Dear Sir,
On the 23rd October a devolution agreement to transform the North East economy and bring new opportunities for businesses and residents was signed between members of the unelected North East Combined Authority and the Government. To devolve funding and responsibilities to the region in respect of transport, investment, funding, skills training, business support, housing and strategic planning. If agreed and approved by councils, The North East Combined Authority controlled by a newly elected Mayor would take control of the new devolved powers in 2017.
In the preamble it says
The deal would enable the Combined Authority to create an Investment Fund focused on supporting the North East to compete in international markets, worth up to £1.5 billion, with an initial allocation of revenue funding for capital financing of at least £30 million a year for 30 years. The incoming Mayor would also have the option, with business support, to raise up to a further £30 million a year through a business rate supplement. The North East would in addition benefit from access to Local Growth Funding, from new Enterprise Zones, through the current bidding round, and from local leadership over European funding. Further details would be set out at and following the spending review through a place-based settlement and a single capital programme, demonstrating fair funding. A Mayor for the North East would be established, working as part of the Combined Authority and and with a strong partnership with business. Elections would take place in 2017. We will together review the appropriate relationship between the mayor and the role of police and crime commissioners.
Final agreement remains subject to the Government’s spending review and the legislative process, and is also conditional upon further public consultation and the agreement of the seven local councils which make up the combined authority. Durham County Council Leader Simon Henig has indicated that Durham County Council will seek the opinion of County Durham residents through a poll which will be held by 8th February 2016.  This will be used to guide Durham County Council’s decision with the Combined Authority. There is a huge question mark hanging over whether there is any appetite for a mayor in the North East. Hartlepool voted to keep a council leader and cabinet model in 2012, abolishing the independent Mayor role. Newcastle rejected the chance to have a mayor the same year. The North East, by and large, did not vote Conservative or for George Osborne’s devolution Bill and that the mayor could be used as a buffer for government to shift blame on to for cuts.
The Chancellor’s Northern Powerhouse plan also places significant focuses on boosting cities but the North East Combined Authority covers the largest area of any combined authority in the country, and a good portion of it is rural. Is it realistic to assume one mayor can represent the NECA area? The role proposed would represent the cities of Newcastle and Sunderland, as well as the counties of Northumberland and County Durham – an area stretching from Berwick to Newton Aycliffe.
This consultation exercise will cost County Council tax payers approximately £230,000. Durham University is to examine the responses and analyse it for the County Council. The Council will then make the final decision.
In question 1, I recommend you vote “Be the wrong thing to do”
Questions 2, 3 and 4 are not relevant to a No answer.
In 2004 77% of the electors in the North East rejected a Northern Assembly
In County Durham the seven district councils undertook a referendum in June 2007. There was an excellent turnout, with nearly 40% of the electorate voting and, of these, 76.4% voted against the idea of one large unitary council,  but it still went ahead.
A clear two thirds of the electorate voted against a Northern Assembly and a Durham County Unitary Authority. I have no doubt that electors will once again reject a North East Combined Authority when they get the chance and it remains to be seen if their vote is respected by Durham County Council.
The £40 million a year Public Health budget which was devolved to the County Council three years ago looks as though it is to be phased out altogether, leaving the County with the responsibilities, but no money.
Nowhere could I find how this NECA and North East Mayor would be paid for, or any borrowing except putting up Business Rates, nor how the up to £1.5 Billion Investment Fund would be financed, it does not explain how “subject to local democratic scrutiny,” would work.
Arun M Chandran