LAST Friday, I was one of 200 people in the Baltic art gallery, in Gateshead, who gathered to hear the findings of Lord Adonis’ review into the state of the North-East economy.

The Labour Peer, dubbed The Thin Controller during his spell as transport secretary, is heading a review team which will agree a five-point growth plan for consideration at Whitehall.

The event was three times oversubscribed, I was told by the North-East Local Enterprise Partnership, which commissioned the work.

It included some genuinely interesting presentations, such as an insight into advanced manufacturing by Professor John MacIntyre, of Sunderland University, but disappointingly few revelations emerged over the four-hour session.

The research had found that the North-East needs a more skilled workforce; more and better jobs and better transport links to compete globally.

This much we knew.

The Adonis report is due to land on Nick Clegg’s desk at about the same time that another Westminster grandee – Lord Heseltine – issues his proposals on industrial policy and regional business. Both are expected to call for an end to Whitehall’s stranglehold over decision-making by handing control and responsibility of skills budgets, regeneration funds and job creation schemes to the regions.

In short, the Government will receive two reports which back up its own policies.

The Coalition has made no secret of its desire to devolve power to the regions.

Its City Deal initiative, which this week shortlisted bids from Tees Valley and Sunderland, being a case in point. Rather than take the flak for not investing in growth and jobs the Government would prefer to pass the buck to local – and largely unelected – decision makers ie LEPs.

From the Adonis and Hesletine reviews to City Deals and the regional growth fund it would seem that the LEPs – made up of council and business leaders – are about to play an increasingly important role in our lives, whether we like it or not.

The concept of the North-East taking power from London has obvious appeal.

My concern is that the system for delivering the new powers risks undermining local democracy.

“The region should take direct control over budgets, so we see better projects meeting this region’s specific requirements.

The answer doesn’t lie in London-based quangos,” Lord Adonis told me.

Instead, it would appear to lie in North-East-based quangos.

GOOD news over at Durham Tees Valley Airport where a local entrepreneur has launched a business that turns defunct aircraft into cash.

It’s great to hear some positive news from the airport after a long spell in the doldrums. Let’s hope it continues.

LEAST inspiring press release headline of the week goes to – Countdown to National Ferry Fortnight.

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