Experts have indicated what they feel the first-ever North of Tyne Mayor should prioritise.
Voters will go to the polls to vote in the North of Tyne mayor: All the election candidates, dates and key information , with several candidates vying to put their own stamp on the job.
But with North of Tyne mayor: All the election candidates, dates and key information , it remains to be seen what the mayor will be able to achieve with the budget and powers afforded to the them.
Now a think-tank has set out what it sees at the priorities for the incoming mayor, no matter which party they're from.
But it comes with a warning: Any benefits could be lost by not effectively working with the rest of the region.
Centre for Cities' chief executive, Andrew Carter, said: “The election of North of Tyne Mayor could mark a political and economic step change for the area, as it has done in London, Birmingham and Greater Manchester.
"To achieve this, the election winner should first focus on boosting the economy.
"The North of Tyne has been hit hard by recent decades’ changing economic realities such as globalisation or workplace automisation – limiting job opportunities.
"Therefore, the key priority for whoever who wins next month’s election should be to lay the foundations needed to boost overall economic growth."
In particular, the think-tank says focusing on supporting hi-tech businesses , a growing area for the North East, by investing in high-quality office space in the city centre is a practical way of attracting jobs.
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On education, the researchers say there is an opportunity for the mayor to oversee existing education programmes to identify where gaps in services exist.
And the mayor should use "soft powers" to develop a long-term strategy for the region, bringing together policy in areas like housing, infrastructure and economic development.
But, the experts warn, it will be crucial to actively work with councils south of the Tyne.
Local authorities in Gateshead , Sunderland , County Durham and South Tyneside chose not to press ahead with devolution talks following an acrimonious breakdown in discussions with the Government back in 2016.
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But, Mr Carter warned, that doesn't mean not working together is an option.
He said: “The challenge for the new Mayor will be finding a way to work with neighbouring local authorities who, while not formally part of North of Tyne, have close economic links.
"If this relationship is managed effectively it will bring tangible benefits for the entire North East; if not then the benefits of devolution to the North of Tyne and beyond could be lost.”
The candidates confirmed to contest the mayoral election on May 2 are: Jamie Driscoll (Labour), Charlie Hoult (Conservative), John Appleby (Liberal Democrat), and John McCabe (Independent), Hugh Jackson (Ukip).
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