Northumberland councillor disappointed that no referendum will take place over North East devolution proposal

After asking the leader of the local authority about the issue at a full council meeting yesterday (Wednesday), Coun Georgina Hill said afterwards that a public vote to approve the plans should have taken place “in the interests of democracy”.

Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham are all part of the multi-billion pound agreement, after a late twist over the last few months that saw Durham jump on board with negotiations that had initially involved the other six.

The North East public will then have eight weeks to have its say on the deal in the form of a public consultation, not in a referendum.

This led Coun Hill, independent councillor for Berwick East, to ask Northumberland County Council leader Glen Sanderson the following question: “There will not be a referendum on establishing a North East Mayoral Combined Authority and a North East Mayor. Who made that decision and do you agree with it?”

Coun Sanderson said in response: “There’s nothing in the legislation, as you know, about needing to have a public referendum. Whether it is desirable or not, is a matter of opinion.

“Personally, I’m always in favour of having referendums when there is a really really important decision to make, but on this occasion neither Labour nor the Conservative national Government put forward in their manifestos to have a referendum for this. However, what we are going to do is have an enormous amount of consultation with our residents, our businesses and our voluntary sector, to make sure they understand what opportunities there are for them and for their organisations.

“That is why I’m satisfied with what we’re going to do. It is so that they have a say, and it’s not just them having a say, it’s the fact that we will listen and take their ideas forward and make sure their voice is heard.”

Responding, Coun Hill said that so-called consultation is different from having an actual vote and asked the leader: “How can you and colleagues expect to bring the public along with you on this arrangement when you have not held a referendum or even put this to a vote of the full council, of 67 councillors representing wards across the county?”

She also asked whether Coun Sanderson would “row away from this arrangement” if it became clear during consultation that residents of Northumberland were not supportive of it.

The leader said he was confident that when residents of Northumberland understood the benefits of devolution, they would be happy with it.

Speaking to all members, he added: “Once you’re fully briefed, I think you will agree that this is the right option for our residents, for the county and for the North East.”

After the meeting, Coun Hill said: “When there is a proposed devolution of powers, there absolutely needs to be a referendum in the interests of democracy.

“The arrogance of North East council leaders riding roughshod over public opinion will only fuel public cynicism.”