A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
As devolution deal unveiled, what does it mean and what comes next?
The prospect of a long-awaited devolution deal will bring a raft of benefits ranging from new and better-paid jobs to more affordable housing for hundreds of thousands of people, according to North Yorkshire County Council leader Carl Les.
Proposals for devolution were unveiled this month to give a greater say for local politicians in York and North Yorkshire to improve prosperity, provide better skills and education and boost transport links across England’s largest county.
The shift of decision-making powers from Westminster to York and North Yorkshire along with millions of pounds in funding would also see the introduction of an influential mayor who would become a figurehead for the region and forge close links with the Government.
The proposed 30-year deal includes total funding of more than £540m, which has been guaranteed by the Government.
Cllr Les said he believed the benefits from devolution would be felt for generations to come, as the proposed deal would evolve to bring more funding and decisionmaking powers through future negotiations with the Government.
He added: “The opportunities which a devolution deal will bring to both York and North Yorkshire cannot be overstated.
“This really is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to bring greater parity for the region, allowing us to have more decision-making powers and a greater say on where money can be directed and spent to benefit the hundreds of thousands of people who live and work in York and North Yorkshire. I truly believe this proposed deal is one that will work for everyone, tackling a wide range of issues from improving skills and education to bringing in more investment, helping improve transport links and providing much-needed affordable housing.
“The vital services
provided by councils in York and North Yorkshire – from road maintenance and school transport to planning and home care – will continue, and the proposed devolution deal would allow major projects to be developed.”
The proposed deal would be the first in the country to focus on a vast rural region, allowing the chance to tackle ingrained problems for countryside communities, as well as establishing an investment fund with £18m available annually.
Cllr Steve Siddons, leader of Scarborough Borough
Council, said: “Devolution could be transformative for North Yorkshire and York provided all parts of the county are able to fairly benefit from the devolved decision making and spending allocations. Our urban and rural coastal areas have very different economic and social challenges to other parts of North Yorkshire. Any devolution deal must recognise this and work hard to maximise opportunities for all communities, and engage in meaningful and constructive conversation with them.”
Details of the deal were announced on August 1 to
coincide with Yorkshire Day, and there is a particular focus on evolving North Yorkshire’s traditional industries, such as farming, while embracing new sectors such as green technology. A key element of the proposed deal would be to bolster the local economy and attract a wave of new enterprise.
The new mayor for York and North Yorkshire, who would be elected in May 2024 if the proposed deal comes to fruition, would lead a new powerful combined authority, which would oversee strategic projects ranging from major transport improvements and boosting skills and education to providing more affordable housing and supporting action to reduce harmful carbon emissions.
The opportunities a devolution deal will bring to both York and North Yorkshire cannot be overstated