Pressure from Labour councillors has secured a vital devolution debate at Durham County Council.
Labour members, who back a county-devolution deal rather than for County Durham to throw-in with six other Tyne & Wear and Northumberland councils in a super-authority, have forced the public debate, which will be held on Wednesday 7 December.
County Durham Labour Leader, Cllr Carl Marshall, said:
“We are battling hard to ensure County Durham receives the best possible devolution outcome – a county-wide deal that enables us to be masters of our own destiny.
“Securing this public debate is the first step in overturning the regressive decision of the Tory-led Coalition to make County Durham a small part of the Tyne & Wear and Northumberland super-authority, which would mean investment decisions in our county are overseen by a mayor on Tyneside or in Northumberland.
“It would also see us miss out on £147m transport funding, which has already been divvied up by the six other authorities, who have been working on their devolution deal for well over a year.
“I would urge anyone with an interest in the future success and prosperity of County Durham, to attend this debate and let this shambolic Coalition know that the time has come for them to finally put County Durham First.”
Labour Deputy Leader, Cllr Rob Crute, said:
“The Coalition’s favoured deal does nothing to address over a decade of Government austerity and because they’ve not been at the negotiating table for the last year, County Durham would end up feeding on scraps as much of the investment has already been divided up and agreed by the other six authorities.
“As with everything they do, the Coalition has been painfully slow to decide on a preferred deal, equally slow to the negotiating table and incredibly weak in championing our county. They are willing to give up the opportunity a county wide deal offers to become a small part of a massive authority covering everything from Berwick to Barnard Castle.
“This debate is vital for the future of County Durham and it’s time for our residents’ voices to be heard.”