A COUNCILLOR has labelled the North-East Combined Authority (Neca) a "Labour Party quango".

Outspoken Durham County Councillor John Shuttleworth has written a letter to Chancellor George Osborne to express outrage at what he sees as just another gravy train.

Cllr Shuttleworth criticised the pay package of Neca’s interim chief executive Adam Wilkinson which was recently revealed to be £1,000 a day.

Mr Wilkinson, who is only employed on a part-time three day a week basis, will remain in post until a permanent chief executive can be found for the combined authority which consists of Durham County Council and six other North-East councils.

Neca was set up in order to secure a devolution deal from the Government which is offering the regions the chance to take control of their affairs.

In his letter to Mr Osborne County Coun Shuttleworth called for a meeting to address his concerns and said: “This Labour quango has no mandate to make decisions.

“If it was given powers the only winners would be the fat cats and cronies. Poor old Joe Public would be left helpless paying for that he didn’t want in the first place.”

Last month the leader of Durham County Council, Simon Henig said Mr Wilkinson was helping to bolster capacity at a senior level and push the case for the North-East.

He said: “This is particularly important at this time when we need to be able to respond to opportunities, including those which are part of potential devolution arrangements.”