One Yorkshire ambition may still succeed, say council chiefs
LOCAL AUTHORITY leaders left frustrated by years of failed devolution attempts have expressed optimism that a One Yorkshire solution may eventually be accepted in future.
Ahead of devolution talks between North Yorkshire and York council leaders later this week, Conservative sources said Boris Johnson and Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry have dismissed suggestions that the party’s northern general election victories would see the government approve a One Yorkshire deal as it stands.
But other party insiders said the government has not ruled out the One Yorkshire ambition completely and have suggested they might consider a merger of the Yorkshire authorities in the long term if the smaller versions prove successful.
It is understood the Conservative Party’s leadership is nervous about giving another area the amount of power that was granted to Manchester following tensions between the Government and Manchester’s Labour mayor Andy Burnham.
Council leaders said it had
become clear that rather than pursue the One Yorkshire union, which was backed by 18 out of the region’s 20 councils, the government wanted to see separate mayors for South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire and York
We need to start negotiations with some urgency. Carl Les, Leader of North Yorkshire County Council.
as they could be delivered more quickly.
Craven District Council leader Richard Foster said it was clear there was potential for a North Yorkshire and York bid called City of York Region, but said he was maintaining hopes a One Yorkshire solution could be agreed in future.
He said: “We are all interlinked so the idea is the Yorkshire model works best because you do actually get functional geography. But we have had a change of government and potentially have a change of minister in February, but at the same time the previous funding packages all run out in April, so we need to get something in place.”
While some council leaders hope the government’s position has changed due to the election Carl Les, Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said he believed the more localised plans were the only option at the moment.
He said: “We need to start negotiations with some urgency as the whole point about devolution is to improve the situation in areas.”