The Submission of a proposal to create a single unitary council for all of North Yorkshire was approved by county councillors yesterday.
In a special meeting of North Yorkshire County Council, councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of submitting the proposal to government.
The vote, described as one of the 'most important decisions elected members will ever make for residents ', was passed 57 in favour to 11 against.
Responding to the vote at an extraordinary meeting of the County Council, leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:
“We firmly believe that our proposal for a new single unitary council, based on North Yorkshire’s well recognised geography and delivering strong public services to everyone here is the best option for economic recovery and sustainable local government.
“However, we have always been clear that we recognise some district colleagues have a different view and an alternative proposal, which would split the county in half east/west.
“I am very pleased that today’s vote means it will be for the Secretary of State to decide which bid or bids match the national criteria and will therefore go forward for public consultation.
“This was one of the most important decisions elected members will ever make for residents at a critical time. We will need strength and scale to drive renewed economic recovery once we emerge from the pandemic. I am pleased the Secretary of State will now be able to consider our bid on its merits alongside any others which may come forward.
“I am grateful to my colleagues for ensuring the right and fair outcome for residents and businesses here and we will now submit our outline proposal to Government by November 9th.”
Liz Colling is the county councillor for Falsgrave and Stepney, she voted against the proposal.
Eastfield and Osgodby Councillor Tony Randerson also voted against the plans.
The government has asked for outline proposals on the future of local government in the county by November 9th. Government will then assess the proposals submitted against their criteria and consult publicly on any proposals which meet their criteria in the New Year.
Earlier in the week Scarborough Borough Council backed the submission of an alternative plan which would see the Scarborough Borough form a new unitary council with Ryedale, Selby and York.
North Yorkshire County Council’s proposal can be read in full here: https://democracy.northyorks.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=17&meetid=4460&agendaid=6984
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