The leader of North Yorkshire County Council has said he is “hopeful” of a government decision on a planned shake-up of local councils this month.
Ministers are currently considering two proposals for the county, both of which would see Harrogate Borough Council and the county council no longer exist.
Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, described the shake-up as the biggest change in local government in the county since 1974.
The county council’s proposal would see one unitary authority for North Yorkshire, while the district councils’ model would see two authorities operate on an east/west split.
Cllr Les told the Stray Ferret the county was currently “in limbo” and he was hopeful of a decision before parliament goes into recess on July 22.
He said:
“I’m optimistic that the minister will sign up to our model. That is the one that we believe is best for the county.
“I’m hopeful that a decision will be made any time in the next weeks.”
Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, invited councils to submit proposals for the reorganisation back in October.
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At the time, the government said any unitary council plan would aim to be established by April 2023
However, the government has yet to announce a decision on which proposal it prefers.
The Stray Ferret asked the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government when it intended to make a decision and what the timetable would be for implementation.
A spokesperson for the department said a final decision on which model to back would be announced “in due course” along with publication of consultation responses.
