The leaders of the seven councils that agreed a multi-billion devolution deal with the Government have been accused of "arrogance" and "riding roughshod" over public opinion.
Independent councillor Georgina Hill, who represents the Berwick East ward on Northumberland County Council, implied that the process was undemocratic at a full council meeting on Wednesday.
The £4.2bn deal would bring new funding and powers to the region, and see a mayor elected to cover Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham and was finally agreed between Christmas and New Year after years of political manoeuvring.
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Speaking at Wednesday's meeting, Coun Hill asked council leader Glen Sanderson why there had not been a referendum on the new combined authority, who made the decision and whether he supported it.
Coun Sanderson said: "There's nothing in the legislation, as you know, about needing to have a public referendum. Whether it is desirable or not, is a matter of opinion.
"Personally, I'm always in favour of having referendums when there is a really really important decision to make, but on this occasion neither Labour nor the Conservative national Government put forward in their manifestos to have a referendum for this. However, what we are going to do is have an enormous amount of consultation with our residents, our businesses and our voluntary sector, to make sure they understand what opportunities there are for them and for their organisations.
"That is why I'm satisfied with what we're going to do. It is so that they have a say, and it's not just them having a say, it's the fact that we will listen and take their ideas forward and make sure their voice is heard."
Coun Hill then pushed the leader further on the issue.
She said: "Do you accept that having a say in consultation is not the same as having a vote? How do you expect to bring the public along with you on this when there's not only no referendum, but it hasn't been to full council of any of the authorities?
"It hasn't been to the 67 members who represent areas across the county, so what would you say to members of the public who say there's a democratic deficiency to this?
"If you did consult widely and people bothered to turn up, and you got a sense that people in Northumberland did not want this devolution, would you row back from your position?"
Coun Sanderson responded: "I'm quite confident that people in Northumberland will want this when they understand what's involved. We know that there was another council that wasn't too keen on joining this particular project but they have rowed back and decided that they do want to join it because the alternatives were simply not acceptable compared to being part of this project."
Coun Sanderson was referencing Durham County Council, with the authority remaining unconvinced about the deal until the 11th hour.
He continued: "You can talk to people as much as you like but you need to listen back, and that's something we're quite good at and getting better at. I will be listening to what people say."
Speaking to all members, he added: "Once you're fully briefed, I think you will agree that this is the right option for our residents, for the county and for the North East."
Speaking after the meeting, Coun Hill said; “When there is a proposed devolution of powers, there absolutely needs to be a referendum in the interests of democracy.
"The arrogance of North East Council leaders, riding roughshod over public opinion will only fuel public cynicism - also, when you break down the proffered Government funding by year and per area, it does not add up to that much at all.”
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