A council leader has pledged to hold the Government to account over a future devolution deal for Durham.
Councillor Amanda Hopgood, leader of Durham County Council, said they would be "asking for everything" in an unprecedented deal.
She said: "We've had confirmation from Government that County Durham is to be one of nine areas selected to take forward proposals for devolution powers.
"We have worked extremely hard with Government to set out why County Durham needs a devolution deal and how this will help us to invest in our local communities.
"Clearly we have set out a strong and compelling argument to get to this point and we look forward to further discussions with Government on how a deal will work for us.
"The last two years have been a challenge for everyone, but with more local control over economic regeneration, housing, infrastructure and resources, we can look to the future with confidence and optimism.
"I can assure you all that we will be working extremely hard to secure the best possible devolution deal for County Durham," she told a council meeting on Wednesday (February 23).
"And that includes working with all six of our local MPs, and we'll set out the next steps once we've had further discussions with Government."
Read more: Devolution in Durham to lead Government levelling up agenda
The Government announced earlier this month County Durham would be given greater decision-making powers as part of its flagship levelling up agenda.
Durham County Council will be invited to agree a new county deal as part of plans to provide more power to the region in a “devolution revolution” with the offer of a London-style deal.
The North East authority is one of nine initially outlined to benefit from the new plans, and could see specified powers transferred from central government to local level.
This could include anything from increasing economic productivity, improving local services, or undertaking new infrastructure projects.
Local leaders will receive a share of the £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with investments set to regenerate communities, boost people’s skills, and support local businesses.
Read more: Leaders respond to devolution in County Durham and North East
Labour group leader Cllr Carl Marshall said: "I'm just wondering in light of the leader's report and the announcement from Government that they're open to discuss a devolution deal, when the Cabinet and the leadership of the council will set out its plans for what its ask is from Government to members and more importantly our partners and our communities across the county.
"There's some massive opportunities for us in County Durham with any devolution deal but there's also some massive risks.
"Not least the risk of losing out on the 300m Euros additional funding that was set to pour into County Durham had we remained in the EU, through the Shared Prosperity and Community Renewal funding.
"The Government have previously signalled that they wouldn't give us any less than this amount.
"But those sounds have gone quiet of late.
"And this funding funds a lot of our work including the Durham works programme.
"When will the cabinet and the coalition set out to the council and the community our ask of Government?"
Cllr Hopgood replied: "We will be setting things out and I would invite you to come in as leader of the opposition once we got that.
"But first of all we have to have the discussion with Government, because what we've got so far is the White Paper.
"That's the next process to speak to them to see what options are available for a county deal.
"There is no precedent with a county deal. We will be the first ones to have one, so we will be there asking for everything."
She said she had asked Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove about the Shared Prosperity Fund at a recent conference.
The answer came back that it would be "shared fairly", she added.
"And we'll be holding them (to) account to demonstrate what 'shared fairly' means."
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