Newsroom
02/03/2010
Focus on the Region's Future
Above: Cllr Paul Watson, Chair, Association of North East Councils; Dave Smith, Chief Executive, Sunderland City Council; Ada Burns, Vice Chair, Association of North East Councils Regional Chief Executives Group and Chief Executive, Darlington Borough Council; Jon Sopel, Presenter, BBC One Politics Show and BBC News 24.
Key figures from across the region came together today to discuss their asks of an incoming government and what the region is strongly positioned to deliver in return.
The North East Commitment Event brought together opinion formers, decision makers and stakeholders, including cross-party local authority councillors.
Organised by the Association of North East Councils, the event was hosted by Sunderland City Council at the National Glass Centre.
Discussion at the event was facilitated by Jon Sopel, presenter of the national BBC One Politics Show and BBC News 24.
Speakers included Ada Burns, Vice Chair, Association of North East Councils Regional Chief Executives Group and Chief Executive, Darlington Borough Council; Dave Smith, Chief Executive, Sunderland City Council and John Cuthbert, Chair, Northern Business Forum and Managing Director, Northumbrian Water.
They provided a public and private sector perspective on the strategic importance of the sectors working together and on the challenges and opportunities facing the region.
More than 60 delegates including council chief executives, representatives from leading businesses and public sector organisations, and regional media editors, attended the event.
Councillor Paul Watson, Chair of the Association of North East Councils, said: "The North East has a lot to offer any incoming government. This event is about raising the profile of the North East and about making sure that the region is firmly on the radar of the main political parties in the run up to the general election.
"This is a great opportunity to outline the issues affecting the future of the North East. It's also a chance to demonstrate that the region is ready to 'do business' with any incoming government.
"As a united, cohesive region with a shared policy agenda and a strong tradition of partnership working involving local authorities, business and the wider public sector we believe the North East can be a strong partner to government, which ever party wins the next general election."
Notes for editors
The Association of North East Councils is the representative body for local government in the North East. It encompasses the 12 local authorities in the North East in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and the Tees Valley, on issues of concern to them and the communities they serve.
It is a cross-party organisation, with all of its Members democratically elected and
accountable politicians.
For further information please contact Bethan Hughes, Communications Officer, on 0191 261 3917, email bethan.hughes@northeastcouncils.gov.uk
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