Linda EdworthyDirector of Strategy and Investment

Tees Valley Unlimited

The Northern Powerhouse and Devolution

The Northern Powerhouse – What is it?• Almost two thirds don't know about the Northern Powerhouse • 64% of adults in the North have never heard of it or know

nothing about it • 44% Never heard of it• 20% Heard of but know nothing about it • 30% Heard of and know a little about it • 6% Heard of and know a lot about it Source: ComRes November 2015

So what is it?

• Brainchild of Chancellor George Osbourne• Aims to bridge the economic gap between the

North and the South • By attracting investment and improving

transport links between its towns and cities

What is it doing?• Trade Missions to China - September, February…• Tech North• Transport – Transport for the North– One Agenda, One Economy, One North – Funding in Autumn Statement– Independent Economic Review:

• evidence for transport funding – 16 March budget• Northern Powerhouse Narrative

Independent Economic Review• 4 ‘prime’ capabilities:– Advanced manufacturing– Energy– Health innovation– Digital

• Supported by 3 enabling capabilities:– Financial and professional services– Logistics– education

Relevance for Tees Valley?

• Route to transport funding – TV Devo deal:– River Tees crossing– Darlington station remodelling– Improved east-west road connectivity (A1 –

Teesport)– Electrification – Northallerton - Teesport

Will it be anything more than transport and trade missions?

?

Northern Powerhouse and Devolution

• What makes sense at NP level v’s• Devolution to local – likely to increase in scope• Tees Valley vision / strategy / investment

priorities

Tees Valley Strategic Economic Plan

• Changing economic circumstances• Changing governance arrangements – Combined Authority– Devolution Deal

• Reviewing SEP – publish refreshed SEP – July 2016

• Extensive engagement with partners

Tees Valley SEP Review

What does all this mean for the VCSE in Tees Valley?• Role in Northern Powerhouse?• Role in Devolution / SEP:– Getting people back to work – BBO / ESF– Enterprise / social enterprise– Supporting communities – a great place to live,

work and play

Challenges for TV VSCE

• Scale of activities – fewer, bigger• Reduced public funding • Financial viability• Need for commercial approaches

Thank you