Devolution’s town hall shake-up

North Yorkshire’s existing authorities must completely change, say Ministers

THE BIGGEST shake-up in local government in a generation will be needed to get a devolution deal for North Yorkshire over the line, Ministers have demanded.

Political leaders in North Yorkshire have looked on with envy as devolution deals unlocking powers and billions of pounds in cash have been signed in West and South Yorkshire since the beginning of the year as Boris Johnson pushed ahead with his levelling up agenda.

But following a meeting with Local Government Minister Simon Clarke, what has been described as a “bun fight” over the structure of local authorities in the region looks set to come to the fore before any deal can be agreed.

North Yorkshire is currently made up of North Yorkshire County Council, which runs services such as social care, transport, and education, then seven district councils running planning, waste collection and other services. York Council stands alone, running all those services as one overarching authority.

The existing arrangement has been in place since local government reorganisation in 1974.

But understands Ministers believe that if another tier of government in the form of a metro mayor is to be introduced, some of the current system will need to be slimmed down, which could involve scrapping district councils.

North Yorkshire County Council previously pushed for a unitary arrangement in the region more than decade ago.

However, the council’s plans were vetoed.

Yesterday Mr Clarke said: “Establishing elected mayors and unitary councils, with the strong accountability they bring, is integral to ensuring that local institutions are fit for any major devolution of powers and budgets.”

But it is understood York Council is considered too small for a stand-alone authority, covering about 200,000 people, and the county council, with about 600,000 residents, would be too large.

The county council’s leader, Coun Carl Les, said: “Linking strong devolution deals to unitary status is the challenge Government has issued.

“We are at a critical time for our county and region and can see the positive opportunities to simplify structures and access to high quality services, strengthen our economy and voice nationally to lobby for greater investment and save significant sums of money.”

A move to a unitary system would threaten the existence of district councils in Craven, Selby, Ryedale, Richmondshire, Scarborough, Harrogate and Hambleton, which are likely to want to stave off job losses and keep control over their own services, which some argue are better delivered on a more local basis.

It is understood the district councils are working on proposals to send to the Government.

Craven District Council’s leader, Coun Richard Foster, said: “Change is most definitely coming. We don’t know where this goes.”

Change is most definitely coming. We don’t know where this goes. Craven District Council’s leader, Coun Richard Foster.