Council shake-up: North Yorkshire ‘ain’t broke so don’t fix it’ – Yorkshire Post Letters

THE devolution of powers and funding to a York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is highly desirable, but is conditional on the creation of unitary councils to replace the current, inefficient, county/district structure of local government.

In a largely rural county, vast areas of which are sparsely populated, many residents would wish to see local decisions made at a much more local level than at present.

The “single unitary” proposal from North Yorkshire County Council would address that concern by creating 25 or more market town areas.

Over time, the management and ownership of some local community assets and services would be devolved to those parish/town councils willing and able to accept.

Over the next few years, the Covid-19 pandemic will require national and local government to concentrate on supporting the economy and helping communities to first weather the storm, and then to build the recovery.

In my opinion, the “twin unitary” proposal made by the district councils represents a wholly unnecessary diversion of time and effort, away from this overwhelming priority.

Much local government effort during the period to May 2023 would be devoted to negotiations and power struggles over splitting the county council’s budgets and resources for education, highways, social care and so on.

Given the current debacle over schools and education, the idea of breaking up an effective and well-regarded county-wide education service over the next few years simply beggars belief. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

However, the county council’s “single unitary” proposal does not elaborate on the composition of the new Area Committees, which would group together a number of market town areas.

Nor does it make reference to the two National Park Authorities. The 25+ market town areas, served by community forums, would be drawn from the county council’s existing 31 Stronger Community Areas. They would thereby include the 728 existing town/parish councils, plus the suggested two new town councils for the unparished urban areas of Harrogate and Scarborough.

I suggest the new Area Committees should group together those communities with common geographic and demographic characteristics which have a major effect on local community access to the services provided by the unitary authority: education, transport, health and social care.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson