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Aug 2020

Last Updated: 21/08/2020

Politics

'Double devolution' for parish councils, under county council plan

by Calvin Robinson

| 23 Aug, 2020

As the deadline for devolution reorganisation plans edges closer, county council has said parish and town councils would get more funding powers under its plan.

Town and parish councils could be given new powers and funding under North Yorkshire County Council’s plan for council reorganisation ahead of a devolution bid.

Under the authority’s plan, a single council would be created for the county. But council officials said there would also be “double devolution” for parish councils should they want it.

Currently, Scarborough and Harrogate are the only areas without a town or parish council in the county. County council officials said they would support those areas to set up authorities, if it was what local people wanted.

Around 250 local town and parish councillors took part in a seminar held by the county council over its plan and the authority has since set up a working group to explore the proposal with parishes further.

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It comes as both the county council and the seven district authorities have until September to submit plans for a reorganisation of local councils to government ahead of a devolution bid.

Cllr Car Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“I was a parish councillor for many years and I attend parish council meetings. Parish councils are the salt of the earth and I enjoy working closely with them. I have been very impressed over the years with the ambition and achievements of Bedale town council which is the nearest market town to where I have lived all my life and I hope town councils will be interested in taking on more power - but it is up to them.

“We believe this double devolution which passports powers from Whitehall to the town hall and the town hall to the village hall is an exciting prospect. We are seeking more powers from the government, but we want more powers to be devolved to the very local area as well. We want to bring people together to get more things done at a local level.”

As the PR war over devolution continues, district council leaders are preparing an alternative proposal to the county council.

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, previously said the proposal for one authority were "unworkable" and that the seven districts would consult on another proposal.

One of the options from the districts is for two unitary councils, one covering the north of the county and another in the south.

The plans are yet to be formalised, but are expected to go before each of the seven districts ahead of the deadline next month.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“We are working closely with our colleagues at district and borough councils across North Yorkshire so that we can come to an informed and evidence-led decision about a possible alternative model of local government.

“When this work is done, a final business case will be produced, and this will go to our council, and the other district and borough councils, to be voted on, through the usual democratic process.”

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'Double devolution' for parish councils, under county council plan

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