North East council bosses are "weeks away" from agreeing a region-wide devolution deal that would see seven local authorities united under one banner.
ChronicleLive understands that the chief executives of the region's local authorities have been meeting with Government officials this last week to discuss proposals for a combined authority.
Previous talks over such a move broke down in 2016 after a split in the region’s Labour-dominated establishment, after which Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Northumberland broke away to form their own North of Tyne Combined Authority.
Read more: How North East devolution split on the shores of the Tyne
Jamie Driscoll was elected as Labour mayor of the North of Tyne in 2019, while the four south of Tyne councils were left to continue in the North East Combined Authority (NECA) – which does not have a mayor or powers devolved by the government.
Now there is said to be a renewed ambition for the plan, with only Durham - which has explored the possibility of a so-called 'county deal' - yet to be fully convinced.
Mr Driscoll, who has been leading the charge for a wider deal covering the entire North East, has previously said the move could unlock £500m of funding for desperately-needed transport upgrades, as well as handing the region other major powers and resources.
A source told ChronicleLive: "We're just a couple of weeks away from having agreement between the region's leaders, there's just a few more things to iron out."
If local authority bosses agree privately to the deal, it would then be put to a full council vote in each area.
Following sign-off from the region, it would then be for officials and ministers in Government to formalise the plan.
A North of Tyne Combined Authority spokesman confirmed discussions with Government had taken place, specifically on the "levelling up agenda" - which includes a pledge to devolve more power.
The spokesman said: “We have collectively set out our expectations for Government to match our ambition to make a difference for our residents, communities and economy and where each Local Authority, Combined Authority and all stakeholders can see clear benefit for their place.
“We are seeking commitments from Government which contribute to the recovery of the region following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We expect discussions will continue to take place and, at this stage, nothing has been agreed.”
