Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald today spoke in the House of Commons regarding the Best Value Notice issued to the Tees Valley Combined Authority. The MP highlighted that concerns around governance, financial mismanagement and procurement have been voiced over a number of years.
He also pointed to issues of openness transparency adding that during a TVCA Cabinet meeting last week Tees Valley Mayor Lord (Ben) Houchen of High Leven had called members of the public “idiots” who were asking “insane” questions.
In response the Leader of the House Lucy Powell MP praised McDonald for being a “tireless campaigner on these issues around accountability and transparency in the Tees Valley Mayoral Combined Authority” which deserved credit.
Best Value Notice
McDonald said: “I note the government has today issued a Best Value Notice to the Tees Valley Mayoral Combined Authority. Concerns around governance, financial mismanagement and procurement have been voiced over a number of years.
“And yet Mayor Ben Houchen has resisted the demands for openness and transparency. Indeed, just last Friday, he openly called questioning members of the public “idiots” and deemed their questions “insane”.
“That all changes today. But will the leader consider a debate in government? Time for this house to consider how we balance our laudable further devolution ambitions with the need for a much more robust system of oversight and accountability.”
In response the Leader of the House said: “First of all, can I pay tribute to the honourable gentleman? He’s been a tireless campaigner on these issues around accountability and transparency in the Tees Valley Mayoral Combined Authority. And I’m sure I will join him in welcoming the fact that we have today issued the Best Value Notice.
“And he should take some credit for that and the work that he has done over many, many years.
“Ministers do welcome improvements that have recently been made, but there is much further to go, and as he says, this is the beginning of that process.
“Later this year, we will be publishing our devolution bill, which will include aspects of accountability and audit there as well. And I’m sure he’ll welcome to debate that at the time.”
This article is based on a media release from the office of Andy McDonald
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