Public support holds key to North Yorkshire devolution – The Yorkshire Post says

A unitary council under the leadership of a metro-style mayor, elected by local people rather than being hand-picked by councillors, would have a mandate – and freedom – to champion the rural economy, and bring focus to this policy agenda, rather than the existing district councils pursuing a more fragmented approach.

But the reason this proposed local government shake-up continues to attract so much antipathy is because economic growth is only part of the remit; the question is whether one council, stretching from the East Coast all the way to the Lancashire border, can genuinely provide every key public service over such a large expanse.

And while North Yorkshire County Council rightly points to its current record, notably its hard-earned reputation when it comes to children’s services for example, it clearly needs to do more to reassure residents – and those district council leaders drawing up rival plans while also urging the Government to put the process on hold due to Covid – that such a large responsibility is within its capabilities.

Council leader Carl Les also needs to demonstrate how the streamlining of councils will lead to enhanced services because there should – in theory – be less bureaucracy as a result of functions, like housing, planning and tourism, will come under one authority.

This is where NYCC – and its supporters – now need to focus because devolution will only fulfil its potential, and hopefully have a transformative effect on this great county, if it commands strong grassroots support from the outset. On this, the local authority still has much to do. And prove.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson