PLANS for Tees Valley devolution has been comprehensively endorsed by Middlesbrough Council.

Members voted 34-4 in favour of moving forward with the proposal with one abstention at a full council meeting to discuss the Government's project to devolve powers from Whitehall.

Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd said he believes the deal fits with the “economic aspirations” of the region.

Mr Budd, along with leaders from Stockton, Redcar & Cleveland, Hartlepool and Darlington, signed the deal with Chancellor George Osborne in October, subject to the agreement of the five councils.

Mr Budd said: “The deal fits with economic aspirations we have already for what is effectively an economic area – the Tees Valley.

“It gives us powers over a whole range of things from investment through European funding, planning and housing, transport projects, education, skills and culture and others as well.

“This isn’t the final version, there are a lot more stages to go through but this is the outline. Despite any natural reservations this is something we all felt convinced was an opportunity for our part of the world.”

Last week members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council voted in favour of accepting the proposal after an amendment calling for a referendum was narrowly defeated.