A CALL has been made for 'proper and genuine consultation' about the proposed devolution deal for the region.

The Chairman of TeessideTogether (CORR), an organisation determined to vanquish the term Tees Valley, has already put his name forward to stand as an elected mayor for Teesside and Darlington.

Dave Roberts says that it has been made clear by the North East Combined Authority that they will be consulting over the deal covering Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, in this area there has been no such assurance so far.

He believes that one of the crucial issues on which people must be consulted is the right identity for the area rather than seeking to continue efforts to impose the failed ‘Tees Valley’ brand.

“Of course, the fact that new money is coming to the area has to be welcomed, but it must be right that there is proper and genuine consultation over the proposals," he said.

"The Chair of the North East Combined Authority has given a clear assurance that ‘we will now be in further consultation with our partners, residents, business, trade unions and the voluntary sector so that everyone can be part of this process as we move forward’ and indeed in a television interview he made clear that would include public meetings.

“So far we do not seem to have had such an assurance from the ‘Tees Valley’ Combined Authority. Its Chair has said that ‘we will be speaking to local residents and businesses about what the proposals mean for them’.

"Simply speaking to people is very different from real consultation and I sincerely hope that here in Teesside and Darlington we will have the same rights to have our voices heard as those covered by the North East Authority."