The North East Combined Authority was formed on 7th
May 2024. It is led by an elected Mayor and Cabinet and covers the seven local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
The region shares a strong identity based on a common history linked to the region’s industrial and mining heritage. There are a number of significant growth sectors including automotive and advanced manufacturing, offshore and renewable energy, and life sciences, with four outstanding universities.
But despite these opportunities, industrial decline over several decades has resulted in a productivity gap with England, excluding London. Key challenges are a high unemployment and economic inactivity rate, low pay, high levels of child poverty, and high health inequalities.
The Combined Authority’s purpose is to champion the full potential of the region, creating a better way of life by connecting communities, giving people the skills to succeed, and improving wellbeing for all. The new Combined Authority will build on the North of Tyne’s collaborative approach towards solving the problems facing communities.
The North of Tyne Combined Authority - IGN member 2020-24.
Mayor's Opportunity Fund
The Fund will invest £1m over two years in a new community grants programme. The first phase of grants will aim to increase community cohesion in some of the North East’s most deprived neighbourhoods.
Child Poverty Reduction Unit
The Combined Authority is the first to establish a Child Poverty Reduction Unit. This will deliver better outcomes for children and families by harnessing the powers and resources from devolution. The Combined Authority will ensure that all investments impact child poverty, design Sure Start-style children’s services and develop a Mayoral Childcare Grant.
Investing in social capital to support economic growth
The Combined Authority is exploring the potential to develop a Social Capital Strategy. This will build on the former North of Tyne Combined Authority’s investment of almost £6m directly into communities for projects which seek to build stronger, more inclusive communities, where people can be active participants, working together to tackle challenges and make decisions that shape where they live.