New North Yorkshire Council Deputy Leader Pledges To Promote Homes And Business

Councillor Mark Crane has been appointed as the new deputy leader of North Yorkshire Council, pledging to prioritise economic development, housing, and the county's first local plan.

Councillor Mark Crane has been appointed as the new deputy leader of North Yorkshire Council, succeeding Councillor Gareth Dadd in the authority’s second most senior political position.

The announcement was made by the council’s leader, Councillor Carl Les, during a full council meeting on Wednesday at County Hall in Northallerton.

Councillor Crane, whose political career began in 1999, has pledged to drive forward economic development and ensure that housing and business remain at the forefront of the council's priorities.

He claimed that the development of the first countywide local plan for North Yorkshire is the most crucial piece of work currently being undertaken by the authority. The new local plan is designed to shape future growth, determining where new homes, jobs, and business developments should be situated. It is expected to affect communities across the entire county and is slated for adoption in the autumn of 2029.

Councillor Mark Crane said:

"The opportunity to take on the role of the deputy leader is a real honour, especially as it means following Gareth who is such a great ambassador for North Yorkshire. The county is a wonderful place to represent, although there are major challenges that we face with growing demand on our services amid major financial pressures on budgets. I think that the local plan is without question the most important piece of work that we are undertaking. It will be the first time that we have a strategic document for the whole of North Yorkshire to guide development and planning policy, and it will affect every community in every part of the county. As the new deputy leader, I want to make sure that economic development, supporting existing and new businesses, and the provision of housing, and especially affordable homes, are at the forefront of our agenda."

In addition to his new role, Councillor Crane will retain his previous responsibilities as the executive member for open to business, which includes overseeing economic development, planning policy, and tourism.

Meanwhile, a new member of the executive, Councillor Peter Wilkinson, has been appointed to manage finance, property, and information technology, taking over the portfolio previously held by Councillor Dadd.

Councillor Carl Les said:

"We are extremely lucky as a council to have two such talented individuals to take on roles following the retirement of the deputy leader. I would like to thank Gareth for his hard work, dedication and commitment that he has shown over the years while both deputy leader as well as representing the Thirsk division. On a personal level, I would also like to show my appreciation to Gareth who has supported me as the council’s leader throughout all the years we have worked together. While Gareth will be a hard act to follow, Mark has an immense amount of experience and has been an integral part of the executive since he was appointed. I am looking forward to working with him in his new role to ensure we continue to bring benefits to our communities and businesses across the county."

Councillor Crane brings extensive experience to the position, having served as the leader of the former Selby District Council from 2003 until 2023. The district council was one of eight local authorities that merged to form the unitary North Yorkshire Council in April 2023. He continues to represent the Brayton and Barlow division, where he resides.

Before dedicating his time fully to politics, Councillor Crane worked for HM Customs and Excise and HM Revenue and Customs for thirty-eight years. His career began in VAT before he progressed to senior management, eventually retiring in 2019. Outside of his political commitments, he is a keen golfer, a member of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, and a supporter of Leyton Orient Football Club.

Councillor Dadd, who announced his intention to step down as deputy leader earlier this year, will also retire as the councillor for Thirsk at next year’s elections, concluding twenty-two years of service. A former butcher and greengrocer who retired from business in 2017, Councillor Dadd is known for his passion for equality of opportunity and his dedication to supporting local charities.