The Tees Valley Combined Authority has today published details of how the new Mayoral arrangements will work, once the Tees Valley Mayor is elected on 4th May.
A new constitution for the Combined Authority will be based on the principles of openness and transparency, scrutiny and partnership. The Tees Valley Mayor will form a Cabinet of the Council Leaders, making decisions on the basis of consensus and collaboration.
Commenting on the new arrangements, David Budd, Chair of the Combined Authority said “The new Tees Valley Mayor will be an important and influential figure, helping to secure additional resources for our area, growing the economy, improving transport and infrastructure, boosting skills, and creating new jobs. But it’s also vital that these new responsibilities are accompanied by effective checks and balances, ensuring that decisions are properly accountable and transparent. Our new constitution shows that the Tees Valley is now able to take on devolved responsibilities, and make decisions more effectively than central government 250 miles away.”
Decisions will be open to scrutiny by councillors drawn from the five local authorities. Decisions will be made in public, and the Combined Authority will adopt strong procedures for financial management and transparency. Most decisions will require majority agreement amongst the Cabinet, with some matters requiring unanimous agreement. The Budget will be proposed by the Mayor, and can be amended by Cabinet members.
The new constitution also includes a strong role for the local business community, through the Local Enterprise Partnership, helping the Tees Valley to deliver its ambitious economic plans.
Under procedures set out by parliament, an Independent Remuneration Panel has been set up to recommend an allowance for the Tees Valley Mayor, and has today published its recommendations. In keeping with the spirit of partnership between the incoming Tees Valley Mayor and the existing Council Leaders, the Panel conclude that the Tees Valley Mayor should be paid an allowance equivalent to the average of the allowances received by the council leaders: currently £35,800. This will be funded by money devolved from central government and not from local council tax payers.
The meeting of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Board will discuss the new constitutional arrangements at 10am on February 22 at Cavendish House, Stockton-on-Tees.
The papers for the meeting are available at www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/boardpapers