Member Article

Dave Roberts to stand as Elected Mayor for ‘Teesside and Darlington’

Local businessman and broadcaster Dave Roberts has announced that he intends to stand as Elected Mayor for ‘Teesside and Darlington’, under the devolution deal agreed by the Government.

Mr Roberts is prioritising ‘identity, ambition, efficiency and, above all, accountability to local people’, whilst making it clear that one of his key campaign objectives would be to press for the adoption of ‘Teesside and Darlington’ as the accepted identity for the area.

Dave Roberts explained “I decided to come home after working in many parts of the world because I wanted to do something for the area I am proud to come from and for the people who live and work here.

“During the Mayoral election campaign in Middlesbrough time after time I was told that what our area desperately needed was an identity and unity of purpose. It was that which led me to set up the TeessideTogether organisation because it was patently clear that, after 20 years of trying, efforts to establish ‘Tees Valley’ as our identity had failed…for the simple reason it does not exist in reality.

“It would be a disaster if we went into the new era opening up for the area as a result of the devolution deal still without any clear identity. I believe that for much of the area Teesside does enjoy overwhelming support, but I know from responses I have received that many in Darlington feel differently.”

On his decision to move forward distinctly under the Teesside/Darlington label, he said: “That is why I will be standing on the platform of moving forward as ‘Teesside and Darlington’ an identity on which I believe very many in the area can agree and which will be much better understood when we seek to attract jobs and investment across the globe.

“I am also aware that very many people in the area will not favour an Elected Mayor—but the reality is that it has to happen if we are to gain the benefits offered by the Government. I believe that people will be most likely to give whoever is elected a chance if they see that the Mayor is really making a difference in acting as an ambassador at the same time as ensuring that their local services are delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible.

“That will require the Mayor asking some tough questions about whether the administrative system we have now—five local authorities, plus a ‘combined authority’ and a local enterprise partnership…all with their bureaucracies—is fit for purpose.

“We know that many people argue that this really is far too top heavy—and costly—for a relatively small area and this will become an ever-increasingly important issue as financial pressures increase in the years ahead.”

Mr Roberts added: “The deal announced today is significant, but an additional £15million a year will not protect local services from further pressures…for example the closure of SSI means the loss of £80m a year in wages going into the local economy.

“That’s why the Mayor must be truly independent and free from any vested interests—whether political, business or personal. Simply voting for a ‘safe pair of hands’ who won’t ‘rock the boat’ would be to throw away the opportunity to make our area a major force within the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and beyond.”