Kim McGuinness sets out vision for North East mayor

Ms McGuinness set out reducing deprivation in the region as her key election pledge in her manifesto.

Her critics would say that it is simply too large a problem to dent but she remains defiant that it is possible to "significantly" reduce child poverty within the next four years.

She said: "Child poverty is the single biggest issue that we are facing in our region. We have got the highest levels of child poverty in the country.

"One of the things I have found frustrating over recent years is that despite that level of crisis trying to get anyone to talk about it in Westminster and take notice of it has been practically impossible.

"I see this as our opportunity to say look this is how we are going to measure our success.

"If somebody wants to come to us for investment they are going to have to answer the question of what they are going to do to take on child poverty."

The mayor says that she has a number of ideas for ways to immediately begin tackling the problem from a mayoral grant for child care, introducing Sure Start for children in early years and creating safe spaces for young people outside of the home.

Housing

She also highlighted affordable housing as one area which needs "political commitment" to tackling which would be a big step stabilising the lives of young people. 

Ms McGuinness said: "We just have to commit to it.

"There are 66,000 people on our social housing waiting list in the region.

"Last year in the region we built 92. It is just not good enough.

"We need to be really clear on the fact that it is a priority in this region."

Devolution

The mayor believes that more devolution is needed for her to fulfil her role properly. She wants to be given powers for housing which will let her take money from Housing England and use it in the right places in the North East.

Ms McGuinness had a meeting with Labour leadership the day before she spoke to The Northern Echo and she thinks that more devolution is on the way.

"All of the 11 Labour mayors sat down with Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner which shows how important they consider that relationship and the role that mayors have to play in delivering for the public.

"Top of that agenda is more devolution. I want to see devolution of Housing England, devolution of Post 16 skills and things like training stations.

"We know what levers we need to pull in our own regions to make a difference. It’s very clear to me that the Labour leadership are listening.

"Next, when we do get that general election and I really hope to see Keir Starmer in Number 10 we need to be able to hold him to account for that and say look it’s time to deliver in terms of places like the NE because we have been left behind."

Scale of the job

"I’ve already been out and about in the region, tomorrow I’m spending the day in County Durham and East Durham.

"It is going to be really important that tis is about the villages and towns as well as the cities.

"I don’t actually see Newcastle as the hub of the region. We have got three fantastic cities, we have an amazing coastline and countryside that needs attention.

"Everybody in this region deserves access to good quality homes and opportunity. We need strong high streets and that’s what we want to deliver for them.

"I’ve spent a campaign listening to thousands of people and I think that’s the way we are able to achieve those things, working with people within those communities to understand what it is they need and how we change things for them."

She confirmed that cabinet meetings will be held in towns and cities across the North East.

The election result

The North East mayoral election looked to be a two horse race during the run up to polling day with Kim McGuinness competing with former North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll.

"I feel like the mandate I got was really powerful and I think the results, not just here but across our region showed that voters are moving to Labour.

"We have had 14 years of Conservative government and nobody feels better off. Our region, which is a brilliant place, has been left behind.

"It’s just a little bit too far north for them to have paid attention to. I think that really shone through with the results.

"I’m having really strong conversations with Labour, I was with the front bench just yesterday.

"We were talking about how we bring more powers to our region. We want more devolution here so people can have more of a say over their own future.

"That’s what really appeals to people. People here feel a really really long way from London.

"People want to have more control and more decision making here."

Don't miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to the Northern Echo, click here

Most read

Shildon man fined £10k for £160k illegal waste movements

Where does the North of England start? Our readers decide

How Do You Do in Peterlee to be converted into convenience store

What does success look like?

"I’d like to be able to say that we have reduced child poverty significantly, I would like to be able to say that people who are growing up in this region and who have chosen this region to be home feel like they have the opportunities that they want in the region.

"I’d like to see a public transport network that is safe, affordable and reliable that works for the people of the region.

"If we can say that we have delivered those plus a huge increase in social housing that will be a real success."