THE Northern Echo is joining forces with newspapers from across the region to urge the Government to hand over the funding and powers needed to drive the North-East economy forwards. Joe Willis reports

THE North-East has today come together to send a clear message to George Osborne that - with the right support - the region is geared up to grow.

NEvolution aims to make the case for the Chancellor to use his spending review later this month to devolve powers and redirect funding to the region.

The campaign, which has been created by the region's newspaper editors, is described by the Association of North East Councils (ANEC) as a “positive and proactive initiative that makes a strong case for the economies of this area of the country”.

It is hoped the campaign will shape announcements in the spending review on June 26 and lead to local authorities and local enterprise partnerships being given the money and power to have a greater influence on the economy.

Paul Watson, chair of ANEC, said that the decision by North-East councils to get behind the NEvolution campaign was testament to the importance they attach to the opportunity presented by the spending review.

He said: “The campaign is a unique and ground-breaking approach that celebrates the great things we have achieved across the whole of the North-East, and makes the case for this area of the country to the Government.

“We are a capable, constructive collection of people in this part of the world.

“We know our strengths, we know the areas in which we need extra support, and, with the help of Government, we believe that we can make things even better, and grow our economies and the UK economy.”

Mr Watson said that given the powers and financial wherewithal, the region could make itself even more prosperous.

He added: “This is the spirit of NEvolution - a collaborative, positive and progressive campaign that calls for support to allow us to realise the huge potential that exists here.”

NEvolution seeks to showcase to Westminster the benefits of acting on the Heseltine Report - No Stone Unturned, which was published in October 2012.

The report looked at Government policy affecting economic growth and made a series of recommendations challenging politicians, civil servants, business leaders and individuals to make changes that would generate economic growth.

A key part of Heseltine’s report was a recommendation to direct power to local areas and leaders, as those best placed to understand and to address the opportunities and obstacles to growth in their own communities.

The report called for the decentralisation of economic power, as well as packages of investment that allow local economic areas to really demonstrate a track record of delivery.

As well as power and funding, NEvolution calls for support from the Government to drive the development of the skills, improvements to transport and connectivity, and improved access to funding for growth, including European funds.

In a report recently published by ANEC, councils in the region highlighted the role that they and the local economic partnerships can play in growing their economies. The report stated: “Local government has enormous potential to help Government re-balance the economy, to foster growth, promote inward investment, increase overseas exports and help reduce the deficit. We are fundamentally part of the solution.”

Coun Watson added: “The Government has demonstrated that it accepts in full or in part 81 of Lord Heseltine’s 89 recommendations, and we believe that now is the time to make real change, back the North-East and let us take control of our own destinies.”

The campaign has the backing of business and union leaders, as well as the region's MPs.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said the North-East had the best regional press in the country.

She added: “The Northern Echo is part of the community, and has a long proud history of campaigning.

“It is a huge credit to our region's papers that they have put competition aside to speak up for the North-East.”

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson said the region's newspapers should be congratulated for the campaign.

“I know from personal experience the brilliant part The Northern Echo played in ensuring the Government made the right decision to allow the go ahead for the Hitachi train building factory in my constituency.”

Neil Foster, policy a campaigns officer of the Northern TUC, said his organisation supported any efforts to give the region more say in its own future.

"For the national economy to grow, all regions need to be firing on all cylinders.

"The NEvolution initiative is a clear sign to the Chancellor of the thirst and demand for devolved working in the North-East and we hope that he takes note.”

The campaign also has the backing of the Society of Editors.

Chairman of the Northern region, Colin Tapping said: "The whole of the North-East stands four-square behind implementation of the Heseltine Report to deliver investment programmes to the region.

“Our communities have an outstanding track record in transforming investment into real economic growth.”