Union chiefs back single county council

UNION LEADERS in North Yorkshire have entered the debate over the future of local government in the county by backing the idea for a single new unitary council.

The North Yorkshire branch of Unison says a single authority for the county would be the best option for services and staff, compared to the alternatives being put forward.

The Government has invited councils in North Yorkshire to submit proposals to create unitary or single- tier authorities, to pave the way for a mayoral- led combined authority, with devolution as the prize.

That means that the current seven district councils and single county council would be replaced by one authority or more delivering all public services.

North Yorkshire County Council has set out a plan to bring all district and county services under one new organisation covering the existing county boundaries and delivering all services to everyone in the county.

District and borough councils say this would be too big and undemocratic. They have put forward a proposal to create two new different councils covering North Yorkshire, which would split the county in two.

The North Yorkshire branch of Unison says the county council’s proposal would offer the least disruption to services, residents and staff working for all the organisations involved.

Wendy Nichols, Branch Secretary for the North Yorkshire branch of Unison, representing over 5,500 members who work predominantly for North Yorkshire County Council, Hambleton District Council, Richmondshire District Council, and Selby District Council, said: “Our collective view is that the county council’s proposal is best- placed to protect existing services and staff.”