As County Durham overwhelmingly rejects plans for a supersized North East devolved authority, Labour has shared the investment priorities of people in the county.

This week, Labour revealed that over 84% of people responding to a devolution survey backed plans for a County Durham-only deal, with just 16% calling for Durham to join a North East supersized authority stretching from Berwick to Barnard Castle.

County Durham Labour launched the survey last month, asking for residents’ views on devolution, as it emerged Coalition leaders were holding secret talks with neighbouring councils about joining six other local authority areas to form a North East mega-devolved authority, governed by a Tyneside based mayor.

Labour said Tory and LibDem leaders running the Coalition Council should reject supersized devolution – merging the powers of seven councils – to secure a unique “County Durham-only” deal, offered by ministers last year, but which had stalled.

Labour favours the county deal, but members wanted to hear the views of people in the county, especially as Coalition leaders had refused to discuss their plans in open debate.

County Durham Labour Leader Carl Marshall said:

“We’re delighted people backed Labour calls for a county devolution deal – as the country lurches from one crisis to another under this hapless government, the time has come to take power from the manicured fingers of Tory ministers and put in the working hands of County Durham residents.

“Labour is on record as favouring the once in a generation opportunity a county-only deal, which will make us the masters of our own destiny. Our residents clearly feel likewise, with over eight out of ten respondents in favour of it.

“Time and again the Coalition has refused to communicate with people in County Durham. Labour is demanding they listen to what residents want and for once put their needs ahead of the political ambitions of the Tory and LibDem members running the County Council.”


Survey results:

What deal would you prefer for County Durham:

A County Deal: 84% (525 respondents)
A North East Deal: 16% (98 respondents)

If County Durham had its own deal, which areas do you think needs the most investment (respondents chose five):

Cost of Living: 60%
Transport: 66%
Towns and Villages: 64%
Jobs: 60%
Energy: 57%
Environment: 30%
Tourism: 12%
Arts: 10 %

Labour launched the county-wide consultation on September 20, encouraging responses from all political colours. Of the 623 respondents, 525 wanted a county deal.

Cllr Marshall said Coalition heads, LibDem Amanda Hopgood and Tory Richard Bell, must end secrecy around current talks and tell the public what deals are being done in their name.

Labour Deputy Leader, Cllr Rob Crute, said:

“While we recognise the many benefits of going it alone in a county deal, we remain committed to regional unity, and we want to be a good neighbour to the combined councils in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

“But the views of residents must be heard. Devolution will help address years of ideological austerity, cuts to bus and public transport networks, help our residents cope in a cost of living crisis and offer energy costs support. In short, a county deal puts County Durham first.”