Tees Valley Monitor

02/07/2025

No Comment: Deafening Silence from Tees Valley MPs on the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza.
This week the government won a case in the high court that challenged its commitment to supply arms components to Israel.

We had previously asked six MPs their opinion of the government's policy. Their unwillingness to respond raises some serious issues about democratic accountability.

Our report is here:

Government challenged in High court over arms sales to Israel but MPs in Tees Valley fail to respond to request for comment. Should they be obliged to?

23/06/2025

Permit Applied for to Allow Dumping of Radioactive Waste at Port Clarence.
Public consultation through Environment Agency is now open. However, contacting local MPs may prove more effective. Our report is here:

consultation on use of Port Clarence Landfill for radioactive waste is open. EA wants only in technical comments. Local MPs may be more interested.

22/06/2025

Closure of Ensus Bioethanol Plant has implications for public health.

Ensus released a pessimistic statement this week about the prospect of its Wilton plant closing down. Coincidentally, this week also say the publication of a report by the Royal College of Physicians on the need to improve air quality in the UK. Bioethanol has a role to play in that challenge, so that, while the consequences for local jobs is important, the risk of this industry has much wider implications for public health as well as energy security.

Read our report here:

US_UK trade deal undermines UK bioethanol industry. This industry has capacity to improve air quality and public health. Government should support it.

29/05/2025

Crisis at Teesside Bioethanol Plant
Recent US-UK trade deal allows US bioethanol manufacturers greater access to UK market, causing a crisis for UK producers, one of which is Ensus at Wilton. Knock-on effect on Teesside is considerable.

Our report:

Trade deal allows improved access to UK for US bioethanol. UK producers in jeopardy, and risks for Teesside economic regeneration are disproportionate

23/05/2025

Another Day, Another Setback for Teesside Airport

Easyjet announces it will set up a base at Newcastle Airport. How did the management at Teesside let that opportunity slip past them?

In order to have any chance of financial viability, Teesside needs a low cost airline to set up a base there. This is the first time in years that a carrier has set up a base in the North East. Teesside has the capacity to host it, but the company chose to go elsewhere. The airport's management now has some questions to answer.

22/05/2025

TVCA Cabinet: Standing on the Deck of the Titanic

While the mayor and TVCA officers propose inadequate measures to address criticism of the Authority by external auditors, cabinet members fail to challenge them. Are we waiting in vain for them to assert themselves?

Cabinet meeting discusses letter of complaint by external auditors. Meeting is short, and cabinet members do not challenge proposals, despite their inadequacy

08/05/2025

Teesside Airport Closed at Short Notice

As an incoming flight approached the airport on 2 May, the pilot was informed that the airport would be closed at its scheduled arrival time. The flight had to divert to Manchester before completing its journey.

Tees Valley Monitor set out to discover what lay behind the latest episode in a catalogue of failures at the airport:

On 2 May a plane approaching Teesside had to divert to Manchester as the airport had closed at short notice. We look into the circumstances.

15/04/2025

Redundancies at Teesside Airport?
Questions raised about the mayor's claims of job creation after £12.5 million investment. And further questions about the TVCA's commitment to supporting local business. |Our report is here:

The mayor has been challenged about claims about jobs made in this social media posts, and the lack of TVCA support for business. Press needs to investigate

13/04/2025

Reality Bites for Houchen as Best Value Notice Starts to Take Effect

Tees Valley mayor will step down as chair of three development corporations. Why didn't he do it sooner? And what else might be in the pipeline?
Our report is here:

Tees Valley mayor will step down as chair of development corporations this year, as recommended by the Tees Valley Review. But why didn't he do it last year?

04/04/2025

TVCA Best Value Notice: Houchen in Deep Water and in Denial

Tees Valley mayor curtails holiday in Malaga to attend South Tees Development Corporation meeting. He begins with comment on the Best Value Notice issued to the TVCA yesterday. His attempts to play down the seriousness of the situation are less than convincing, however:

Tees Valley mayor tries to play down the seriousness of the situation the Authority now finds itself in following the issue of a Best Value Notice

03/04/2025

Tees Valley Authority issued Best Value Notice
After months of speculation the government has today finally published proposals to scrutinise the dysfunctional authority led by Lord Ben Houchen. The recent cabinet meeting highlights some of its issues

MHCLG has issues TVCA with best value notice due to concerns over governance and value for money. Recent cabinet meeting highlighted some of the issues

20/03/2025

Will the TVCA Cabinet Step Up and Challenge the Mayor over Teesside Airport 'Investment'?

The TVCA mayor is asking for yet more 'investment' in the airport, but questions need to be asked about whether its current management can turn its fortunes around. There are signs that the TVCA cabinet will challenge Houchen on how the money will be spent.

This report is being sent to all council leaders to encourage them to step up and ask the hard questions:

One Council leader is committed to questioning the mayor's demand for a £12.5 mn investment in Teesside Airport. Other leaders must do the same.