Partner Article

Tees Valley leads the way with new partnership

An agreement announced this week has been heralded as ‘a vital step forward in breaking down the barriers to economic progress in the Tees Valley, improving the quality of life for local people-and putting our area at the forefront of partnership with Government.’

That was how Hugh Lang, Chair of Tees Valley Unlimited described the importance of the signing of the ‘Multi Area Agreement’. The agreement is designed to enable the Tees Valley local authorities, working with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, to speed up progress on key issues affecting the whole of the sub-region.

The agreement was signed in London on Monday afternoon by Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears and Local Government Minster John Healey on behalf of the Government with Mr Lang, and Vice Chair Councillor John Williams signing on behalf of Tees Valley Unlimited.

Hugh Lang said: “Of course signatures on a piece of paper do not in themselves make a difference to people’s lives, but it is what the agreement can help us achieve which will really makes the difference.

“Essentially this is it not about increasing the amount of money which comes to us from Government, but using the funds we do receive in the most efficient and effective way - genuinely reflecting our local priorities.”

Overseeing the Agreement will be Tees Valley Unlimited, whose Leadership Board includes the Mayors and Leaders from the area’s five local authorities and five leading figures from the local business and higher education sectors.

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