This week in North East Mayoral Combined Authority:

Cost of Living Crisis Remains Top Priority as Cabinet Pushes for Government Action

The North East Mayoral Combined Authority's Cabinet met on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, with a clear focus on addressing the ongoing cost of living crisis and its disproportionate impact on the region. Mayor Kim McGuinness presided over the meeting, which saw a significant reshuffling of Cabinet members and portfolios.

The Cabinet agreed to prioritise lobbying the UK Government for continued funding for the national bus fare cap and to accelerate the delivery of the Warm Homes Plan. These initiatives are seen as crucial for alleviating the financial pressures faced by residents, particularly those in the North East who are already struggling with deprivation and lower car ownership.

The report highlighted that the region's vulnerability is exacerbated by rising energy costs, partly due to global conflicts. Hard-up households in the North East are less likely to have savings and spend a higher proportion of their income on essentials like food and heating, forcing difficult choices. The existing high rate of child poverty in the region further compounds these challenges.

While acknowledging the success of initiatives like the Mayor's Fares scheme, which has saved residents an estimated £70 million, and the Warm Homes Plan supporting over a thousand households, the Cabinet stressed that demand is expected to soar as winter approaches. They are advocating for:

• Continued Government Funding for the National Bus Fare Cap: This is vital to maintain the current £2.50 adult and £1 under-22s cap on bus journeys, preventing a significant increase in travel costs for families.
• Devolution of a Radical Retrofit Scheme: This would empower the region to implement large-scale energy efficiency improvements in homes, directly reducing energy bills and tackling fuel poverty.

The Cabinet also discussed the need for more devolved powers and investment from the national government to effectively address these issues locally. The devolution of 16-19 skills funding was specifically mentioned as a way to intervene early and prevent young people from becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).

The meeting underscored the commitment to working collaboratively across the region and with the government to find solutions and ensure that funds are spent effectively for the benefit of the people of the North East.

You can find more details in the Cabinet meeting agenda.

New Cabinet Members Appointed and Key Roles Confirmed

The Cabinet meeting also saw the formal appointment of new Cabinet members and the confirmation of key roles for the upcoming municipal year. Mayor Kim McGuinness welcomed the new team, emphasizing the need to set aside political differences and focus on delivering for the region.

Councillor Karen Clark was appointed as Deputy Mayor and will also lead the Finance and Investment portfolio. Other portfolio allocations include:

• Transport: Councillor Colin Ferguson (Labour)
• Home of Real Opportunity (Skills, Child Poverty): Councillor Chris Eynon (Labour)
• North East, We're Proud to Call Home (Social/Affordable Homes, Cultural Investment): Councillor Nick Allen (Labour)
• Home to a Growing and Vibrant Economy (Local Growth Plan, Business Support): Councillor Glen Sanderson (Conservative)
• Home of the Green Energy Revolution (Offshore Investment, EV Industry Support): Councillor Paul Mackings (Reform UK)
• Welcome Home to Global Trade (Inward Investment, Global Business Engagement): Councillor Andrew Husband (Reform UK)

The Cabinet also agreed to extend the appointments of Dave Willis OBE as independent chair of the Audit and Standards Committee and the independent person for the standards regime. Further appointments were made to Transport for the North's Board, and a recruitment exercise will be undertaken for new members of the Business Advisory Council.

The report on these appointments can be found in the Cabinet meeting agenda.

Annual Performance Report Highlights Successes and Future Ambitions

The Cabinet reviewed the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority's Annual Performance Report for 2025/26, showcasing significant achievements across the region. Key highlights include:

• Creation of approximately 1,900 new jobs and safeguarding of 600 jobs.
• Support for over 3,000 households with the cost of living and child poverty initiatives.
• £70 million saved by the public through the Mayor's Fares initiative, covering over 100 million bus journeys.
• Launch of a Northern Music Export Office and a small venues fund to support the region's creative talent.
• First-ever fare reduction on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

The report, structured around the MSA's five core missions, demonstrates strong collaboration across local authorities and sectors. While celebrating these successes, the Cabinet acknowledged that there is still much to do, with ongoing projects like the Crown Works film studios and the delivery of the Gateshead Quays arena being crucial for future economic growth and job creation.

The full Annual Performance Report is available in the Cabinet meeting agenda.

Other Matters

• Scrutiny and Audit Reports: The Cabinet noted the annual reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Audit and Standards Committee. These reports highlighted the committees' work in scrutinising decisions, reviewing financial affairs, and ensuring good governance. The Audit and Standards Committee Chair, Dave Willis, emphasized the importance of member attendance and encouraged participation in their upcoming skills survey.
• Governance Update: The Cabinet approved recommendations for allowances to be paid to members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Audit and Standards Committee, aiming to improve attendance and engagement.
• Risk Management Framework: The Cabinet reviewed and approved updates to the MSA's Risk Management Framework, including a clearer risk scoring scale, a standardised taxonomy of risk categories, and a risk appetite scale. This aims to improve the identification, assessment, and management of risks, enabling more informed decision-making.
• Strategic Risk Review: The Cabinet reviewed the MSA's strategic risks, noting updates to the organisational capacity and sustainability risk, and refining the focus of the delivery of integrated settlement and securing powers and funding risks.

You can find more information on these items in the Cabinet meeting agenda.