Mayor to 'respect new guidance' on chairing of MDCs

BEN Houchen has said that he will “respect the new guidance” released by the Government on chairing Mayoral Development Corporations (MDCs)

- By DANIEL HODGSON

On Wednesday, the six Tees Valley Labour MPs called on him to stop chairing the three MDCs in the region, which include the South Tees Development Corporation, the Middlesbrough Development Corporation and the Hartlepool Development Corporation. Mayor Houchen has said that the boards will be updated at the AGM in June, as per the constitution, adding that the Labour MPs’ letter was “behind the times”.

It was previously reported that the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) would “reflect carefully” on the new guidance from the Government, which was published on April 3, while background information said that going forward, the separation of governance and delivery functions would be “fully respected”.

The letter to Mayor Houchen, dated April 9 and signed by six Labour MPs - Andy McDonald MP, Luke Myer MP, Anna Turley MP, Chris McDonald MP, Jonathan Brash MP and Lola McEvoy MP - says it is necessary for the mayor to stop being chair of the MDCs in order to improve governance at TVCA and its various boards following the recent issuing of a Best Value Notice.