheme sets out proposals for changing the way in which the councils work together on these matters, and for devolving new powers to the area of the seven councils.

This new combined authority will be led by a Mayor elected by residents across the area, and together with one representative from each of the seven constituent councils will form a Cabinet which will make decisions for the new combined authority.

There are documents available on this page for reference if you would like more detail:

• North East Devolution Governance Review (PDF, 983 KB) - which considers how functions to promote economic growth and improve transport are managed in the region, concluding that the creation of a new authority would deliver better outcomes.
• North East Devolution Scheme (PDF, 256 KB) - sets out proposals to change the governance arrangements for the area of the seven councils.
• North East Devolution Deal (PDF, 809 KB) - the deal document agreed in principle with government
• North East Devolution FAQs (PDF, 153 KB)

Have your say

This public consultation is your chance to have a say on our proposals.

What happens next

A summary of the responses will be considered by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities who will have regard to the views of the public and other stakeholders when deciding whether to make the required legislation to put the changes into effect.

A total of 3,235 people and organisations across the region took part in the consultation, with 2,579 opting to complete an online or paper survey. The online survey was available on each council's website and on both combined authorities' websites. People were able to submit their views by using a paper copy of the survey available in a range of public venues across the region or via a letter or email. 15 in-person public events were held across the proposed devolution area which allowed people to learn more about the proposed devolution deal and to ask questions. In total, 357 people attended the public consultation events. An additional nine online events were held with 263 people taking part.

Devolution consultation results for Durham (PDF, 577 KB). This document was supplied by an external organisation and does not comply with accessibility legislation. If, for any reason, you cannot access the document and need an alternative format, please Contact Consultations.