Poll cards are being sent to more than 600,000 voters from tomorrow (Wednesday, March 27) for the York and North Yorkshire mayor election.

The county will go to the polls on Thursday, May 2, to vote for the first elected mayor for York and North Yorkshire.

The mayor, who will be paid £81,300 a year, will oversee the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, which launched on February 1.

The devolution deal includes an investment fund totalling £540 million over 30 years.

The mayor will also take on the responsibilities of the police, fire and crime commissioner for York and North Yorkshire, who is responsible for holding the chief constable and chief fire officer to account.

The commissioner also sets policing and crime priorities and oversees the police budget.

North Yorkshire Council chief executive, Richard Flinton will be the combined authority’s returning officer for the election, as well as the local returning officer for North Yorkshire.

He urged people not to under-estimate how important the election is:

Photo ID required

• Felicity Cunliffe-Lister — Liberal Democrats


• Keane Duncan — Conservative Party


• Kevin Foster — Green Party


• Paul Haslam — Independent


• David Skaith — Labour Party


• Keith Tordoff — Independent

Read more:

• Explained: How will North Yorkshire’s mayor work?


• Many North Yorkshire residents ‘unaware about incoming mayoral combined authority’


• North Yorkshire mayor to be paid £81,300