People in County Durham have overwhelmingly rejected plans for a supersized North East devolved authority, with 84% backing Labour calls for a county devolution deal.
County Durham Labour launched its survey over two weeks ago, asking people for views on devolution after it emerged Coalition leaders had held secret talks with neighbouring councils about joining six other local authority areas for a North East devolution deal that could see the county governed by an elected mayor based on Tyneside.
Labour called on Tory and LibDem leaders running the Coalition leading Durham County Council to reject supersized devolution – which would merge powers of seven councils stretching from the Scottish Borders to Barnard Castle – to secure a unique “County Durham-only” deal, offered by ministers last year, but which had stalled.
While Labour favours a county deal, members wanted people in the county to have their say on devolution, which had only been discussed behind closed doors by Coalition leaders.
County Durham Labour Leader Carl Marshall said:
“The people have spoken and we’re delighted they have backed Labour in its calls for a county devolution deal, which will be far more beneficial for our residents, communities and businesses.
“Labour is on record as favouring the once in a generation opportunity a county-only deal offers to become masters of our own destiny, and our residents clearly feel likewise, with over eight out of ten respondents to our survey backing a county deal.
“Time and again the Coalition has refused to communicate with the people of County Durham. Labour is now calling on them now to listen to what our residents want and for once put their needs ahead of the political ambitions of the Tory and LibDem members currently running the Durham County Council.”
Labour launched a county-wide consultation on September 20, encouraging residents of all political colours to have their say on devolution. As of yesterday [October 10], out of 623 respondents 525 wanted a county deal.
Residents also listed more support in the cost of living crisis, transport and more emphasis on county towns and villages as their key priorities – a full report will be published later in the week detailing the survey’s full findings.
Cllr Marshall said Coalition leaders, Lib Dem Amanda Hopgood and Conservative Richard Bell, must end the secrecy around devolution talks and let the public know what deals are being done in their name.
Over the last decade, County Durham has secured hundreds of millions of pounds of private investment at the likes of Bishop Auckland town centre, the largest logistics centre in the region at Integra 61, and Hitachi at Newton Aycliffe. The county is also home to two UNESCO world heritage sites and attracts 20 million visitors a year spending £1bn annually.
It is the largest part of the North East economy. The last Labour administration had a plan to grow this with 30,000 new jobs over the next decade – a plan now shelved by the council.
Labour Deputy Leader, Cllr Rob Crute, said:
“Labour has always been a vocal advocate for regional unity and we want to support and be a good neighbour to councils in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, but the views of our residents must be heard. Devolution puts power in the hands of County Durham and takes it from the grasp of those in Whitehall who have spent 12 years imposing their ideological austerity measures upon us.
“As this Tory Government plunges us from one crisis to another, as people go hungry and shiver at home during a cost of living crisis, and in the future as we look to recover – surely the time has come for this Coalition to listen to our residents and finally put the needs of County Durham first.”