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Sept 2020

Last Updated: 28/09/2020

Politics

'No worse time' for devolution, say council leaders

by Thomas Barrett

| 28 Sept, 2020

North Yorkshire's seven district and borough council leaders, including Harrogate's Richard Cooper, have urged the Prime Minister to focus on fighting Covid rather than reorganising local government.

Harrogate Borough Council offices at Knapping Mount.

North Yorkshire's seven district and borough council leaders, including Harrogate's Richard Cooper, have written to the Prime Minister saying there "could not be a worse time" for local government reorganisation due to the worsening Covid situation.

Ministers told council leaders in the county in July to draw up plans for devolution ahead of a White Paper in autumn.

But speculation is mounting that the government might put its devolution plans on hold.

Hambleton council leader Cllr Mark Robson, writing on behalf of all of North Yorkshire's district and borough council leaders, urged the government to press ahead with devolving powers to the county even if it does not reorganise local government,

Cllr Robson said:

"There is no doubt the Covid situation has worsened nationwide and this will inevitably put extra pressure and new demands on district and borough councils to further support our communities and businesses as we work through this crisis together.

"Let me be clear, this critical responsibility must come first, and we must not be distracted by an unnecessary, resource-intensive and ill-timed local government reorganisation.

"The letter we have sent makes this point in the strongest possible terms and we look forward to the government response with what we hope is a sensible and realistic way forward for North Yorkshire in these difficult times."

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North Yorkshire devolution could be ‘at risk’, says county council leader

Last week, Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret he was still “hopeful” that a devolution deal could be put on the table.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said:

"We have set out a clear commitment to level up all areas of the country by empowering our regions through devolving money, resources and control away from Westminster.

"We are considering a range of options and will set out our detailed plans in the White Paper that will be published in due course."

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'No worse time' for devolution, say council leaders

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