Local democratic legitimacy born from a united front to the North East’s challenges

As the transition to the new North East Combined Authority (NECA) draws close, the increase in devolved responsibility requires a fresh look at governance mechanisms to ensure these are fit for the future and, as ever, a focus on unity so we achieve the best outcomes for the region. By Andrew Hodgson, former Chair of the North East LEP.

Learnings from the last twelve years at the LEP can help inform the future. A useful question to ask is how, despite some initial scepticism towards the North East LEP, we were able to achieve a significant level of local democratic legitimacy.
The answer lies in unity and collaboration.

In the early days of the LEP board, there was, at times, some heavy-duty challenge and debate from some strong personalities. Regardless of this, the decision-making always took us to the right place with the right outcomes in mind.

For everyone involved, the true measure of success was whether we were building a better platform for the future. This principle has existed in the North East LEP from day one and will hopefully continue into the next phase with NECA.

Throughout my time as chair, the rule was that every decision had to be unanimous, which required strategic thinking, partnership, negotiation and compromise.

This worked well – by considering what would benefit the region most, we transcended parochialism because we knew investment wasn’t a zero-sum game.

A good example of this was the decision to award £41,150,000 of Local Growth Fund money to the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP). Due to IAMP’s location, this funding went to just two of the seven local authorities within our geographical patch, which was politically sensitive.

Regardless, this motion was passed unanimously because we knew that by funding the right projects at the right time and in the right places, the whole of the North East would ultimately benefit.

Being seen as a standout region in doing our best for the next generation is an example of what can be done when politicians, business and the public sector work together in a collaborative way to a common goal.

This approach enabled us to build our influence as a regional voice in Whitehall. Whatever the message to be delivered, I was always clear that I was speaking with a unified voice on behalf of our political leaders and the business community, including all the membership bodies, with the wider community behind us.

I should highlight one area in which the North East is truly blessed. Beyond the façade of economic and political leadership, there are teams of executives working hard to shape and deliver our regional outcomes.

The quality and dedication of our executive teams is among the best I have seen globally, and we must leverage the accumulated knowledge that they have to build better solutions for the future.

Our region’s executives are not always given the platform they deserve, given the size and profile of other regions, but more than make up for it with their quality and clarity of performance.

The North East LEP has never been short of challenge, but equally it has never been short of support from the authorities, the business community and beyond.

As we look to the next phase of economic and social development, I hope NECA can stay brave and take big decisions that create the best chance of really making a difference and that people continue to unite behind it. And as always, the whole region is here to support and collaborate to do just that.