A DEVOLUTION deal worth £450m has been signed by five North-East authorities in a bid to shift decision making powers from the Government to the North-East.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) was launched in April to stimulate economic growth across the Tees Valley through regeneration and improved transport links.

Darlington Borough Council, Hartlepool Borough Council, Middlesbrough Council, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council have since agreed to a deal which will secure £15m worth of funding annually until 2046.

The first multi-million pound instalment was received in September, with leaders from the five Tees Valley authorities set to meet on Friday to agree to a Government Order drafted by the Communities and Local Government Secretary.

Darlington Borough Council are set to discuss a Government stipulation of the TVCA that a Tees Valley Mayor and deputy must be elected in May.

A Darlington council report published ahead of a full council meeting in the Town Hall tomorrow night states: “Whilst Government insists that a Mayor is required as part of our deal, we have maintained a clear position that the establishment of the Mayor would be accompanied by checks and balances to embed a Mayoral [and] Cabinet model, with strong scrutiny arrangements, building on our track record of collaboration.

“In July 2016, the Tees Valley Combined Authority – Election of Mayor – Order was laid before Parliament.

“This Order requires elections for a Mayor for the Tees Valley Combined Authority are to take place on May 4, 2017.

“The initial term is to be for three years, to be followed by four-year terms after that.”

Sajid Javid MP will lay a draft of the constitution portion of the TVCA Order 2016 before Parliament on Monday, November 28, with the Order officially coming into force in early 2017.