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Sajid Javid meets with Teesside leaders to hear latest devolution proposals

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid visited the Tees Valley today and agreed to work with local leaders in their efforts to further along devolution plans.

The meeting marked almost a year to the day since the Tees Valley devolution deal was signed, transferring powers from Westminster over issues including transport, training and regeneration.

This includes the recent transfer of £15m of new money to the area through the deal announced last month.

Mr Javid said: “Just 12 months ago the people of the Tees Valley came forward with a devolution deal that is already making a real difference to local people’s lives.

“From control over transport, to millions of pounds of new money this deal hands significant powers away from Whitehall to people who know the area best and know what the area needs most.”

At the meeting the next steps of the deal were discussed, including a further application for financial assistance through a dedicated Local Growth Fund.

Moreover, the Chancellor’s guarantee on European funding, meaning that the programme can now proceed with confidence, formed a key part of the talks whilst opportunities for further devolution over time were also explored.

David Budd, Chair of the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Mayor of Middlesbrough, said: “This meeting was an opportunity to take stock of progress with the new Secretary of State, and reaffirm our collective commitment to making further progress.

“Tees Valley can be a flagship of successful devolution, and local leaders are determined to make a difference to bring good quality jobs and investment to our area.”

Paul Booth, Chair of the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Tees Valley’s economic strengths can make a major contribution to the UK’s Industrial Strategy, with opportunities to bring forward investable propositions to transform our economy and meet the industrial challenges ahead.

“We will use our devolved powers and resources to strengthen the resilience of the local and the national economy”.

Javid added: “It was good to meet with the local leaders today and hear their latest proposals for how they will use these new powers to further benefit of the people of Tees Valley.”

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