Mayor to step down from MDC chair roles in June

The Tees Valley Combined Authority is chaired by Mayor Ben Houchen

A mayor will stand down from chairing multiple Mayoral Development Corporations (MDCs) in June.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said he would not be seeking the MDC chair positions when they became available again at the next annual general meeting (AGM) on 27 June.

It follows the publication of government advice suggesting mayors in such roles should resign "to avoid conflicts of interests".

MDCs come into existence after a regional mayor designates a mayoral development area with the object of securing regeneration there.

As of January 2025, there are two MDCs in London, one in Manchester and three in the Tees Valley - the latter all chaired by Houchen.

They are the South Tees Development Corporation, the Middlesbrough Development Corporation and the Hartlepool Development Corporation.

The government said on 3 April that oversight of MDCs "should be clearly separate from decision making to avoid conflicts of interest".

The Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) previously said it would "reflect carefully" on the advice.

Houchen said: "I am incredibly proud of all we've achieved and will achieve... the boards will be updated at the AGM as per the constitution."

The TVCA is currently subject to a Best Value Notice, meaning it must work with the government to make sure public money is being used appropriately.