By Stephen Patterson, Chief Executive of Newcastle NE1 Ltd
The North East Mayoral elections in May signalled a major turning point for Newcastle and the wider region, providing a springboard for the future success of the North East.
We are now on the cusp of something extra special and we congratulate Kim McGuinness on her new role as the first North East Mayor and look forward to working with her over the next four years to ensure that the city and the wider region realise their full potential.
That the local authorities are coming together and working for the common good represents a seismic shift in the political tectonic plates of the region. The strength of voice provided by the new Mayor and the Combined Authority will be critically important in sustaining momentum for ongoing major projects, and will inject new dynamism, enthusiasm and ambition for crafting a long-term vision for the city and the wider North East. This will set the direction of travel for the region for years to come.
By speaking and campaigning collectively, the region will wield significant influence nationally, and amplify the combined voice of the North East.
There is a sense of urgency and a desire to see the new Mayoral authority accelerate existing projects and get new ones off the ground. Projects such as the Washington Metro Loop and Leamside Line, Gateshead’s Conference and Exhibition Centre, and Homes England’s Quayside West residentialled scheme are all strong examples of ambitious projects that will make a substantial contribution to the future economic prospects of the region.
There is a renewed optimism for and in the city, as it undergoes a once-in-a-generation transformation. With cranes towering over Newcastle’s skyline, dramatic progress is already being made on sites across the city including Pilgrim’s Quarter, the Helix, the Stephenson Quarter, and the £37.5 million investment currently transforming Newcastle’s retail core.
Investment comes in waves, and the economic stars have aligned to make this a tsunami. It presents a huge opportunity that must be grasped. But these projects have been years in the making, and transformation on this scale takes time. We now need to start discussing the longer-term vision for the region. We need to identify the next pipeline of major projects that will turn the dial and build on what has been achieved to date. We need to map out and create our hopes and vision for the future.
Abraham Lincoln said ‘The most reliable way to predict the future is to create it’. The region is awash with opportunities, and the convening power of the Mayor, combined with the strength provided by the seven local authorities working together, creates the best possible environment for the region to chart its course, make its case, and secure the investment the region needs, and deserves.
Progress will not be easy, nor should it be. The region will have to fight tooth and nail to secure each and every opportunity presented. We are competing nationally against combined authorities who are equally as ambitious and committed to their future prosperity. We need to be equal to, or greater than that challenge.
It’s early days, but so far, the new Mayor and Combined Authority appear to have hit the ground running and seamlessly transitioned from a combined authority of three to a combined authority of seven. No doubt this is the result of a dedicated team focused on the task at hand, and it bodes well that we have solid foundations on which to build an ambitious future.
It has been a long time coming, but finally, as a region, we can project strength, unity, and an unwavering desire to grow and reach our full potential.
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