From the North East Assembly Website

How many people work in the Assembly Directorate?
Currently 32 people are employed in the Directorate, which is headed by Stephen Barber, the Director.

Who are North East Assembly’s members?
Our 72 members include local authorities, business, trade, culture, media, sport, education, training, MPs and MEPs, health, rural, the environment and voluntary sectors.

How does the North East Assembly differ from the Association of North East Councils?
The Association of North East Councils exists to represent the interests of the 25 local authorities in the North East on issues affecting them. It aims to speak with a clear voice on behalf of local government and to ensure that the collective voice of local government in the North East is heard.The North East Assembly includes representation from the 25 local authorities but draws in a much wider membership from the public, private and voluntary sector. The Assembly has a role for expressing the interests of the region as a whole and responding to the needs of the region. The wide cross- representation on the Assembly has enabled it to build up effective working relationships at the regional level with a wide range of interests and stakeholders.The Association of North East Councils and the North East Assembly are separate bodies, each with its own constitution in the form of Rules of Procedure and membership. In the interests of efficiency, the organisations have a shared staff and premises.

Do Regional Assemblies exist in other parts of the country?
Yes, there is a regional assembly for each of the eight English regions. So, in addition to the North East Assembly, the following are in existence:East of England Regional AssemblyEast Midlands Regional AssemblyNorth West Regional AssemblySouth East England Regional AssemblySouth West Regional AssemblyWest Midlands Regional AssemblyYorkshire and Humber Assembly

How is the North East Assembly funded?
The North East Assembly is funded by subscriptions from local authority members, together with Government funding to carry out its responsibilities under the Strengthening Regional Accountability initiative.