In September 2016, that deal broke down, as the leaders south of the Tyne were worried about the loss of EU funding, and in 2017 no mayor was elected.

[10] From 2 November 2018, the boundaries of NECA were reduced to Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside.

[10] In the Levelling Up white paper, the Government announced a larger mayoral combined authority would be created for the region.

[13] The North East Mayoral Combined Authority (Establishment and Functions) Order 2024 was laid before Parliament on 8 February 2024[14][15][16] and was made as a statutory instrument on 20 March 2024.

The deal includes provisions to establish a new North East Strategic Energy Board to coordinate energy supply and demand and promote growth in the offshore wind sector and a new North East Coastal and Rural Taskforce to strengthen the region’s rural and coastal communities.

[20] The arrangements for NECA's governance were set out in the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (Establishment and Functions) Order 2024.