Subscribe to trusted local news
If you are accessing this story via Facebook but you are a subscriber then you will be unable to access the story. Facebook wants you to stay and read in the app and your login details are not shared with Facebook. If you experience problems with accessing the news but have subscribed, please contact subscriptions@thestrayferret.co.uk. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
10
May 2022
New councillors urged to back creation of North Yorkshire Mayor
There have been fresh calls to create a mayor for North Yorkshire following the election of new councillors last week.
Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, has written to each of the county's 91 newly elected councillors urging them to back a devolution deal that includes the creation of a metro mayor.
Mr Murison, who went to school in Boroughbridge and Harrogate, said the move could unlock "a huge amount" of funding for the county, with the mayor responsible for allocating much of it.
He or she would assume control over areas such as transport and economic development for the whole of North Yorkshire. The mayoral office could also swallow up the role of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Mr Murison's letter, which has been shared with the Stray Ferret, said:
Read more:
- Conservative leader says ‘send Boris a message theme was clear’ in local elections
- Harrogate district village wins eight-year battle for more planning control
The government's Levelling Up White Paper was published in February and cited the creation of strong, local mayors as a key part of its levelling up agenda.
It said the government would open up negotiations over a devolution deal, including a mayor, with leaders at North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council. However, a deal is yet to be signed off.
York council is run by the Liberal Democrats whereas NYCC is controlled by the Conservatives.
"Metro mayors are needed"
Labour's Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester is often cited as an example of a mayor who has used his platform to win more funding from government and put a spotlight on the region.
Conservatives mayor for Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, has also built a strong reputation for making the most of his region's devolution deal.
But others, like Bristol's Labour mayor Marvin Rees, have been divisive. Bristol residents voted last week in a referendum to scrap the position from 2024.
Mr Murison added:
0