ECONOMIC growth, transport and investment were on the agenda at the first meeting of the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA).

The TVCA met for the first time today (Monday, April 4), just hours before news broke of a major blow to the region’s industry.

As leaders of the new authority gathered to discuss the future of the Tees Valley, Air Products announced its potential withdrawal from its part-built factories in Billingham.

The energy firm is axing its Teesside developments after admitting they will cost too much to build and operate.

The devastating blow to industry and the loss of potential jobs associated with the site is at odds with the optimistic beginnings of the TVCA.

At the inaugural meeting of the TVCA, business representatives and members from the Tees Valley’s five councils gathered to discuss priorities for the future of the combined authority.

The TVCA has been established in a bid to formalise joint working and decision-making between councils, with members hoping its existence will help to accelerate economic growth.

Following a presentation from Darlington Borough Council’s chief executive Ada Burns, members discussed priorities around transport.

Establishing better transport links, improving Middlesbrough and Darlington train stations, electrifying parts of the rail network and making changes to the A19 and A66 is vital to enhancing economic growth, according to the TVCA’s chair, Cllr Sue Jeffrey.

The leader of Redcar and Cleveland council said: “We need an infrastructure that connects us to the rest of the country, so that we can take the things we create and make sure they get out there.

“We will be pushing forward with some big projects to try and secure that infrastructure.”

The meeting also saw discussions around jobs, industry and investment, with representatives from Sirius Minerals giving a presentation on their plans to establish a potash mine near Whitby.

Members pledged their support to the project and said they would help the company make their approaches to central government where needed.

Other issues on the agenda included the future of education and skill-development in the Tees Valley, with discussions around the potential impact of government plans to convert all schools into academies.

Middlesbrough’s mayor, Dave Budd, said the TVCA represented a step forward in making significant improvements to the Tees Valley.

He added: “I think jobs are the biggest priority – we are talking about getting our people into jobs and then everything else follows from that, housing, culture, transport.

“The next chapter in the story is potential devolution – we are absolutely convinced we can come up with better solutions for the Tees Valley than someone miles away in London.”