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21
Jul 2021
Government chooses single super authority to replace Harrogate council
A single super council looks set to replace Harrogate Borough Council in the biggest shake-up in local government in North Yorkshire since the 1970s.
Government ministers have opted for one unitary council for North Yorkshire, which will see the remaining districts and county council scrapped.
The decision will come as bitter disappointment for those who backed an east//west model for the county, which was proposed by the district councils. Local MP Andrew Jones and Unison Harrogate branch were among those who supported the model.
It follows two models being submitted to government for consideration.
Read more:
- What will one super council for North Yorkshire look like?
- Harrogate Parish Council could be created after devolution shake-up
Both North Yorkshire County Council and the districts submitted opposing plans. The district authorities' plan would have seen the county split in half with one council in the east and another in the west.
However, the government announced today that its preferred option is a sole council for the entire county with City of York remaining in place.
Ministers said the move followed consultation with residents, businesses and local authorities.
Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Local Government, said he had asked local councils to now work "collaboratively and constructively" to establish the new unitary council.
Mr Jenrick said:
In order to establish the council, a draft structural order will be laid before parliament at the turn of the year.
The government said this will include transitional arrangements, including for elections in May 2022 to the new authority.
Currently, North Yorkshire County Council is responsible for services including social care, education and highways, while district and borough councils look after the likes of planning, licensing and bin collections.
Under the unitary authority, those services will be transferred over to the new council.
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