North Yorkshire communities must have say in devolution plans - The Yorkshire Post says

North Yorkshire County Council has insisted that localism will be at the heart of any ‘mega council’ created as part of a deal, after concerns were raised that the area covered would be too vast and councillors would be out of touch with issues on the ground.

Indeed, the county is a huge expanse and one made up of vastly diverse communities – coastal, rural and urban.

Devolution, by its very nature, is about ensuring that decisions are made close to the people, businesses and economies that they affect and key to the success of any deal will be both getting to the heart of the concerns that matter most to all of North Yorkshire’s communities as well as making sure that, however varied, the range of local voices are represented.

Localism is absolutely the right course to take and such a strategy has to begin now – it cannot wait until after new powers and millions of pounds of funding have already been handed over from Westminster. The deal, if and when it comes to pass, should be one that is shaped and affirmed by the people living in the towns, villages and hamlets of North Yorkshire itself.

It cannot and must not be a fait accompli deal, determined from the top and masquerading as being a local approach. The very people who will be affected should expect to be consulted transparently. It is key that their voices are not only heard – but acted upon, too.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor