Michael Gove visits Gateshead for landmark devolution deal
Today, Friday 27 January 2023, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, visited Gateshead Quays for the signing of the historic devolution deal.
Mr Gove met with Leaders and the Elected Mayor from all seven local authorities and the Mayor of North Tyne, in Gateshead to sign the devolution deal, which is set to transfer new powers to local leaders in the North East to deliver skills, transport and housing.
The backdrop for the signing was significant as it took place at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art overlooking the river Tyne and the new Gateshead Quays development - which has recently been granted £20million of Levelling Up Funding. It is expected that the Quays development, consisting of the Sage arena, conference, and exhibition centre, will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Gateshead, with a wider riverside renaissance unlocking a potential £2billion of investment, which will be fundamental in transforming the riverside from Gateshead Quays to the Derwent Valley.
In the devolution deal, the Government guarantees the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) more than £1.4 billion over the next 30 years, which will enable the new Mayor and the councils to plan for the long term, with certainty, and unlock the benefits of devolution for 2 million people living in the area.
A public consultation is now under way to give residents, businesses and other stakeholders across the region a chance to understand how the proposed devolution deal from Government could be implemented and have their say. Feedback can be given online or by attending a number of face-to-face and virtual events taking place across the North East.
The deal would see people across Gateshead, County Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland be given the power to elect directly a Mayor of the North East. This person can act as a local champion who can help attract investment to the area and act as a powerful local voice in discussions with central government and other bodies.
The devolution deal will bring the region together and provide a more strategic economic geography, which encompasses the whole Tyne and Wear region, as well as Northumberland and Durham.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: "Following our recent announcement of £20million of Levelling Up Funding being awarded to the Sage arena, conference, and exhibition centre, we were pleased to host Mr Gove in Gateshead for the signing of this landmark devolution deal, with the Gateshead Quays as the backdrop!
"'We're looking forward to consulting with our residents and hearing their thoughts on the devolution deal."
Today, Friday 27 January 2023, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, visited Gateshead Quays for the signing of the historic devolution deal.
Mr Gove met with Leaders and the Elected Mayor from all seven local authorities and the Mayor of North Tyne, in Gateshead to sign the devolution deal, which is set to transfer new powers to local leaders in the North East to deliver skills, transport and housing.
The backdrop for the signing was significant as it took place at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art overlooking the river Tyne and the new Gateshead Quays development - which has recently been granted £20million of Levelling Up Funding. It is expected that the Quays development, consisting of the Sage arena, conference, and exhibition centre, will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Gateshead, with a wider riverside renaissance unlocking a potential £2billion of investment, which will be fundamental in transforming the riverside from Gateshead Quays to the Derwent Valley.
In the devolution deal, the Government guarantees the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) more than £1.4 billion over the next 30 years, which will enable the new Mayor and the councils to plan for the long term, with certainty, and unlock the benefits of devolution for 2 million people living in the area.
A public consultation is now under way to give residents, businesses and other stakeholders across the region a chance to understand how the proposed devolution deal from Government could be implemented and have their say. Feedback can be given online or by attending a number of face-to-face and virtual events taking place across the North East.
The deal would see people across Gateshead, County Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland be given the power to elect directly a Mayor of the North East. This person can act as a local champion who can help attract investment to the area and act as a powerful local voice in discussions with central government and other bodies.
The devolution deal will bring the region together and provide a more strategic economic geography, which encompasses the whole Tyne and Wear region, as well as Northumberland and Durham.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: "Following our recent announcement of £20million of Levelling Up Funding being awarded to the Sage arena, conference, and exhibition centre, we were pleased to host Mr Gove in Gateshead for the signing of this landmark devolution deal, with the Gateshead Quays as the backdrop!
"'We're looking forward to consulting with our residents and hearing their thoughts on the devolution deal."
