NORTH Tyneside’s elected mayor will lead the new combined authority for the North-East.
Norma Redfearn CBE was appointed as the interim mayor for the North of Tyne Combined Authority by cabinet members at this week’s meeting.
She will be the figurehead of the authority until May 2019 when the people of Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside will elect its first mayor.
The appointment was made following a recommendation from the authority’s appointment panel.
Mrs Redfearn said: “This is an exciting time for anyone living and working in the North of Tyne area. As a long time advocate for devolution, I feel we now have the tools we need to shape our own destiny, capitalise on our economic strengths and build an economy that delivers for everyone and leaves no community behind.
She continued: “I am proud to be asked to oversee the authority during this interim period as we work to lay the foundations for a bright new future.”
At the North of Tyne meeting, cabinet members revealed they were seeking £12m from the government to roll out ultrafast broadband across the area.
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