North Yorkshire business leaders back "huge" potential Government devolution deal

Widespread support from organisations and the public has been gathered as the Government is set to be asked to forge ahead with plans to bring a host of benefits including new jobs, more affordable housing and measures to tackle climate change to North Yorkshire.

Hundreds of residents, businesses and charity and voluntary organisations took part in the biggest public consultation ever undertaken by councils in North Yorkshire to collect the public’s views on a proposed devolution deal.

Members of North Yorkshire County Council’s executive will meet next week when they are due to endorse plans to send the results of the public engagement to Ministers to progress proposals to create a mayoral combined authority, which is due to be established towards the end of this year.

The combined authority is set to be overseen by an influential metro mayor elected under the proposed devolution deal, co-ordinating key strategic projects ranging from major transport improvements and boosting skills and education to providing more affordable housing in York and North Yorkshire.

Members of the county council’s executive will meet on Tuesday next week (February 14) to discuss a report outlining the consultation results. If they approve the report, it will be discussed at a full council meeting later this month before a decision is made to send the results to the Government.

The leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Carl Les, commented: “The prospect of a devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire is a huge opportunity that will bring benefits to hundreds of thousands of people that will be felt for generations to come.

“We have the opportunity to take greater control of our futures, with greater prosperity through new jobs and better skills and education and the chance to tackle long-standing issues such as a lack of affordable housing and the growing threat of climate change.

“To have so many people taking part in the public engagement is very welcome, as it shows the interest that is there on the proposed devolution deal. The responses will be carefully considered by the county council before a decision is taken to submit the results of the engagement to the Government.”

The engagement was conducted under the Let’s Talk banner, which asked for the public’s views on the proposed devolution deal as well as how the new North Yorkshire Council, which will launch on April 1, will serve local communities and also its financial priorities.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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