Report fails to draw a line under Teesworks row

Teesworks was formed in 2020 with the aim of redeveloping the former steelworks site

There is little sign the Teesworks investigation has drawn a line under the long-running saga about the development of the huge site.

An independent review published on Monday into claims surrounding finances found no evidence of wrongdoing or illegality, but made 28 recommendations and criticised a lack of transparency.

The Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and the Conservative government can correctly say it found no evidence of the “industrial-scale corruption” that Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald talked about in the House of Commons last April. Vindication the mayor says.

But some of the problems the investigation found with transparency, governance and the ability to prove the taxpayer is getting value for money do not paint a flattering picture of the administration of a site that is so important for Teesside’s future.

And that is providing ammunition for Labour to say this report is far from a clean bill of health, even if it is clear it found no evidence laws have been broken.

The party has repeated earlier calls for the National Audit Office to be brought in.

Ben Houchen said he welcomed the panel's recommendations

Andy McDonald has also not been silenced, saying none of the concerns raised in the report would have come to light had he and others not pressed for an investigation he calls “damning”.

With more devolution happening across the country, it may also turn some focus on the use of mayoral development corporations to deliver major regeneration like Teesworks.

There is the potential for them to be more dynamic and nimble than traditional councils.

But this report does raise questions whether enough thought has yet been given to how they can also be accountable and transparent.

For Ben Houchen, though, he will press on and tell potential investors they can forget charges of corruption.

And although he has had to accept the report’s 28 recommendations for improving the management and oversight of the project, he will continue to point to the jobs that are being created and the investment that is happening, even if much of the transformation of the former steelworks still lies in the future.

It is that record he will present to the public.

He faces a test, though, of any damage that might have been done.

Voters in the Tees Valley will decide in May whether to back him for a third term as mayor.

Andy McDonald branded the report "damning"

And you would be naïve to believe there is not a huge slice of politics involved in this whole affair.

The Conservatives want to ensure that Ben Houchen, the effective poster boy of levelling up, is not tarnished.

He remains popular in an area that is crucial to their electoral prospects, remaining favourite to defy the current party political gravity and win another term.

They need to keep it that way at a time when Conservatives are struggling in almost every other poll.

But Labour still senses that Teesworks might offer the Kryptonite they need to take the shine off the Supermayor, and give their own candidate, the Darlington councillor Chris McEwan, a chance of winning.

The Green Party’s Sally Bunce is also in the race.

The opposing camps then are now likely to double down, and you can expect the Teesworks report to be weaponised by both sides in the campaign to come.

And then of course there is the small matter then of a general election in an area which includes five vulnerable Conservative seats.

So, yes, whether you are fascinated by every twist and turn, or bored and baffled by the row, a line has certainly not been drawn.