North Yorkshire single council ‘will make things simpler’, says county council leader

A single super council for the entire of North Yorkshire will “make things simpler”, says the leader of the county council.

The government announced yesterday that North Yorkshire’s two-tier council system will be scrapped and replaced by one unitary authority in what will be the biggest shake-up of local government since the 1970s.

It means Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the remaining districts will no longer exist. However, the City of York Council will remain in place.

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, and Cllr Steve Siddons, leader of Scarborough Borough Council, have both said they were disappointed with the announcement.

The plan put forward by the district authorities they represent would have seen the county split in half, with one council in the east and another in the west.

Cllr Carl Les, Conservative leader of North Yorkshire County Council, whose single super council mode prevailed, said last night:

“We have worked incredibly hard to get to this point because we believe it’s the right thing for North Yorkshire, its people and businesses. Today’s decision allows us to strengthen the services we know matter most to people and ensure they are fit for the future.

“A single council will also make things simpler for everyone – just one number to call, one website, one customer service team and one accountable body delivering all local government services here.

“Support for businesses, high streets and market towns can be aligned more closely with investment in infrastructure like highways and broadband. Planning, housing and health services will be able to provide more joined up support for families and communities.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat leader of City of York Council, welcomed the new that the authority will not be affected by the shake-up.

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Councillors in York voted in October 2020 to reject the notion of a merger and to support City of York’s continuation as a council in its own right.

Cllr Aspden said:

“The government’s decision is a huge vote of confidence for York, its council and recognition of the progress we have achieved with our local partners, businesses and communities.

“From the very beginning of this process, residents and organisations from across the city strongly made the case for York, stressing the need for continuity to support our recovery.”

The move was also welcomed by Unison North Yorkshire, which represents 5,500 council workers across the county.

Wendy Nichols, secretary of the North Yorkshire branch, said district authority employees would be able to transfer to the new authority on current terms and conditions under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations (TUPE).

She said:

“I hope this announcement is welcomed by all members as really positive and that the spirit of professionalism continues as teams across councils work together to deliver a stronger future for everyone’s benefit.”

Census will provide an ‘everlasting picture of North Yorkshire during pandemic’

North Yorkshire residents are being urged to complete their census forms this weekend.

The census survey, which happens every 10 years, gives a snapshot of the population at that time and is used to inform local and national government policy.

Households across the county should have received an invitation to take part in the 2021 version, which includes a new question for armed forces veterans and two voluntary questions about gender identity and sexual orientation.

Data from the census will be available in 2022 but no personal data will be released for 100 years.

Sunday is census day and people are being urged to complete the survey, which takes about 20 minutes, as soon as possible after then although it can be done now.

County council leader Carl Les said:

“Everyone benefits from the census. It informs decisions nationally and locally on vital services and issues.

“Ultimately, it ensures millions of pounds are invested in emergency services, mental health care, school places, hospital beds, houses, roads, GPs’ and dentists’ services based on the information people give.

“That’s why it is important to complete the census – to ensure an accurate picture exists to help us to direct our funds and services to the right places.”

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Ruth Dyble, census engagement manager at the Office for National Statistics, said the census would provide “an everlasting picture of North Yorkshire during a pandemic”. She added:

“It’s a great thing to do as a family and quick and easy to complete. I would encourage everyone to make sure their voice is heard and leave a record for future generations.”

 

 

 

County council proposes 3.49% council tax hike

North Yorkshire County Council looks set to increase council tax by 3.49%, which would increase its share of the bill to £1,411 for an average band D property in 2021/22.

The proposal, which has been recommended by council officers, includes a 1.99% increase in general council tax and a 1.5% increase in the adult social care precept.

County council bosses have also proposed to use £8.2 million from its own funds to offset a shortfall next year.

It comes as the council faces financial pressures due to coronavirus and loss of government funding.

The authority has estimated a shortfall of £59 million by 2023/24 and has already spent £82 million in responding to the pandemic.

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A report due before senior councillors next week written by Richard Flinton, chief executive, and Gary Fielding, corporate director for strategic resources, said the county council faces uncertainty in the coming year.

It said the council faces various risks, including a lack of funding beyond March 2021, a likely increase in demand for services, potential rising costs, a need for further savings and the potential reorganisation of local government in the county.

The report added that while continued use of reserves was not sustainable, it will be a “crucial component” for the upcoming budget in light of the coronavirus crisis and other uncertainties. It added:

“The council has performed well in responding to austerity and has taken earlier decisions in order to ensure that it is ahead of the curve and not pushed into short term decisions.

“A good level of reserves has been maintained and this will now be a crucial component of the budget strategy.

“Given the essential emphasis on responding to covid, recovering from covid, preparing for local government reorganisation and diminishing returns on savings programmes after a decade of austerity, there is much less scope for new and significant savings proposals.

