Services come first as North Yorkshire reaches turning point – The Yorkshire Post says

They’re also testament to the importance of the rural economy to the wider region – a valid criticism of this Government’s approach to devolution is that the city-region focus has in fact marginalised countryside communities.

And the level of public engagement shows the extent to which residents and businesses care about provision of key services – and potential for economic growth – in England’s largest county.

As such, it is a credit to both North Yorkshire County Council which advocates a single council, and those proposing two new authorities, that they have both viewed this Government consultation as an opportunity to explore how services can be delivered more efficiently and effectively in the future.

This is also the key point as Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick considers submissions that also pave the way for the creation of one or two elected mayors to champion the county and lobby for funds.

He needs to consider whether the NYCC unitary plan is too unwieldy, even though the City of York would remain as a stand-alone council, and if those behind the so-called East and West proposals can be entrusted with adult and children’s services when they have so little experience of delivering this sphere of policy. Either way, the Minister must recognise that the challenges delivering services in rural areas are different to those of large towns and cities, and it is paramount that his final decision reflects this.

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