Transport approval delays leave region facing £35m loss

Mar 3 2010 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

North East puts its values on the table

A WISH list of investment in the North East will be handed to No 10 on the first day of a new administration.

The document will include up to half a dozen areas in which the Government must either avoid excessive cuts or lend more support to the region in order to build on the impressive economic growth in the North East.

Council chiefs are to meet with business groups to set out the final document ready to be presented to whichever party forms the next Government.

With cuts worth millions of pounds set be carried out by whoever wins the general election, council leaders are keen to set out the no-go areas for civil servants.

The Association of North East Councils brought together business leaders and councillors in Sunderland yesterday to lay the groundwork for the document, which will build on the region’s status as the only one to enjoy a positive trade balance. Government departments will be told investment in renewable energy projects such as those on the North Bank of the Tyne, or the New and Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth must not be threatened.

Continued support must be made available for the electric vehicle industry and Nissan’s hopes of bring electric car production to Wearside.

The document landing on the next Prime Minister’s desk will include a warning that any cut to transport cash in the North East could have disastrous consequences. Paul Watson, head of both Sunderland Council and the Association, said this was a “statement of intent” rather than a “begging bowl”.

“It is common knowledge there are going to be cuts,” he said.

“What we are doing here is setting out maybe half a dozen areas in which we want the next Government to empower us in.

“We want to put together a case for the region in those areas where we have demonstrated we can deliver.”

His association’s wishlist comes as The Journal continues to put together the Case for the North East.

The campaign has highlighted to national decision makers the increasing contribution the region makes to the prosperity of the United Kingdom and the need to see off threats to the North East’s strong regional identity.

David Smith, chief executive at Sunderland Council, said the suggestions made at the National Glass Centre would be put together and business contributions sought before the final version is sent to Downing Street.

He added: “Out aim is that, on day one, whichever party forms the next Government, they will know what they have to do to help the region’s prosperity grow.”

Newcastle Council leader John Shipley said it was vital the region was united in “clear aims” before the next Government started planning its cuts.

“It is crucial that in areas such as renewable energy or the low carbon sector the next Government does not reduce support.

“We might need some funding to help generate more private sector investment, but overall this is about what we can bring to the UK and not a cap in hand document.

“And vital to keeping that offering going is the region taking the chance to say to Government from the outset that capital infrastructure investment is of paramount importance.”

Overall this is about what we can bring to the United Kingdom. It’s not a cap in hand document