“Reserves are therefore key to ensuring that a medium term approach to planning can take place.”

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said:

“We hope to be clearer later in the year about the legacy of covid, the government’s decision on local government reorganisation in North Yorkshire and the future of council funding beyond 2022.

“The times have never been so uncertain, and given these uncertainties it is critical that the council maintains as much flexibility as possible in order to protect vital services whilst being able to respond to further potential shocks.

“We understand that residents are facing many difficulties in the light of covid. We also understand just how vital some of the council’s services are to the most vulnerable in society.”

Senior councillors on the authority’s executive will decide whether to refer the budget plan to full council on January 26.

The final council tax bill will be based on sums demanded by Harrogate Borough Council and the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner as well as the county council.

The news comes as Harrogate Borough Council has proposed to increase its share of council tax by £5.

Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, is expected to reveal the precepts for both the fire and police service at a later date.

 

£2 billion devolution negotiations kickstart as councils submit proposals

North Yorkshire and York council leaders have kick-started negotiations over a £2.4 billion devolution deal with government after submitting proposals.

Authority bosses in the county have formally tabled a list of “asks” to government which outline billions of pounds worth of spending power in areas like transport, housing and skills.

The deal, should it be agreed, would also see a directly elected mayor for the county.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret that council leaders agreed to submit the requests, but without support from Hambleton District Council.

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Hambleton had previously refused to support the proposals until a government white paper on devolution was published. However, the paper has yet to be published by ministers.

But, Cllr Les said councils could not longer delay submitting the proposals.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, who has ruled himself out of being a future Mayor of North Yorkshire.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council. Picture: North Yorkshire County Council.

He said:

“The leaders decided that they were going to submit without unanimous agreement.

“Every day we delay on the asks, we delay on the negotiations of the asks. It would have been better with an unanimous decision, but it was best we got a majority.”

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the government was considering the proposals and would respond “in due course”.

The “asks” document is intended to start negotiations with government over what the county wants from a devolution deal. It is separate from the proposals for local government reorganisation and how the new authority or authorities would be structured.

It comes as ministers made it a requirement for councils who want devolved powers to scrap the two tier system in their areas.

£2 billion in spending power

Following initial discussions with ministers in in early 2020, council bosses have written up a 140-page document which outlines £2.4 billion worth of spending and proposals to take back further powers from Westminster.

More powers over transport, skills, regeneration and energy are included in the submission, as well as a mayoral funding pot worth £750 million over 25 years.

Further funding proposals include a five-year transport settlement worth £250 million, £520 million of devolved funding for fibre connectivity, and a £230 million fund for the new mayor to share between the county’s towns.

A directly elected mayor, who would have powers over areas such as transport planning, transport budget and bus franchising, is also included in the proposals.

What happens now?

Council leaders will now discuss the proposals for more spending and powers with ministers from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Treasury.

A deal will then be put forward by the government at a later date. This will go back before councils to be agreed.

‘No intention’ of becoming mayor, says county council leader

One of North Yorkshire’s most senior councillors has ruled himself out of standing for mayor in the county after devolution.

Cllr Carl Les, 71, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret the position required a younger, energetic politician to bat for the county and lobby Westminster.

A key player in driving the county towards devolution and shaking up the structure of local government, Cllr Les said he hoped government would return with its preferred council model early in the new year.

In a wide-ranging interview, he stressed the need for investment in the county and his frustration at the delay in kickstarting negotiations with government over more powers.

“Every week that we delay putting to government is a weeks delay in getting the investment of the asks.

“We are falling behind in capital investment in this region.”

Shake-up of North Yorkshire’s councils

The biggest restructure of local government in the county since 1974 should take a further step in the New Year, Cllr Les hopes.

North Yorkshire County Council submitted its plan for a single council last Friday, while district leaders have tabled an alternative.

It means the ball is rolling and spells the end for the county’s seven district authorities and county council.

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Cllr Les said the government hopes to come back to the county with its preferred option early in the New Year, before it embarks on a 10-week consultation.

Creating a new authority is a prerequisite to devolving power from Westminster, ministers told council bosses earlier this year.

Cllr Les said both devolution and scrapping of the two-tier system go hand-in-hand. It remains the case that the government wants a single tier council before it offers a directly elected mayor and more cash. He said:

“I have not been told that that has changed.”

Frustrations over devolution

Before the county can receive any powers over such things as transport and housing, it has to submit a list of requests.

Known as the devolution “asks”, it kickstarts the negotiations between council leaders and ministers over a devolution deal.

The 140-page document, agreed by seven out of the nine councils so far, outlines £2 billion worth of spending power for the county.

