Councillors in North Yorkshire will decide whether Government’s draft devolution deal and the promise of a publicly elected mayor should go ahead.
At a meeting of the county council’s executive on Tuesday, September 6, members will be asked to agree an eight-week public consultation starting in mid-October. It is an important milestone in seeing the proposed deal become a reality.
Hailed, by the county council, as a “once in a generation” opportunity to halt rural decline and deliver better jobs, training, skills and transport, the draft deal was signed on Yorkshire Day (August 1). Now North Yorkshire councillors are being asked to take it to the next level.
Speaking on Friday, the leader of the county council, Cllr Carl Les, said:
“We are the first region in the country to secure the offer of a good devolution with the promise of a publicly elected mayor which covers not just an urban area but the rural expanse of North Yorkshire.
“I believe the deal on offer would be life-changing for region’s economy. Many challenges we face could become opportunities in a practical way. Joining up skills and training to support people into better paid jobs, kick-starting green economic growth that delivers on the potential of the geography we have. Locally led transport and infrastructure strategies and making homes more affordable for people. Together these measures can be a game-changer, with an initial investment pot of £540 million of new Government money available.
“I have been a huge supporter of the devolution of powers and money from Whitehall to the Town Hall and of local-led decision making set against our own priorities. I have no problem in recommending the acceptance of the draft deal and of asking my executive colleagues to agree a public consultation.”
The final decision on taking the proposals to the public for residents, businesses, groups, organisations and partners for give their views must be a joint one for councillors in North Yorkshire.
If public consultation is agreed, it will run through the autumn and close before Christmas to allow the results to be analysed and quality checked by an independent consultation expert. In the new year, North Yorkshire councillors would then consider those results and make a decision on a submission back to Government in the spring. The current timeline then outlines the formation of a combined authority for the region in winter 2023, with the public electing a mayor in May 2024.
The deal can be found on the Government’s website, here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/york-and-north-yorkshire-devolution-deal/york-and-north-yorkshire-devolution-deal#summary-of-the-devolution-deal-between-the-government-and-the-local-authorities-of-york-and-north-yorkshire-comprising-city-of-york-council-and-north-yorkshire-council
The executive paper can be read here: https://edemocracy.northyorks.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1147&MId=5074&Ver=4
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