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04
Aug 2022
Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have called for a public vote over a £540 million devolution deal which was announced this week.
The historic deal for North Yorkshire and York was signed by government and county council officials on Monday and comes with an elected mayor for the region.
But opposition Liberal Democrat councillors have said residents should be “allowed to make their own decision” over whether to accept the deal.
Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the party on Harrogate Borough Council, said the agreement concentrated “too much power into the hands of one person”.
She said:
The deal, which was signed by Greg Clark, secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, will see the county given £540 million over 30 years.
It will also see a combined authority set up and the creation of a mayor, who is expected to be elected in May 2024.
Councillors on both North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council will be given a vote over whether to accept the deal in the coming months.
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