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29
Apr
Mayor in ‘ongoing conversations’ with government over further powers
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is in “ongoing conversations” with government over taking on further powers.
In an interview with the Stray Ferret to mark his first year in office since he was elected on May 2, Labour's David Skaith said he and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority that he oversees aspired to negotiate its devolution deal with Whitehall in the future.
Currently, Mr Skaith has powers over areas such as bus franchising, local transport strategy, housing and adult skills.
However, the responsibilities are limited compared to those of Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which oversees areas such as a joint health and social care budget.
Mr Skaith told the Stray Ferret that he was in conversations with government over the possibility of taking on more powers.
He said:
That is an ongoing conversation. We see where Manchester are, for example, they are really leading the way. All mayors want to get to a single pot of money, instead of it being siloed into each area.
Manchester is just about there. All other mayor and combined authorities want to be there. Having those conversations with government is really key on that.
Mr Skaith said adult skills funding would be one area where more powers could help to achieve the combined authority’s aims.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, on his election day.
The mayor and combined authority will oversee the region's adult skills fund from August this year, which is aimed at helping to equip adults aged 19 and over with the skills to progress into employment, apprenticeships or other learning.
But Mr Skaith said lowering the age of the area would help to keep more people in York and North Yorkshire.
He said:
We’d like more powers over adult skills funding and getting to that at an earlier age. Currently it’s post-19. Having powers over that from a younger age would be really key.
If you’re going to attract people into a certain career path earlier on, you’re going to be able to keep them in our region.
Mr Skaith added that a long-term settlement of funding over transport, which is currently being discussed with government, is also key to the authority’s strategy.
He said:
The main thing is that long-term settlement of funding, particularly around transport. If we get that, then that really buys that opportunity to reinvest long-term into our transport which is what all the other combined authorities have.
The Stray Ferret will feature a full-length interview with David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, on his first-year in charge this weekend.
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