Reassurances given that single unitary council for North Yorkshire would keep localism at its core

Carl Les, leader of the Conservative-run North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), has said local concerns would still be heard if plans for one council covering the area went ahead.

It comes after NYCC proposed creating one council to cover the whole region, following a decree by Ministers that without local government reorganisation in the area, a devolution deal could not be agreed. The move would mean creating one or more unitary councils, throwing the future of the seven district or borough councils into doubt.

Critics have argued one council for the whole of North Yorkshire would be too cumbersome and out of touch with local issues.

But Coun Les said: “In a ‘double devolution’ proposal our plan would see greater powers and funding passed to parish and town councils than currently exist, for those that would welcome it.

“We would give people, voluntary organisations and businesses a louder voice via 25 community networks based around market town areas which would be the drivers of renewal and innovation from the bottom up.

“We would improve transparency through area constituency committees to oversee their local areas, champion their cause, strengthen relationships with their MPs and make important decisions locally on things including planning and licensing. They would hold a North Yorkshire council to account.”

NYCC said the roots of the proposal could be seen in the Stronger Communities service, established five years ago to support the transfer of its libraries into community ownership as a way of keeping the service going in a time of austerity.

Some 31 of the county’s libraries are now fully owned and managed by brand new charities or parish councils, with the county council supporting through supplying stock, IT help and subsidies.

The project moved on to supporting prevention services for health and social care, and will now focus on community-led, place-based social action to tackle local concerns.

Executive director of community organisation Nidderdale Plus, Helen Flynn, said she was supportive of the approach.

She said: “You need a council which has the capacity to operate at scale and make powerful strategic decisions and which will have a national voice and standing, but alongside that you need focused and effective services which are very close to the community.

"This is what we have been developing in Nidderdale with the county council’s Stronger Communities service, and it is what could be developed still further if a case – such as the proposed, new North Yorkshire Council with its strong localism agenda – goes ahead.”

North Yorkshire estimates savings of £25m a year under its single unitary proposal.

But concerns have been raised that having one base of power in Northallerton, where NYCC is currently based, would take decision making further away from North Yorkshire’s 800,000 residents.

And district leaders have said they want an alternative involving councils which are “large enough to make savings into the future but small enough to stay connected with our communities”.

Councils have until September to put forward their plans , a public consultation would then be held and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick would decide which option has most support