Labour leader Cllr Steve Harker opened the door for future team work with Peter Gibson MP and Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, despite representing opposing parties.

Source: https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/23542211.new-darlington-borough-council-leader-due-elected-week/?ref=rss

Last year, Ben Houchen - Mr Burnham's Conservative counterpart in the Tees Valley, who was once said to be the most powerful Tory in the North - claimed that Greater Manchester could not afford to make the Bee Network a reality without government support.

Source: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/reason-andy-burnham-worth-wait-27764965

Pressure has been piling on the government to launch an investigation after 's Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Lisa Nandy called for a review and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen echoed her request later the same day.

Source: https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/nao-confirms-could-investigate-teesworks-26950354

The Levelling Up Secretary said the mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, will get new powers with the corporations to revamp both town centres.

Source: https://www.bicesteradvertiser.net/news/national/23275962.gove-announces-development-corporations-middlesbrough-hartlepool/?ref=rss