The North East Combined Authority

Bus news! 🚌 North East Mayor Kim McGuinness is set to approve £101.2m worth of improvements for buses, while also pressing ahead with plans to take back control of buses. The Mayor has vowed to improve public transport across the North East and wants to bring buses back into public control, so the region can set its own routes and fares, and drastically improve reliability to restore trust in public transport. Immediately after being elected, the Mayor asked for options to be looked at for bus reform – a key manifesto priority. This set the wheels in motion to look at how the region’s bus network could operate in the future. Options for bus reform will be discussed at North East CA Cabinet in July and a report will recommend that the Mayor and Cabinet progress with the next step of the formal process – preparing a Franchising Scheme Assessment. Read more at https://orlo.uk/Msi3L #Transport

“I want to make the North East the home of real opportunity – and that starts with our young people.” North East Mayor Kim McGuinness. We’re proud to be supporting schools to take part in the #StartSmallDreamBig national pilot to raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes and help children connect their learning to the world around them. Schools are supported to make links with local employers to create opportunities for children to encounter the world of work. These encounters help children to develop an understanding of the link between what they learn in school and the range of careers available to them – broadening their horizons and helping them to dream big. 

🏡 "We know families have been impacted by rising energy prices. We will do everything within our gift to support those who need it." Dame Norma Redfearn DBE our Cabinet Member for Housing and Land on our new advice service with Energy Saving Trust to help people reduce their energy bills. Home Energy Advice North East brings together expert advice and links to local grants and installers to provide a one stop shop for those looking to reduce their energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Across the North East, Energy Saving Trust’s partners at Groundwork North East & Cumbria and Community Action Northumberland are engaging directly with residents at community events and in home visits, providing impartial personalised advice on the options around energy saving home improvements. They are also offering free, no-obligation home assessments and support from a qualified Retrofit Coordinator plus, where eligible, access to schemes which install energy efficiency measures. The service will work with local installers, delivery partners and charities to identify households who need support, such as those in rural or off-gas homes, and ensure a joined-up approach. Read more about how we're helping people to cut costs on bills at https://orlo.uk/fVjRN

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has her sights set on delivering a new economic and social era for the whole region. Here, she tells North East Times about her blueprint: https://orlo.uk/XmCf9 #NorthEast

We seek to put culture, creativity, the visitor economy, leisure and sport at the heart of our regional economy. What should be the priority for Durham County Council Leader Cllr Amanda Hopgood as our Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative, Tourism, and Sport? Watch ⏩

Great to see another worthy initiative coming from the Enhanced Partnership - best of luck to the Northstar team.

🔊“This is an ambitious King's Speech that speaks to the needs of the North East.“ Read North East Mayor Kim McGuinness' reaction to today's King's Speech 👇 “This is an ambitious King's Speech that speaks to the needs of the North East and sets out a plan for handing us more control of our own future - the biggest change we have seen in generations. “That work to take power out of London and back to the North East starts now, and I'll always push Government to go even further and be even more ambitious. But with measures such as the English Devolution Bill and the Council of Regions and Nations we see a Government dedicated to the reforms we need to grow our North East and create the real opportunity we want to see. “With buses and railways coming back under public control we'll see a real change in how transport works in this country, with new house building powers we can usher in a new era of social and affordable green housing, and with Great British Energy we can turbocharge our offshore energy sector and create thousands of jobs for people in this region. “When I was elected mayor I set out to end child poverty. With measures such as breakfast clubs and the investment in new teachers here we see the path to a better life for thousands of children, particularly when coupled with the solid commitment to taking direct action in our region."

“Our iconic tree can never be replaced but this beautiful artwork allows its memory to live on,” North East Mayor Kim McGuinness Heart stopping beauty of Sycamore Gap bought to life in exhibition. The fallen tree, which towered 50-foot above Hadrian’s Wall before it was felled last September, was removed from site and has been looked after by the National Trust in a safe location while the charity works with its various partners and artists to ensure there is an enduring legacy of the tree informed by the huge public response to its loss. The National Trust approached printmaker Shona Branigan, known for her detailed and evocative tree prints, to create the commemorative artworks that will be exhibited at four locations along the span of Hadrian’s Wall. Five prints are on display at four locations: Newcastle City Library, Hexham Abbey – which will host two prints, Housesteads visitor centre on Hadrian’s Wall and Carlisle Tourist Information Centre. All venues are publicly accessible and free to enter. The exhibition will run until 1 September 2024 before all five prints will go on display together at The Queen’s Hall, Hexham, from 6 September until 19 October 2024. Read more at https://orlo.uk/dIebh National Trust Kim McGuinness Hexham Abbey English Heritage Newcastle City Council Cumberland Council Shona Branigan Queen's Hall Arts, Hexham #SycamoreGap

"Kids will be able to travel for free with adults right across our transport network on every bus, on the metro and on the ferry. "This is great news. "It's just part of our plans to improve our transport network right across our region," North East Mayor Kim McGuinness announces Kids Go Free on public transport! Watch ⏩ Tyne & Wear Metro Arriva North East Go North East Stagecoach North East #NorthEast #Transport

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has brought together public transport operators to launch a region-wide Kids Go Free offer during school holidays – a move which will help to significantly reduce travel costs for families during the holidays. Bus operators across the North East (Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham) will now offer free travel for up to three children aged 11 and under, when travelling with an adult with a valid ticket or concessionary pass holder during school holidays over the next year. Read more on this development here: https://orlo.uk/2qoXs Tyne & Wear Metro Arriva North East Go North East Stagecoach North East