Generate an appropriate single-sentence summary for the given text such that it includes the main topic of the text.

The seven local authorities agreed to the move in June. Now, Durham Council leader Simon Henig will lead the North East Leadership Board in its transition from a shadow to a statutory body. Cllr Henig says it is "extremely important" that the region works together to "benefit" the economy. The government has now launched the formal consultation on the proposal to create a Combined Authority from April 2014, which is hoped will gain "more powers and funding" for the area. "Right for the region" Mr Henig said: "This is a very important opportunity and I do not underestimate the work to be done. "As demonstrated effectively elsewhere, it is entirely appropriate that decisions about what is right for a region are made by the people who know it best and I am therefore pleased to accept the role as chair." A Combined Authority can be set up when two or more local authorities want to work more closely to support economic growth in areas such as skills, transport and investment. Mr Henig was appointed chair of the North East Leadership Board by the group of leaders and elected mayor representing the local authorities. North East LEP is made up of seven councils - Durham County, Gateshead, Newcastle City, North Tyneside, Northumberland County, South Tyneside and Sunderland City. Greater Manchester was the first in the country to develop a statutory Combined Authority in April 2011.
A Combined Authority formed by North East councils to give the region a "stronger voice", has appointed a council leader to head the group.

The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will be used for a two-year-project at Witham Hall, Barnard Castle. It will involve the building being restored and turned into a heritage learning centre for the community. Witham Hall opened in 1846 as a memorial to philanthropist, landowner and geologist Henry Witham and was first used as a dispensary. It is currently used as meeting rooms and for archives. Head of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) North East Ivor Crowther said: "HLF are delighted to be supporting this project that will totally rejuvenate a much-loved building, bringing it back to the heart of the community for everyone to use and enjoy. "It demonstrates how a heritage building, while providing an important link to a community's roots, can also be adapted for the needs of today." Up to 50 volunteers will be involved and a community engagement officer will be appointed to set up educational and community activities.
A project to restore a Grade II listed building in a County Durham town has been given a £336,000 boost.

Public Internet Registry (PIR), which runs the .org domain, was sold in November to private equity firm Ethos Capital for a rumoured $1bn (£800m). Critics warned that the new owner would try to run .org for profit, costing charities millions. But the governing body in charge has now rejected the proposed transfer. One campaign group said the block was a "stunning victory for non-profits". For profit Organisations including the Girl Scouts of America and the YMCA had called for the sale of PIR to be blocked. Many in the non-profit sector feared the sale of .org to a for-profit equity group would lead to: On 15 April, California's attorney general Xavier Becerra said the transfer "raises serious concerns that cannot be overlooked". The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) is the governing body for top-level domains such as .org and .com. It declined to honour the transfer of PIR from the Internet Society to Ethos Capital on Thursday. It said the block was "reasonable, and the right thing to do". In a statement, it said Ethos Capital had "no meaningful plan to protect or serve the .org community". The takeover would leave a debt of $360m, which PIR would be "forced to service" and "provide returns to its shareholders". Campaign group the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) welcomed the news. "Icann today roundly rejected Ethos Capital's plan to transform the .org domain registry into a heavily indebted for-profit entity. This is an important victory that recognises the registry's long legacy as a mission-based, not-for-profit entity protecting the interests of thousands of organisations and the people they serve," it said in a statement. "But the .org registry still needs a faithful steward, because the Internet Society has made clear it no longer wants that responsibility." PIR is incorporated in Pennsylvania, where the state's attorney general is also investigating the sale.

The controversial sale of the .org web domain - used by charities and non-profit organisations - has been set back after months of deliberation.