But both Ryedale and Hambleton have yet to agree to table the plan to ministers.

While it does not technically require every council to agree, council leaders wanted each authority to support the bid. Cllr Les said the lack of consensus was frustrating.

“Every week that we delay putting to government is a week’s delay in getting the investment of the asks.

“We are falling behind in capital investment in this region and there will have to be a frank discussion on how long we can wait.

“The really frustrating thing is that we can understand someone’s reticence to sign onto something as a last chance, but this is only the start. There will be opportunities later in the process.

“Let’s just get on with it, we cannot just carry on dropping behind just because some people have reticence about it.”

No appetite to be mayor

While Cllr Les has pressed leaders on the need for devolved powers, he has no intention of stepping into the role of elected mayor that comes with it.

Despite being leader of the county council for five years, he said the role needs someone “energetic”.

He pointed to Ben Houchen, the 33-year-old Conservative mayor of Tees Valley, as an example.

At 71, Cllr Les said he felt he was capable of carrying out his current duties but not a new role as mayor.

He said:

“I have no intention of putting my name forward.

“You need a lot of energy to be leader of the council, but I know that I can carry off my responsibilities.

“You would need to be very energetic to take on that role.”

While he may not be interested in becoming mayor, he said he will consider standing as councillor on the potential new authority in the county.

Cllr Les said it is possible that he will be the last leader of the county council, but added it was too early to tell if he would be part of a new authority.

“I will reflect on it nearer to the time. Let’s take things one step at a time.”

Harrogate district misses out on mass coronavirus tests

North Yorkshire was not included in a government list today of local authority areas that will receive mass coronavirus tests, which deliver results in less than an hour.

The Department of Health and Social Care announced a batch of more than 600,000 quick turnaround test kits will be sent to 67 local authorities — about half of the total in England.

The first 10,000 will be sent this week and will be followed by further weekly allocations. Each area will decide which priority groups to test.

Some parts of Yorkshire, including Calderdale, Kingston upon Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire were included.

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But North Yorkshire was not on the list.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret council bosses will discuss tomorrow whether or not to bid to be included in the next phase of the mass testing programme.

He added the county would be a “good experiment” for the government because it is so big.

Cllr Les said:

“It would be a good area to prove a point, whether or not it would be a great benefit for North Yorkshire residents is another thing.”

The government said the areas chosen for the first phase of the rollout were based on locations with a “local prevalence of covid” and those that expressed an interest.

Liverpool pilot

Ministers rolled out the first rapid tests in Liverpool last week.

More than 23,000 people were tested in the city across 18 test centres, including Liverpool’s Anfield stadium. Of the number, 154 people tested positive.

Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said the rollout was designed to expand testing for those who are asymptomatic. He said:

“Last week we rolled out mass testing in Liverpool using new, rapid technology so we can detect this virus quicker than ever before, even in people who don’t have symptoms. Mass testing is a vital tool to help us control this virus and get life more normal.”

‘Momentous’ single council proposal for North Yorkshire submitted

North Yorkshire County Council has agreed to submit plans to create a new single local authority for the county to ministers.

County councillors voted for the move today, signalling the start of the biggest shake-up of local government in North Yorkshire for decades.

However, the seven district and borough councils will also vote on submitting alternative proposals to ministers.

At the county council’s meeting this morning, 57 councillors voted in favour of submitting the bid and 11 against.

It included “dual hatted” councillors, who sit on both district and the county councils, who will also vote on the districts’ proposal for an east/west model.

Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for local government, will decide on the government’s preferred option.

Whichever proposal he chooses, it will result in both the county council and the district and borough councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, being scrapped and replaced by one or more single-tier authority.

‘Momentous decision’

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said the proposal for one council, which would cover 618,000 people, was among the most “momentous decisions” the authority has made.

He said the government regarded devolution as part of its plan for recovery from the covid pandemic.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Carl Les.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Carl Les.

Cllr Les said:

“The government sees two parts to covid. Firstly contain and secondly recovery.

“They see devolution and local government reform as key parts of that recovery process and delivering the levelling up agenda.

“This is so the right time to do this and to get prepared for future challenges.”

He added that there would be “no criticism” of other models and that it would be for ministers to decide the best proposal for the county.

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The proposal has received support from City of York Council, which would remain as a unitary authority under the plan.

But opposition councillors on the county council opposed the move.

Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the North Yorkshire independents group, said it was not “the right time” for local government reform.

He said:

“I think central government needs to get to grips with what is going on in our country rather than rearranging deck chairs.”

Cllr Eric Broadbent, leader of the Labour group, said creating a single authority for the county would be “a step too far”.

£38 million cost of shake-up

In its outline plan, the county council said reorganisation of councils in the county could cost up to £38 million.

