Tees Valley Mayor

Tees Valley Mayor
Name	Tees Valley Mayor
Incumbent	Ben Houchen
Incumbentsince	8 May 2017
Style	Mayor
Appointer	Electorate of Tees Valley
Formation	2017
Inaugural	Ben Houchen

Tees Valley Mayor

The Tees Valley Mayor is the directly elected executive head of the combined authority covering the Tees Valley area in North East England, responsible for regional development, infrastructure, and strategic investment. The post interacts with national institutions such as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and regional stakeholders including Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Middlesbrough Borough Council, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Hartlepool Borough Council, and Darlington Borough Council. The office sits within the framework created by the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 and relates to devolved arrangements explored in contexts like Greater Manchester Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority.

Overview

The Tees Valley mayor leads the Tees Valley Combined Authority and is charged with administering a devolved investment fund agreed with the UK Treasury, coordinating with bodies such as the Local Government Association, Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership, and infrastructure agencies including Network Rail and National Highways. The office engages with economic actors like PD Ports, Sembcorp Industries, Wilton International, and institutions such as Durham University and Teesside University to stimulate regeneration in areas impacted by events like the decline of heavy industry in the Teesside Steel Industry and changes following the 1974 local government reorganization in England and Wales. It also liaises with representatives across parties including Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), and regional independents.

History of the Office

The mayoralty was established following devolution negotiations led by figures in the Conservative Party (UK) government and local leaders, framed by precedents such as the creation of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the elected mayoralties in London and Merseyside. The first election occurred amid broader debates involving the City of Culture 2025 bid, the closure of facilities like Redcar Steelworks, and commitments tied to the Northern Powerhouse agenda. Early officeholders navigated relationships with ministers including the Chancellor of the Exchequer and parliamentary representatives from constituencies such as Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Stockton South, and Hartlepool (UK Parliament constituency).

Powers and Responsibilities

Statutory powers derive from agreements under the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 and devolution deals negotiated with the UK Government. The mayor controls a multi-year investment fund and strategic transport planning with partners including Durham County Council where relevant, coordinates skills and employment initiatives with institutions such as National Health Service (England), Skills Funding Agency, and enterprise bodies like the Federation of Small Businesses. Responsibilities encompass major project approvals affecting sites such as Teesworks, Seal Sands, and port infrastructure linked to Port of Middlesbrough and Teesport, requiring collaboration with private investors like British Steel and Stelco-related entities.

Elections and Voting

Elections follow rules set out in UK electoral law and have been contested under systems applied to mayoral races nationwide, with candidates nominated by parties including Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), Liberal Democrats (UK), and independents. Campaigns reference national figures like the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and party leaders such as Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, and interact with issues shaped by legislation like the Localism Act 2011. Voting patterns reflect constituency-level dynamics in seats such as Darlington (UK Parliament constituency), Stockton North, and Hartlepool (UK Parliament constituency), with turnout comparisons to national contests like United Kingdom general election, 2017 and United Kingdom local elections.

List of Mayors

- Ben Houchen (Conservative), inaugural mayor, elected 2017, re-elected 2021. His tenure has involved dealings with organisations including PD Ports, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, and national ministers such as the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Policies and Initiatives

Key initiatives include the development of the Teesworks site, port expansion at Teesport, industrial decarbonisation projects with firms like Sembcorp Industries and proposals for hydrogen production linked to projects referenced by UK Research and Innovation. The mayor's agenda has promoted investment zones and enterprise support coordinated with bodies such as the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership and programmes similar to the Greater Manchester Local Industrial Strategy. Projects intersect with environmental considerations overseen by agencies like the Environment Agency and regional planning authorities, and with education and skills provision via partnerships with Teesside University and further education colleges.

Criticism and Controversies

Controversies have involved procurement and grant allocations related to high-profile projects such as redevelopment at Teesworks and funding linked to industrial sites like Redcar Steelworks, prompting scrutiny from national media outlets comparable to BBC News and The Guardian (UK newspaper). Questions have arisen over transparency, local authority relationships including with Middlesbrough Borough Council and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, and the balance between private investment from firms like PD Ports and public accountability mechanisms such as the National Audit Office. Debates echo wider issues seen in other devolved regions involving figures like the Mayor of London and inquiries connected to public investment oversight.

Category:Local government in North East England Category:Mayors of places in England