PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Devolution: North East (30 November 2015)

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 42 of the North East Devolution Agreement, what the composition of the proposed Steering Group will be; what the process of escalation referred to will be; and what plans he has to report on the activities of the Steering Group to Parliament on an annual or quarterly basis.

Asked by:
Bridget Phillipson (Labour)

My officials are working closely with representatives of the North East Combined Authority to ensure that robust implementation arrangements for the North East Devolution Deal are in place. Aspects of monitoring, including a steering group, are still subject to ongoing discussions, and once agreed will form part of the North East Combined Authority’s Implementation Plan.

The Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill includes provision for the Secretary of State to provide an Annual Report to both Houses of Parliament on areas of the country where agreements have been reached, as soon as practicable after 31 March each year.

Answered by:
Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative)
7 December 2015