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03
Sept 2020
Just 22 people tune into district's first devolution event
Just 22 people tuned into the first public engagement event about the future of local government held by the seven district councils in North Yorkshire.
The seven councils are staging a series of online events on Zoom for the public to find out more about their proposed east/west model for a restructure of local government.
The government is keen to extend devolution but in July ministers made it a requirement to reduce the number of councils before it could happen.
The district councils want an east/west model but North Yorkshire County Council would prefer a single unitary authority.
Among the 22 online for the event were Keane Duncan, the leader of Ryedale District Council and members of the public. Further events will be held this month specifically aimed at businesses and community groups.
Read more:
- Yorkshire councils battle for support over devolution visions
- Districts to launch alternative council reorganisation bid
- ‘Double devolution’ for parish councils, under county council plan
Cllr Duncan gave a presentation and answered residents' concerns about issues such as the future of highways, children’s services, adult social care and libraries, which are currently run by NYCC.
Cllr Duncan said the model proposed by the districts would bring services "closer to people", have stronger democratic representation and have scope for shared services between the two councils.
Under the district councils' plans, the west authority would serve Harrogate, Craven, Hambleton and Richmondshire while the east would cover York, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby.
The west authority would cover 363,000 residents and the east authority would cover 465,000 people.
Officials said this would meet the threshold of around 400,000 set by Simon Clarke, local government minister, back in July.
Cllr Duncan said the plan would save £56 million a year and meet the government’s requirements for the restructure.
He said:
NYCC's alternative proposal for a single authority, alongside City of York, would cover 610,000 residents.
Last week, the county council revealed a “double devolution” model under its proposal which would see town and parishes councils receive more funding and powers.
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