Rival proposals for North Yorkshire devolution plan to be put to Government today

Local leaders in North Yorkshire were told earlier this year that they must form one or more unitary authorities in order to unlock new devolution powers and an elected mayor.

North Yorkshire County Council has proposed creating one single unitary authority for the majority of North Yorkshire, covering 600,000 people, while leaving the City of York to continue as its own authority as it currently is.

While the majority of district council leaders want an east and west model, which would see Craven, Harrogate, Richmondshire and Hambleton join together to form a unitary council in the west, and Selby, City of York, Ryedale and Scarborough join together to form a unitary council in the east.

Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Coun Carl Les, said: “The support for our proposal is undeniable and just common sense for North Yorkshire – that is what we are hearing. Our partners and the public have spoken to us with passion about the need to deliver the necessary change in the most effective way to minimise disruption and maximise the benefits to people and businesses right across the county.

“Our report, which is more than 100 pages long, details the support for our proposals to protect the county’s brand, further strengthen public services and deliver a revolution in community empowerment. It is now a matter of public record and sits alongside our very detailed case for change.

“It outlines, with transparency, the polls, surveys, broad engagement with the public and our staff, targeted focus groups – including youth and disability groups – sector webinars and working groups that have helped officers to finalise our submission.”

While writing for the Yorkshire Post, Ryedale leader Keane Duncan said: “We are proposing two authorities, just like the county bid. But our two are genuinely attuned to the big challenges we face, rather than accepting and perpetuating them.

“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get change right and we want to seize it, breaking boundaries, confronting self interest and shattering empires along the way.”

He said: “The audacity of our proposal infuriated some. We have riled establishment figures and disrupted what was meant to be a ‘done deal’ by consulting, listening and reflecting on feedback. The result is a credible, effective and grassroots bid that can be delivered by 2023.”

The Government will now choose its preferred option before opening a public consultation.