Tees Valley Combined Authority led by Ben Houchen 'must improve'
A combined authority has been told it must improve following concerns about governance and value for money.The Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), chaired by elected Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen, has been issued with a Best Value Notice.It means it will have to work with the government to make sure public money is being used appropriately.Houchen - a Tory peer - said: "I've always said I'll put politics to one side and work constructively with the government and the prime minister to secure jobs, investment and opportunity for our region."
The TVCA is a partnership of five local councils: Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said its "concerns relate primarily to governance, culture, partnerships and continuous improvement".The notice follows the Tees Valley Review report, which in January 2024 highlighted serious governance issues and made 26 recommendations.
Teesworks investigation
The notice said that a "clear, overarching and holistic improvement plan" needed to be agreed by officers and members of the authority within three months.MHCLG noted the combined authority was "already taking steps to address the concerns raised".Local Government Minister Jim McMahon told the House of Commons: "The people of Tees Valley must have confidence that every penny of their money is being spent appropriately and today's announcement is about ensuring that is the case."The mayor is also chairman of the South Tees Development Corporation, which is a public-private body overseeing the huge Teesworks redevelopment project at the former British Steel plant near Redcar.There have been calls over recent years for an investigation from public spending watchdog the National Audit Office into the project.Houchen said: "I'm pleased the government has recognised the real progress we've made - and confirmed there is no need for a National Audit Office investigation."That's the right call, and it reflects the work we've done to improve governance while continuing to deliver for local people."
Additional reporting by PA Media and Stuart Arnold, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
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