No public consultation, insufficient powers - first reaction to devolution deal from Liberal Democrats
The Government has announced a North of Tyne Authority will be set up (as long as Labour councils south of Tyne agee) with £30 million a year funding and the aim of increasing productivity and jobs. On an interim basis it is likely to be based in Newcastle Liberal Democrats in Newcastle say that there are some steps forward here which we can welcome, such as funding for brownfield housing developments, schools improvement challenge, and greater control of skills and training budgets. However, we have some concern at the prospect of a mayoral authority which will divide Newcastle and Gateshead and is significantly underpowered compared to competitor city-regions. We regret that it is being imposed on the electorate without a mandate and without public consultation. The region's political establishment has failed to make a notable success of the North East Combined Authority. We are sceptical that this new structure will enable Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Northumberland to keep pace with the likes of Manch
