COUNCIL chiefs in the North-East are ready to accept a powerful ‘metro mayor’, a Cabinet minister has insisted – despite their protests.

Local Government Secretary Greg Clark said he believed the North East Combined Authority (NECA) wanted the “clear leadership” provided by a mayor, ahead of further talks this week.

Two weeks ago, NECA – which brings together seven council leaders from County Durham to Northumberland – fiercely criticised Government attempts to impose a cross-border mayor.

Simon Henig, County Durham’s Labour leader and the NECA chairman, said the public should decide, adding: “In a democracy, powers should flow upwards from the people.”

In the Commons on Monday (June 29), Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson demanded a referendum, saying: “There is considerable disagreement in the North-East about an elected mayor.”

But Mr Clark, who replaced Eric Pickles in the post-election reshuffle, told MPs there was growing support for the unifying idea.

He said: “In discussions with the North-East authorities – and I expect to see them later this week – there is a real groundswell of opinion about the divisions that have held back the North-East.

“That this is the time to put them aside and to have that clear leadership.

“Nothing will be imposed on the area, but I look forward to meeting with the leaders later this week and to hearing their proposals.”

Legislation before parliament would transfer powers to metro mayors in any areas that choose one, with an election as early as 2017 – but no prior referendum.

The rewards could be extensive powers over transport – including to run bus services – planning, housing, the police and to integrate health and social care budgets.

City-regions could also win an ‘earn back’ deal, allowing them to retain huge tax revenues from economic growth, perhaps to fund transport improvements.

Chancellor George Osborne is also keen to talk with the five Tees Valley councils – Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.

Meanwhile, Stockton South MP James Wharton – making his despatch box debut as local government minister – denied the shelving of a cross-Pennine rail electrification scheme had dented plans for a Northern Powerhouse.

Facing angry criticism – four days after the shock announcement – Mr Wharton shrugged of the blow, telling MPs: “It’s not just about transport.”

A planned upgrade of the TransPennine route – from York to Manchester - was suddenly “paused”, because of rising costs and delays.

But a bullish Mr Wharton said: “This Government is investing £13bn in rail in the North. There will be more trains, newer trains and more regular journeys.

“But the Northern Powerhouse is about many things – not just transport. We are going to build it, we are going to deliver it and we are going to deliver for the economy of the North of England.”

Rob Merrick gives his view of James Wharton's maiden ministerial speech

FOR a bottom-numbing 52 minutes, the new local government minister sat on the famous green frontbench – waiting and waiting for his big moment.

The Northern Echo:

For James Wharton, the Stockton South MP, it must have been a form of torture…as the House of Commons clock ticked closer to 60 minutes and the end of the session.

It seemed so unfair. All the other local government ministers answered numerous questions, on everything from devolution, elected mayors and council cuts to home ownership, homelessness and firefighters’ pensions.

Yet the new boy – the man carrying the weighty tag of ‘Minister for Northern Powerhouse’ – was called for none. Zilch. Zero. Nada.

For 52 minutes, Mr Wharton studied his documents, laughed at his colleague’s jokes, stared scornfully at Labour MPs opposite and looked hopeful, but moved not an inch.

Then, just as it seemed his moment had passed, the 31-year-old was on his feet, to rousing cheers, and at the despatch box.

In a confident voice, he dismissed any suggestions – perish the thought – that the mere cancelling of a few flagship rail schemes was a blow to that much-vaunted Northern Powerhouse.

It was a composed debut performance, breezily reassuring MPs there would be “more trains, newer trains” and, anyway, the Powerhouse is about much more than just transport.

However, Mr Wharton over-reached himself when he insisted – to Labour laughter - that the Government is “delivering on our promises”. Not on electrification, I’m afraid.

Next time, he will be hoping the Powerhouse hasn’t just suffered a power cut – and to get a bigger slice of the action.