But will they withdraw funding?

Mayor attacks regional assembly
Nov 24 2004
By The Journal

A north mayor last night labelled the North- East Assembly an "expensive talking shop" and called for it to be scrapped.
Despite the decisive 78pc vote against creating an elected assembly for the region, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has said he is determined to allow the unelected NEA to continue.
But last night, North Tyneside's Mayor Linda Arkley said that the NEA was a waste of taxpayers' money and its limited functions should be handed back to councils.
She said: "John Prescott should listen to the people of the North-East. The unelected assembly is an expensive talking shop.
"Its powers should be handed back to local councils so we can have some real democratic control."
Chair of the NEA Bob Gibson last night said: "The North-East Assembly is the only region-wide body to bring together public, private and voluntary sector representation.
"The work of the Assembly touches on almost every aspect of life in the North- East and focuses on addressing the key priorities, such as transport, planning, housing, crime and community safety, health, skills and the environment.
"The Assembly will continue to fulfil its statutory role and is much encouraged by the support regional assemblies have received from the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in Parliament in recent weeks."