Combined Authority’s New Cabinet Meets For The First Time

The Tees Valley Combined Authority’s new Cabinet members have officially come together for the first time at the organisation’s AGM and Cabinet meeting today (30 June).

The new make-up of the Cabinet reflects the outcome of recent local council elections which took place on 6 May 2023, with the membership a mixture of new faces and returning representatives.

Chaired by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, the Cabinet is comprised of the five leaders of its constituent local authorities – Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees – alongside Siobhan McArdle as a non-voting member in her capacity as Chair of the Tees Valley Business Board.

New members for 2023 include Hartlepool leader Cllr Mike Young, Redcar & Cleveland leader Cllr Alec Brown and Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke.

Mayor Cooke was also approved as the newest member of the Middlesbrough Development Corporation Board during the meeting, with Cllr Young also joining the Hartlepool Development Corporation Board.

Darlington leader Cllr Stephen Harker, who previously sat on the TVCA Cabinet in 2018-2019 has returned, alongside Cllr Bob Cook, Stockton’s leader, who has been a member since the Combined Authority’s creation in 2016.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “With our new Cabinet now in place, we can start working together to deliver for the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“Our airport is seeing another bumper summer schedule, with passenger numbers continuing to increase. All major structures on Teesworks are now down, with hundreds of acres already remediated or in the process of getting cleaned up for multibillion pounds of investment. We’re also continuing to support our local businesses, secure inward investment and strengthening our region’s events and festivals calendar to boost our visitor numbers.

“But we’ve still got lots to do to get local people into the roles we’re creating, as well as driving forward our transport links to give them the network they deserve. I look forward to getting down to business with our members and the all-new Business Board too.” 

At the meeting, Cabinet also approved more than £33million of funding allocations as part of its Adult Education Budget and free courses for jobs scheme to give adults qualifications equivalent to Level 3, including A Levels, access to a higher education diploma or advanced apprenticeship.

The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority have had control over the devolved Adult Education Budget since 2018, allowing it to be targeted to best meet the needs of the region. It works to better connect training courses to business demand to help fill skills gaps, driving business growth and helping our residents fill the roles of today and tomorrow.