People across the North East are being invited to put their questions to Metro Mayor Jamie Driscoll at his next Question Time event.
It takes place from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Tuesday 24 October at One Strawberry Lane in Newcastle. It will also be streamed online for anyone who is unable to attend in person.
The event will be hosted by former BBC Radio Newcastle presenter Alfie Joey who will put peoples’ questions to the mayor. October’s theme is net zero and how the devolution deal for the North East can help to reduce harmful carbon emissions across the region.
Mayor Driscoll who leads the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) has placed the issue of net zero at the heart of his agenda. One of his early priorities was the creation of a low carbon investment fund which launched in 2021 with a £9 million contribution from the combined authority.
The NTCA money is being matched from other funding sources, so a total of £18 million has been made available. The Green New Deal Fund supports a wide range of projects across the region, including community energy schemes, electric vehicle charging solutions, building retrofits, small scale renewables, natural capital, and low carbon heating systems.
Mayor Driscoll said: “Westminster politicians are watering down their green commitments. This is not the way to build a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.
“The UK has an ambitious target to be net zero by 2050. We all have a role to play in reducing harmful carbon emissions and damage to the environment.
“As Mayor, I declared a climate emergency on my first day in office. We’ve kick-started the journey with our Green New Deal Fund which is bringing direct benefits to the region.
“Net Zero is a huge opportunity for the North East, creating good jobs and bringing down fuel bills. My Question Time events are an open forum and I look forward to hearing from you.”
Questions should be submitted in advance via Eventbrite. Tickets to the event can be booked online. People can also be part of the virtual Zoom audience if they would rather tune in from the comfort of their own home. Tickets for the online audiance can be booked on Eventbrite.
Mayor’s Question Time will also be live streamed via Mayor Jamie Driscoll’s Facebook page, @NorthofTyneMayor.