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'Any devolution deal the best possible outcome for Northumberland', says Council leader in latest vote

Northumberland County Council has endorsed proposals for North East devolution, following assurances from the government on supporting rural areas.

The council’s Cabinet met yesterday (May 10) to further discuss the devolution deal, although no final decision will be made by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) until all necessary council cabinets have met along with the North East Combined Authority Leadership Board on May 17.

If ultimately agreed, the move will represent a major change to the way in which decisions will be made in the future about transport, investment, funding, skills training, business support, housing and strategic planning.

It will also result in a new elected mayor – to be elected for the first time in 2017. They would be part of a Cabinet along with other local authority leaders with key decisions requiring a majority vote.

After voting in favour of the proposals in March, the county council asked the government to provide a number of specific assurances – aimed at ensuring the unique rural challenges faced in Northumberland are recognised.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has now written to all local councils addressing a number of areas of concern – including support for the proposed reintroduction of the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne passenger line and the need to address inequalities within the Fair Funding Review and and the proposed Business Rate Retention Scheme.

Council leader Grant Davey said: “We remain determined that any devolution deal produces the best possible outcome for the people of Northumberland.

“While we voted in favour of the agreement, we needed the government to understand the issues we face as a rural authority, rather than just focusing on the urban areas.

“We have now had positive feedback from the government on a number of areas of concern and are happy to endorse the current proposals, while acknowledging the process still has some way to go.”

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