Authorities try to find alternative to ‘mega council’
THE SEVEN leaders of district and borough councils in North Yorkshire have launched a campaign to find an alternative to what they describe as a “mega council” covering the entire county.
The ‘working together to get change right’ campaign has been launched by the leaders of Harrogate, Selby, Ryedale, Hambleton, Richmondshire, Scarborough and Craven councils.
They have been told that to get the benefits of a devolution deal and an elected mayor they must reorganise local government and create one or more unitary authorities providing all services rather than the current two-tier system.
North Yorkshire County Council is working on a proposal for one unitary authority covering the whole county except York, where the existing city council would remain in place
But district leaders say this would be too big and are now working together to put forward alternative proposals for reorganisation, which they say should “maintain close links to communities and ensure residents and businesses still have a voice”.
Richard Foster, leader of Craven District Council, said: “We were in discussions with the Minister earlier this month, and it is clear that the Government is open to granting devolved powers and potentially billions in investment to our area, but only if local government is reorganised first.
“It’s really not a question of ‘if’ reorganisation will happen. It’s more a question of ‘how’. “A mega council, covering the entire North Yorkshire area – the biggest county area in the whole country – has been mooted.
“But we don’t believe that’s workable, or in the best interests of our people, places and economy. Our citizens deserve better, which is why we’re campaigning to create an alternative bid that gets reorganisation right.”
In a letter sent to a national newspaper this week, the leaders called for “good old-fashioned Yorkshire common-sense” to prevail on local government reorganisation, which they say should be centred on workable geographies and an understanding of local communities and economies.