Partner Article

Government decision boosts Tees Valley plans

Plans for the regeneration of the Tees Valley have taken a step forward. The area is one of 13 sub-regions in the UK which have been given a boost this week with the creation of ‘Multi Area Agreements’ (MAAs).

MAAs are intended to enable local authorities, working with partners, to come together to tackle jobs, transport, investment and housing issues affecting entire sub-regions.

The Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit has led the way in devising plans on behalf of the area’s five local authorities, including the setting up of the new ‘Tees Valley Unlimited’ organisation. The group will co-ordinate City Region policies such as planning, economic strategy, transport, housing, skills and tourism, drawing on expertise from the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears, made the announcement earlier this week.

John Lowther, Director of the Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit, said: “Multi Area Agreements provide a new way of ensuring better coordination and delivery of programmes in the Tees Valley. “Our plans include major regeneration projects to provide new jobs and homes, including replacing outdated terraced housing with homes built to modern standards and providing a modern public transport network which will improve accessibility to employment opportunities.”

The pilot Multi Area Agreement for the Tees Valley will run for between three and five years. Funding will come from One NorthEast, together with money allocated by Government for transport projects and housing market renewal programmes.

Hugh Lang, Chair of Tees Valley Unlimited, said: “The Government’s agreement that the Tees Valley is to become a pilot area for the Multi Area Agreement programme really is fantastic news. It shows the benefit of not only the Tees Valley authorities working together to a common economic strategy but also collaborating with the private sector.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .