North Yorkshire would be better served with two unitary councils in the north and south of the county, says Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party.
The local Labour group said while it supports devolved powers for the county, it does not agree with county council proposals for a single authority under restructure plans.
It comes as ministers have set a requirement to reorganise the make-up of local councils ahead of any devolution bid.
But Harrogate’s opposition parties, including the Liberal Democrats, have objected to the proposal for a one unitary council which would see Harrogate Borough Council and the other six districts scrapped.
Read more:
- Yorkshire councils battle for support over devolution visions
- Districts to launch alternative council reorganisation bid
- County to draw up plans for single North Yorkshire council
The local Labour group suggested a divided structure which would see urban areas, such as Harrogate and York, under one council and rural areas in the north under another.
It said a plan for a single authority would be too big and remote for the county.
A spokesperson for Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party said:
“Harrogate and Knaresborough Constituency Labour Party welcomes the idea of devolution of powers from central government to York and North Yorkshire as long as the budgetary devolution promises made by central government are adhered to for the foreseeable future.
“However, it totally opposes the idea of one authority based in Northallerton, as this would be too large and remote from the majority of a widely scattered population. There needs to be a geographical as well as economic reality in any proposal.”
Districts leaders, led by Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper, have described county plans as “unworkable”, while county leaders have issued statements with endorsements from the likes of Durham and assurances from government ministers.
The campaigns to gather support are expected to continue for the next few weeks as both camps have until September to submit formal proposals to ministers.
Devolution in other shire counties
Over the Humber Bridge and into Lincolnshire, a similar battle over devolution and government restructure is taking place.
Much like North Yorkshire, the county is made up of a county council and seven district authorities. However, it also has two unitary councils in the North and North East.
As part of a devolution bid, the Conservative-led Lincolnshire County Council and its two counterparts may divide the county up under a proposed restructure.
It could see the county and its residents governed by one council in the north and another in the south.
This, as in North Yorkshire, would see the districts scrapped. As a result, leaders of the seven districts feel aggrieved and have complained of a lack of engagement from county hall.
But the message from government is that any devolution in both of the shire counties will not come until its council structure is changed.