Consultants Pricewaterhouse Cooper’s report on the plans revealed that setting up a single authority will cost between £18 million and £38 million.

However, the authority also predicts savings of up to £252 million over five years, equivalent to £50.4 million per year.

The district councils ware set to submit an east/west model as a counter proposal to the county council.

Harrogate Borough Council will vote on the plan this evening.

Ministers have set a deadline of December 9 for full proposals to be submitted.

‘No worse time’ for devolution, say council leaders

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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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.”

County council ‘can avoid bankruptcy’, says leader

North Yorkshire County Council may have to use funds reserved for major projects in order to balance its books amid the coronavirus pandemic but can avoid bankruptcy, says the authority’s leader.

Speaking to The Stray Ferret, Carl Les said the county council had enough reserves to see it through the pandemic if no funding was forthcoming from government.

However, it could mean major projects – such as improving broadband across North Yorkshire – have to be put on hold.

Cllr Les said the council has around £50 million held over for a “rainy day” and faces a deficit of £42 million due to coronavirus.

Both the county council and Harrogate Borough Council face combined shortfalls of £57 million as a result of responding to the outbreak and loss of income.

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The authority had reserves, both emergency and investment, that could cover its costs from responding to the outbreak. But, Cllr Les said, some of that cash was earmarked for major projects such as improving broadband in the county.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Carl Les.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Carl Les

He added the authority would not need to issue a section 114 notice, which is tabled by finance officers in dire financial circumstances, nor would it need an emergency budget. He said:

“The county council has been very prudent in putting money aside for a rainy day.

“But what worries me is using the development costs.”

It comes as the government announced a further £500 million support package for local councils today to help with spending pressures.

The County Council Network had previously called on ministers to provide further financial support for councils who may need to use up reserves to cover coronavirus shortfalls.

Funding allocations have yet to be revealed, but the scheme is expected to reimburse authorities for lost income and allow council tax and business rates deficits to be paid over three years instead of one.

Simon Clarke, local government minister, said today:

“Since the start of this pandemic, local councils have been at the forefront of our national effort to tackle the virus, and they will continue to play a significant role as we look towards our recovery.

“We are more committed than ever to unite and level up this country and this package will ensure councils have access to vital, additional funding so they can continue to serve their communities as they so admirably have done to date.”

County council needs more funding to tackle future coronavirus costs

North Yorkshire County Council needs guaranteed income from government to tackle future costs of coronavirus after spending on tackling the crisis is forecast to reach £76 million, says the authority’s leader.

Speaking to The Stray Ferret, Carl Les said the council had been “prudent” with its reserves but needed more backing from government to see out the pandemic and to tackle future costs to the council.

Part of the cost comes with the county council’s responsibility to provide personal protective equipment which cost the authority around £250,000 per week at the peak of the virus. The council has also provided daily support for care homes and 3,000 vulnerable people in the county during the pandemic.

It comes as the authority and Harrogate Borough Council have forecast deficits of £57 million due to a loss of income during the outbreak.

As previously reported, Richard Flinton, chief executive of the county council, told senior councillors earlier this month that the authority has forecast a gross spend around £76 million on fighting the virus.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Carl Les.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Carl Les.

But the council has received £26 million in government grants and expects to recover £7.7 million in clinical commissioning group costs.

It leaves a deficit of around £42 million. Cllr Les said the authority and other county councils need backing from government in order to set balanced budgets next year as further funding gaps open.

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Analysis by the County Councils Network (CNN) revealed that 39 county and unitary authorities across the country could be faced with using up their available reserves for 2021/22 to cover a £2.5 billion funding gap amid the pandemic.

It added that a second wave and another lockdown could increase the funding shortfall county councils face to an estimated £4.5 billion over the next two years.

The report acknowledged that current grants from government have reduced the costs of the crisis but is not sufficient enough to plug the gap and more support was needed.

Cllr Les, who is also financial spokesperson for the CNN, said the county council had reserves, both emergency and investment, which will cover its deficit if no financial support is forthcoming.

He said: “We have been prudent with our reserves and put money aside for a rainy day.

“What worries me is that we may need to go into the investment reserve, which may effect our spending on things like broadband and other projects.”

He added that he had written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak on further financial support for county councils.

Meanwhile, Geoff Webber, leader of the Liberal Democrats group on the authority, said the council had handled the unprecedented situation well.

He said: “It is extremely worrying.

“But I think the county council is handling this fairly well so far. I would find it difficult to criticise what it is doing.” 

It comes as Harrogate Borough Council has unveiled a recovery plan to tackle its shortfall due to coronavirus.

The authority faces a £15 million deficit due to loss of income on such areas as leisure and car parking. Senior councillors will discuss its recovery plan at a cabinet meeting tomorrow.