‘Smaller deal would better understand rural areas’

IF A plan for city region mayors along the lines of Greater Manchester and Liverpool is to gain traction in Yorkshire, it would likely include a York City Region taking in some, if not all, of rural North Yorkshire and the city itself.

In a column last year, Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake, inset, was joined by Sheffield MP Clive Betts in advocating the arrangement, which they said would “more closely understand and appreciate the needs of those rural and urban communities” than a region-wide deal.

A local enterprise partnership promoting economic growth already exists for North Yorkshire and the East Riding, but as with other city deals, the sticking point might be which districts are included and which are left out.

City of York, Craven, Selby and Harrogate are already part of the Leeds City Region and their leaders may prefer to face towards the bigger economy of West Yorkshire rather than align themselves with coastal and rural North Yorkshire. Reflecting on this week’s letter from James Brokenshire, Mr Hollinrake said: “This may appear to be a blow to Yorkshire’s devolution dreams but there is a better option and I hope everyone will come together to support it.

“City regions are proven to be the most effective way to drive productivity. Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, is a great example of how an effective leader who is passionate about his area can revitalise a smaller but economically-connected area.”