Durham County Council Officer Andy Palmer, attended the Town Council meeting last Wednesday to address members on devolution, the subject of a referendum in our county.
He started by stating that NECA the North East Combined Authority was not another Council. It is a statutory authority consisting of seven councils in the North East pooling resources to benefit our region.
Co. Durham is the only one of the seven conducting a referendum to assist our County Council in their decision, although the preference will be made by the cabinet and not the whole council.
It was clear from what the officer said and the mood of the Town Council that opinion was divided following the government ruling on the devolution conditions which required the election of a North East Mayor by 2017 with each of the leaders of the seven authorities becoming his or her cabinet with their own portfolios.
Andy Arnold outlined the so-called benefits of devolution which brings a North East Investment Fund which would hand over Euro money, improve road, air and rail travel, tourism, skills, housing, public services, business development and enterprise zones, with integration of health and social care. There would be £30 million of government money each year for 30 years.
There was much discussion and dissent over the question of government cash when the north is facing bigger cuts than elsewhere. The £30 million offered came nowhere near the money taken from this region in recent cutbacks.
Leader Bob Fleming congratulated Durham on consulting the public but had his doubts on what was proposed. He pointed out that on transport alone the difference spent per head in the north was £22 while in London and the south it was £5,600 per head.
Counc. Chandran had no confidence in NECA and devolution as there was no extra money coming north and he wanted to know how much would be left after the office of the Mayor and his cabinet was paid.
Counc. Blenkinsopp was more cynical and believed the decision had already been made. However, Counc. Adam (County Councillor) assured him the matter had not been discussed or decided by the Labour group.
Counc. Raw said she had no confidence in the proposal following the results of Manchester where devolution was in a complete mess.