Elected mayors will need power to raise cash, warns think-tank

‘Significant support’ for compromise

A RADICAL and united approach to devolution is needed to ensure elected mayors are given the powers and resources required to make a tangible difference, a think-tank has warned.

Policy Yorkshire called for a new assumption in favour of devolving powers.

One key recommendations is that powers should be matched by giving mayors the ability to raise and spend the money they need in policy areas that they are responsible for.

This, said the think-tank, would prevent the need for them to go “cap in hand” to Whitehall, but such a move would require a “concerted effort” to prove the region can handle new powers and raise and spend money responsibly.

The paper follows a webinar organised by Policy Yorkshire last year on how to improve Yorkshire’s voice in Westminster, with speakers including the former head of the civil service Lord Kerslake and Yorkshire-born former Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles.

The region is currently split, with a mayor in place in South Yorkshire and elections to be held in West Yorkshire in May. In North and East Yorkshire, proposals are being debated, with the deputy leader of one council calling for a new authority to be created.

Given the present picture, Policy Yorkshire warns it is “vital” that mayors have parity in respect of the powers that they hold.

“The very real danger is that without this it will be difficult to ensure the kind of collaboration that is crucial to the region’s success,” its report says.

The region must present a voice of “unity” following warnings that divisions undermine its standing and ability to be heard, the report adds.

Additionally, it calls for a campaign to raise awareness of the concept of directly elected mayors, amid suggestions fewer than a third of people support the idea.

“It is undoubtedly the case that Yorkshire has been battered and bruised over the past few years,” the report concludes.

“We have got to a stage whereby we now have a clearer idea of what devolution will look like.

“It is time for everyone in the region from whatever sector or background to have confidence in the region and what it has to offer.”

A SENIOR councillor has urged Ministers to consider creating a new authority covering the entire population of North Yorkshire and York as part of their controversial local government reforms.

Coun Richard Musgrave, the deputy leader of Selby District Council, says a single authority to replace the existing nine would be a compromise between the rival visions so far presented to the Government.

In a letter to Local Government Minister Luke Hall seen by The Yorkshire Post, Mr Musgrave criticised the two existing proposals for two councils split down east/ west lines or a single authority for North Yorkshire with York left alone. The Conservative, who is also a county councillor, said a single structure for North Yorkshire and York would be easy to understand and save the most money for taxpayers.

He wrote: “The area would be instantly recognisable as a single entity for promotion of tourism and business interests through having an iconic and globally recognisable city at its heart with a network of great market towns – world recognised landscape with two national parks, charismatic coastline and good transport links both by rail and road.”

Coun Musgrave backed the submission of the two rival plans but in his letter to Mr Hall was critical of both. He said the plan to create a North Yorkshire council

without York is “probably the easiest option to implement but is uninspiring and does not address issues facing York”.

He added: “The county council makes much of the success of Durham and Cornwall based on having a city at their heart, but then puts forward a proposal which excludes York.”

On plans for two authorities either side of the A1, one of which would include York, he said this “would inevitably lead to divergence across North Yorkshire”.

He said a council for all of North Yorkshire and York would fit in with the way health, police and fire and rescue services are already provided, as well as the Local Enterprise Partnership.

And he wrote: “I understand that a consultation is due in the early part of this year and urge you to include the option of combining York and North Yorkshire so the benefits of this option can be considered fully – I believe it would have significant support.”

While this suggested council would serve a population of 800,000 people, Coun Musgrave said this was no bigger than for Leeds Council.

He said: “York is the absolute hub of the area in terms of history, in terms of culture, it is the biggest urban area in North Yorkshire. It is the transport hub, so much revolves around York.

“And if you put York with its hinterland you’d have one iconic city and 47 or 48 really great market towns, you’d have a huge rural hinterland including two National Parks. You’d have the North Yorkshire coastline, you’d have the lot.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the proposals are being considered and it will “respond in due course”.

The area would be instantly recognisable as a single entity. Coun Richard Musgrave, deputy leader of Selby District Council.