For decades, public health has been the lens through which society has tackled issues like disease prevention and life expectancy. But today's challenges — rising mental ill-health, persistent inequalities, and community disconnection — show that focusing on ‘health' alone is no longer enough.

To truly transform lives, we must shift our focus to public wellbeing. And once again, the North East has the chance to lead where others will follow.

A wellbeing city puts the health, happiness, and quality of life of every resident at the centre of its success — beyond just economic growth or infrastructure.

n its first year, the government has taken visible steps to kickstart delivery. Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), alongside a recalibrated housing needs formula, show real intent to address supply blockages. Housing starts are up by around 6% year-on-year, and there’s renewed focus on affordability, design quality and public sector delivery models.

Imagine a port network that powers offshore wind, hydrogen flights and AI-run logistics - right here in Blyth, Tyne, Sunderland and Newcastle.

“This Bill does not devolve power; it recentralises it – outsourcing Whitehall control to regional figureheads and sidelining the councils that know their communities best.”

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is being sold as a landmark reform, a bold new chapter for local democracy. Ministers present it as a chance to “give power back to the people” and “strengthen local leadership.” But scratch beneath the surface and a very different reality emerges.

This Bill doesn’t restore power to local councils; it strips it away. Far from being a revival of local self-determination, it represents something more troubling: the franchising of central government, dressed up as devolution.

In June this year the UK government published two policy papers. A modern industrial strategy to increase business investment and grow the industries of the future in the UK, and an infrastructure strategy to set out the government's long-term plan for economic, housing, and social infrastructure.

This Tuesday, the North East Combined Authority Cabinet will consider a paper proposing a Newcastle – Gateshead Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ), with £300,000 earmarked to commission advisers and develop a strategy. The timing is critical: decisions on 23 September could commit public funds and shape governance before local leaders, elected members, and communities have had proper input.