Harrogate councillors back merger of authorities in devolution plan

HARROGATE BOROUGH Council’s cabinet has backed a bid to merge the authority with Craven, Hambleton and Richmondshire as part of a move linked to devolution.

Cabinet members met last night and signalled their support to the plan which would also see

Scarborough, Selby, Ryedale and York combine.

The proposed east/ west split of North Yorkshire is linked to a devolution deal with the Government which said in July that tens of millions of pounds and decision- making powers would be transferred to the region – but only if the current two- tier council system is scrapped.

Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, last night won the unanimous backing of cabinet members to submit the proposal to Government and will seek further support at a full council meeting tomorrow. #

He said: “I can’t underestimate the amount of work that has gone into building these proposals.

“It’s a really strong, evidencebased piece of work and very clearly identifies the east/ west model being the most appropriate.”

Mr Sampson said the proposal – drawn up by the seven district council leaders in North Yorkshire – could save up to £ 56m a year. Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County Council is proposing one unitary authority to run the entire region in a move that it claims will give annual savings of between £ 50m and £ 67m.

The county council will also meet tomorrow to approve its submission ahead of the November 9 deadline for all authorities to send their proposals to the Government.