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26
Sept
Mayor Watch: Tourist tax pledges and police facial recognition rollout
Each month, the Stray Ferret analyses the activity of the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, and his deputy mayor for policing, Jo Coles.
We look at their decisions, their public and online presence and their use of money by both politicians.
In September, the government announced plans to give mayors the powers to impose a tourist tax to help raise local revenue.
Mr Skaith, who had already published a report analysing how such a levy could be introduced in North Yorkshire, welcomed the move and pledged to keep any tax below 5%.
The Labour mayor also weighed in on proposals for a Yorkshire-wide police force — which has been rumoured as part of the government’s police reforms.
Meanwhile, Ms Coles responded to North Yorkshire Police’s planned rollout of facial recognition technology and urged the force to use the equipment “fairly and transparently”.
Here is what else we found after analysing their online presence.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, pictured at the Great Yorkshire Show.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire
What did he do?
On September 7, a report into a tourist tax for North Yorkshire, which was commissioned by Mayor Skaith, was published.
The report recommended that a flat-rate of £1 per night levy could raise up to £26 million a year for the region.
Three days later, the government announced its plans to give mayors the power to impose a visitor levy. But the announcement included the stipulation that any charge impose must be on a percentage basis.
Following the news, Mr Skaith said it was “good to have more clarity” on what a visitor levy would look like.
On September 15, the Labour mayor pledged to cap a tourist tax at 5%, if the charge was introduced in North Yorkshire.
Mayor David Skaith talking to businesses at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate about his plans for a visitor levy in York and North Yorkshire
Despite his report previously recommending a flat rate, he said that a percentage rate was “probably a fairer way of delivering it”.
Meanwhile, on September 16, Mr Skaith weighed in on the debate over a Yorkshire-wide police force, which could be introduced under the government’s review of the country’s 43 police forces.
The Labour mayor told a combined authority overview and scrutiny meeting that he was opposed to any move to merge forces in Yorkshire.
He said he was concerned that such a force would pull resources for rural policing away from North Yorkshire into urban areas, such as Leeds and Sheffield.
On September 21, in a joint letter with Ms Coles, Mr Skaith wrote to the Home Secretary setting out our concerns about a planned asylum centre at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
In a video clip on his Facebook page on September 24, he planned to sign a Statutory Notice of Intent to start the process towards a bus franchising model in York and North Yorkshire.
He said the move did not necessarily mean the combined authority will franchise the bus network, but that it would be the “start of a journey” towards a franchise model.
What decisions did he make?
On September 11, the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority cabinet, which Mr Skaith chairs, agreed a new bus service improvement plan for North Yorkshire.
The combined authority is assuming control of transport from North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council as part of government devolution plans.
The cabinet agreed to adopt a bus service improvement plan, which transport authorities are obliged to produce setting out a vision for transforming local bus networks.
On the same date, the Labour mayor launched a £400,000 “cradle to career” fund which aims to support young people from early years through to employment.
What else?
Mr Skaith’s personal expenses and diary has not been updated with claims since January 29, 2026, according to the mayor’s transparency data.
His register of gifts and hospitality has also not been updated since September 27, 2025.
A spokesperson for the mayor’s office told the Stray Ferret previously that Mr Skaith’s disclosures are published quarterly for the preceding quarter. The disclosures for February, March and April were due to be published in August.
The Stray Ferret asked the combined authority if it had anything further it wished to add to Mr Skaith’s activity.
In a statement, the mayor said:
I want to thank the communities across Boroughbridge, Ripon, and Pateley Bridge who brought so much energy to the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain earlier this month. Major events showcase our beautiful county and bring real footfall to our high streets.
We want to bring more of these special events to our cities, towns, and villages, but hosting them costs money. That’s why a visitor levy is so important for us. A small contribution from overnight visitors could make a big difference, creating a sustainable way to fund future events without placing the burden on local taxpayers.
Sport changed my life growing up, giving me confidence and resilience. That’s why we’re investing directly in local grassroots movement, by supporting women and girls’ rugby in Ripon, youth cricket in Killinghall, and dementia-friendly movement classes across the county with Dementia Forward.
As a father of two young children, I know the joy, challenges, and anxieties that come with welcoming a new life into the world. I am immensely proud that we are bringing both the Baby Box and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to North Yorkshire this month. By backing our local clubs, volunteers, and young families, we are giving our children the best possible foundations from cradle to career.
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing.
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing
What did she do?
On September 4, Ms Coles called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to put place at the heart of policing reforms.
Her comments came as talk of a Yorkshire-wide force heightened in recent months as the government continued its review into the country’s police forces.
Ms Coles also weighed in on the government’s proposals for the early release of some prisoners.
In a statement on September 8, she called for safeguards to be introduced as part of the scheme.
On September 18, the deputy mayor said she had sought reassurances after North Yorkshire Police announced it would roll out facial recognition technology.
The force planned to use the technology in York city centre on September 23.
What decisions did she make?
Ms Coles made no formal decisions in September, according to the Office for Policing, Fire and Crime transparency details. Her last one was on July 17.
What else?
On the Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning website, personal expenses for Ms Coles are published monthly.
The office published expenses claims for June this year, which are the most recent data available.
In June, Ms Coles claimed £4 for a car parking ticket in Scarborough on June 23 for an event.
Meanwhile, she also claimed 526 miles in mileage in June which included events in Manchester, Thirsk, Scarborough, Harrogate and Malton.
The Stray Ferret approached York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to ask if it had anything further it wished to add to Ms Coles’ activity, but we had not received a response by the time of publication.
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