Calls have been made for a ‘Council of the North’ to be formed, bringing together six combined authorities, three county councils and 10 unitary authorities across northern England to champion growth initiatives including a new transport strategy.

 

Think tank IPPR North says that the new Council would allow the region to speak with one voice and have more powers to invest in schemes such as High Speed 3.

 

It is proposed that the Council would meet at least four times a year and the new arrangement be overseen by a Northern Citizens Assembly made up of members of the public. 

 

Report author Ed Cox said: “As we leave the EU, city and county leaders will find themselves as very small fish in a big global pond if they opt to go it alone. But working together, the North’s £300Bn economy carries real clout.

 

“Informal working together under the Northern Powerhouse brand has been welcome – but clear evidence shows this is no substitute for proper government and the huge progress made in the capital and Scotland since devolution.

 

“A Council of the North would help boost growth and lead to better public services, while northerners – and not politicians – could find their voice through a Northern Citizens Assembly.”

 

Elsewhere this week Transport for the North welcomed the support of Transport Secretary Chris Grayling for plans that the region becomes England's first sub-national transport body by the end of the year.

 

Transport for the North chair John Cridland said: “There is a clear desire from across the country to see the north get the kind of infrastructure needed to deliver transformational economic growth that would improve the lives of all who live and work in the region.”

 

Chris Grayling is reported to have said that the North’s new status “will help the region to speak with one voice on its transport priorities”.

 

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