As plans for a new combined authority for the Tees Valley move on apace, Stuart Arnold answers the key questions.

Q: What is a combined authority?

A: Combined authorities are statutory bodies created to formalise joint working and decision-making between councils in order to accelerate economic growth. It is proposed that the Tees Valley combined authority would focus on strategic transport and infrastructure, employment and skills, economic development, business investment and low carbon. These are all functions currently carried out on a strategic level by Tees Valley Unlimited, the Local Enterprise Partnership for the area.

Q: Why does the Tees Valley need a combined authority?

A: Creating a combined authority would build upon the existing excellent partnership of local authorities and put a structure in place that would ensure the area can take advantage of new powers and funding which may become available.

Q: What would the combined authority do?

A: It would work with businesses to attract investment and influence training and education to ensure business has the skilled people it needs and local residents are able to get the training they need to secure locally created jobs.

It would work to influence Government policy and ensure the economic needs of the Tees Valley are understood and accommodated. Both the current Government and the Labour party have indicated they would devolve power and resources to such a body.

Q: Would this mean the local authorities would be merged creating a county council?

A: No. The plans would see the councils continue to exist in their own right delivering local services, but unite as a formal Tees Valley combined authority when focusing on strategic economic development, transport, infrastructure and skills.

The combined authority will also be the vehicle through which we can receive future devolved powers down from Westminster, not merging or taking over local authorities.

Q: Would a combined authority add another layer of bureaucracy?

A: No. Having a combined authority would make decision making simpler for strategic transport and infrastructure, employment and skills, economic development, business investment and low carbon. The combined authority – initially comprising the leaders and elected mayors from the 5 authorities – could take decisions for the whole of the Tees Valley without having to return to the individual councils to have decisions confirmed ensuring that the needs of the whole of the Tees Valley are taken into account.

By having representatives from the local authorities and the private sector business leaders involved in decision making the combined authority would ensure both views are considered. It would also be clearer who is responsible for decisions.

Q: The Government has said it will devolve further powers to the regions so does this not negate the need for a combined authority?

A: We do not yet know the details of what powers are likely to be devolved in future, however we understand from Government and the opposition that by having a combined authority we are more likely to be able to have some of these powers for the area.

Q: Would this cost more than the current structure and if so how much?

A: The structure that is being developed is similar to the existing structure of TVU and therefore we do not expect it to cost much more. Once a structure has been finalised, which will happen over the coming months, we will know the actual costs.

Q: Would there be role duplications and if so would there be any job losses?

A: The activities to be done by a combined authority are mainly those that are currently done by TVU. With existing TVU staff servicing the combined authority we do not expect there to be duplication or job losses.

Q: Does this mean we are going to have a Tees Valley Elected Mayor?

A: There is no intention to move towards such a position at this point in time but governance arrangements may change as the agenda evolves.

Q: Would the local authorities still be responsibilities for roads in their areas?

A: Local authorities would still be the highways authorities with responsibility for repairs and maintenance . The combined authority would be a strategic body and would get involved in strategic transport decisions.

Q: Does the combined authority want to be a tax raising body?

A: It is not the intention to ask for tax raising powers at this point in time, however we need to see what powers Government is planning to devolve to local areas.

Q: Why are you not joining the combined authority already established by the seven other local authorities in the North East?

A: The Tees Valley has a distinct and unique economy and TVU’s success has proved that specialised work is required for our economic development. One size doesn’t fit all.