City council leader joins calls for devolution and council funding reforms

Cllr Nick Kemp, who is also a member of the combined authority's cabinet, echoed comments from North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, who asked for more devolution to her region in a meeting with the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Local Government, Angela Rayner, at Downing Street earlier this month.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Cllr Kemp also called for a "more sustainable and long-term" plan for local government funding and reform to a system that he described as "fundamentally broken".

He wrote: "Newcastle has suffered more than most following 14 years of austerity and we continue to experience some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country.

"Too many of our children are growing up in abject poverty and we need radical change."

He added: "I am proud to serve in the Cabinet of the new North East Combined Authority and to lead on development of our region's industrial strategy. We are committed to supporting Mayor Kim McGuinness and her ambitions to work with your new Government to deliver further devolution."

"The impact of North East devolution is clear to see. The new Crown Works studio in Sunderland will drive growth across the region, her plans to bring public transport back into public control will see investment in our key infrastructure and her commitment to deliver thousands of new homes will support the ambitions we have as a city."

He later called for the Government to consider a more sustainable and long-term approach to local government funding, warning that front-line services are at "breaking point" and "councils, of all political colours, are facing an existential financial crisis across the country".

He said Newcastle does not face financial trouble but that the system is "fundamentally broken".

Cllr Kemp's letter comes as the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned that councils are facing a £6bn funding gap over the next two years.

In a statement on Monday, the LGA's Chair of the Local Government Association's Economy and Resources Board, Cllr Pete Marland, also called for funding and devolution changes.

He said: "Councils hold the key to unleashing the full potential of local communities, tackling our national challenges, relieving pressure on the Exchequer and helping the Government achieve its ambitions.

"This can only happen if councils have the right powers, sufficient and sustainable funding that reflects current and future demand, certainty and multi-year settlements and less bid-based funding pots. Right now, councils are being pushed to the brink with rising adult social care costs, children's placements and temporary accommodation.

Adam Carey