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09
Oct 2020
Government invites North Yorkshire councils to submit restructure plans
The government has invited councils in North Yorkshire to submit plans for a shake-up of local government in the county, which would see Harrogate Borough Council and other district authorities scrapped.
Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, invited leaders from North Yorkshire County Council and the seven districts to submit plans today.
It comes as ministers made it a requirement back in July that district councils and county council were abolished in favour of unitary councils before any devolution bid could be lodged.
The government said any unitary council plan would aim to be established by April 2023.
Read More:
- Lib Dems call for secret North Yorkshire devolution report to be published
- “No worse time for devolution” say District Council leaders
County council bosses have already outlined plans for a single council for North Yorkshire alongside the City of York, while the districts have proposed two councils in the east and west of the county.
Both proposals would mean Harrogate Borough Council would no longer exist.
Now, council leaders will be able to submit the plans to government who will then consult with the public on a preferred option after each model has been considered.
Mr Jenrick said restructuring local government would help to save money and improve services.
He said:
The decision comes as Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, had written to Mr Jenrick urging for clarity on the future of devolution.
Meanwhile, district leaders had called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to delay any devolution policy amid the coronavirus crisis.
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