Reformed North East Combined Authority holds first meeting since North of Tyne deal split

Leaders from the newly constituted North East Combined Authority (NECA) have held their first meeting to discuss the future of the “productive heart” of the region’s economy.

Comprising authorities in Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland, the partnership was reformed after the previous NECA disbanded to allow Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland to form their own ‘landmark’ mayoral combined authority.

At the meeting earlier today (November 13), South Tyneside Council Leader Cllr Iain Malcolm was appointed to chair the new combined authority, while Durham County Council Leader Cllr Simon Henig was named vice chair.

It was also agreed that the leaders will meet again to finalise the new body’s primary collaborative projects.

The NECA said in a statement: “The NECA area is the productive heart of the North East region’s economy.

“And so, our decisions are critically important to the economic wellbeing of the wider region.”

It added: “Today’s meeting is the start of a new journey towards achieving our ambitions individually and collectively and we are ready to step up to the plate and ensure that this area continues to supply the economic lifeblood to power this fantastic region.”

Representing an area with an economy worth well over £20bn, the NECA said it will “play to its strengths” and capitalise on the “significant headway” it had made in a number of key sectors.

The statement continued: “Already, the area is home to the region’s world-leading advanced manufacturing and technology sectors and a thriving hub of business services and innovative creative and cultural firms.

“Manufacturing GVA accounts for almost double the contribution to the economy than across England as a whole. But we are not complacent.”

The NECA said it wants more “for the 432,000 people who are employed in 28,000 enterprises” in its region, and that its aim is to “sustain the 61,000 employees working in manufacturing in the area”, in addition to creating the conditions that will attract more investment.

According to the leaders of the four NECA authorities, their seven largest employment-generating capital projects have a combined investment value of £1.6bn and are expected to bring almost 24,000 jobs to the area.

The statement further confirmed that the NECA will collaborate with other regional bodies, including the newly formed North of Tyne Combined Authority.

It read: “Though the North of Tyne Devolution Deal has seen our counterpart authorities in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland form their own new mayoral combined authority, we know that the strength of partnership that remains across all parts of our region will allow us to continue to drive forward priorities around economic development and regeneration, delivering huge benefits for everyone across the North East.

“We will deliver a joint transport strategy with our North of Tyne colleagues to ensure our resident and business needs are delivered going forward.”

The NECA also reiterated its “unwavering commitment” to working in partnership with the North East business community, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and authorities in the north of the region and Tees Valley.