A MAYOR has outlined the work he has carried out in his first 100 days in office.

Ben Houchen, who was elected as the first Tees Valley Mayor in May, has spoken of how his plans for the area are starting to take shape.

The Conservative mayor said he has made good progress in bringing Durham Tees Valley airport back under local control and has signed a £200m deal to attract investment and jobs.

Mr Houchen, who during mayoral campaigning vowed to buy Durham Tees Valley Airport and take steps to abolish Cleveland Police if elected, said the airport plan remains a work in progress.

He said: "I’m delighted to have finally put Teesside Airport back on the agenda. In my first three months we’ve had news of investment in the terminal to improve passenger facilities, and a new route announced for the first time since 2010.

"This just shows what people have always known – there is a future for our airport and it can be a success. I’m certainly proud of the part I’ve played to put Teesside Airport back on the agenda as I progress with my election pledge.

"I am currently pulling together a comprehensive set of options to take back control of our airport. This is an exhaustive piece of work with a lot going on behind the scenes. I’ve already held productive meetings with the new Aviation Minister, Lord Callanan, the chairman of Peel Airports, and with others in the aviation industry, who are all working with me to help secure my ambitions."

Turning his attention investment in the area, he said: "More than £240m in private investment has been announced for the Tees Valley. Companies such as PD Ports, Quorn, ErlingKlinger, Biffa Polymers and Calor are all making massive investments, which is a huge vote of confidence in Teesside and its workforce.

"I have also reached a landmark deal with the Teesside Pension Fund for them to invest up to £200 million in local projects. Teessiders have worked hard to pay into their pension pots, so it’s about time their money was invested locally to the benefit of all. This will help to fund my ambitious Plan for Growth that will transform lives and deliver significant change in the Tees Valley."

Focussing on tackling issues relating to Cleveland Police recently criticised for illegally seizing telephone data, he said: "One of my main election promises was to launch an independent commission into Cleveland Police. We need a police force that does justice to the hugely important work of our frontline officers – the men and women who work night and day to keep communities safe. They need to be properly supported by an organisation which enjoys full public confidence.

"Nick Hurd MP, Minister of State for Policing, recently came to the Tees Valley. I’m working with him to get this Commission up and running. Compensation claims against the force in the last few days, show how critical it is that I push ahead with this as soon as possible."

And the work has carried out to secure jobs for the Tees Valley, he said: "There have been more than 1,300 new private sector jobs announcements. I’ve also launched my new £7.5 million ‘Routes to Work’ scheme to help up to 2,500 of the most disadvantaged people find employment."

For more information about the work of the Tees Valley Mayor visit teesvalley-ca.gov.uk