North Yorkshire councils should merge says UKIP

UKIP’s two county councillors are asking County Hall in Northallerton to start new discussions on a wholesale change in the way services are delivered across the area.

David Simister and Sam Cross are arguing that with all councils looking to make savings they should be asking whether it makes sense to have eight separate authorities in the area.

Coun Simister said: “My county council division, which encompasses three district council wards, is represented by eight councillors – two county councillors and six district councillors.

“Unitary authority status would see this number being reduced to a maximum of three.

“By becoming a single-tier authority there are huge savings to be made and I believe it will result in better public services.”

The intervention coincides with North Yorkshire debating budget proposals which would see millions of pounds of cuts and a council tax rise of 1.99 per cent, the first increase in four years.

The UKIP pair have submitted a motion for discussion calling on the county council to hold talksw with Selby, Ryedale, Scarborough, Craven, Richmonshire, Hambleton and Harrogate with a view to creating one or two single-tier councils.

North Yorkshire County Council made a bid seven years ago to become a unitary authority in a move that was eventually rejected by the Government.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine suggested unitary authorities would help economic growth in report for the Government last year.