The ball is now rolling for a shake-up of local government in North Yorkshire.
Last week, Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, began the process by inviting councils to submit plans for a new-look local authority model.
It would see the current two-tier system, which is made up of North Yorkshire County Council and seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, scrapped and replaced with either one or two unitary authorities.
The process also opens the door for an elected mayor.
Former local government minister, Simon Clarke, made reorganisation a requirement ahead of any devolution bid.
Read more:
- Government invites North Yorkshire councils to submit restructure plans
- Lib Dems call for ‘secret devolution report’ to be published
However, the government has yet to publish its white paper outlining plans for further devolution in England. The paper is expected to be revealed next year.
Following Mr Jenrick’s invitation, Cllr Keane Duncan, leader of Ryedale District Council, tweeted that it was “game on”.
The district councils and the county council have different views on how the new structure should look.
The county council wants a single council alongside the City of York; the district councils want two councils — one in the east and another in the west.
But how does the process work and when will we see a new local government system in the county?
What next?
Now both camps have been invited to submit plans, the government will choose its preferred option and consult with the public, councils and other public bodies on that model.
The government has asked for outline plans to be submitted by November 9, with a full proposal no later than December 9.
Once the minister has received all the responses, he will decide whether to set up a new authority. This would require legislation.
Councils would not get a vote on the new authority – the process would be handled by Parliament.
The government has said it intends to establish any unitary council plan by April 2023.
Government invites North Yorkshire councils to submit restructure plansThe government has invited councils in North Yorkshire to submit plans for a shake-up of local government in the county, which would see Harrogate Borough Council and other district authorities scrapped.
Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, invited leaders from North Yorkshire County Council and the seven districts to submit plans today.
It comes as ministers made it a requirement back in July that district councils and county council were abolished in favour of unitary councils before any devolution bid could be lodged.
The government said any unitary council plan would aim to be established by April 2023.
Read More:
- Lib Dems call for secret North Yorkshire devolution report to be published
- “No worse time for devolution” say District Council leaders
County council bosses have already outlined plans for a single council for North Yorkshire alongside the City of York, while the districts have proposed two councils in the east and west of the county.
Both proposals would mean Harrogate Borough Council would no longer exist.
Now, council leaders will be able to submit the plans to government who will then consult with the public on a preferred option after each model has been considered.
Mr Jenrick said restructuring local government would help to save money and improve services.
He said:
“Councils in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset are already working on developing their locally-led unitary proposals and I am now giving them the opportunity to submit them for consideration.
“Where there is local support, changing the structure of local government can offer better value for money and improved services for residents. We have always been clear that any restructuring of local government must continue to be locally-led and will not involve top-down solutions from government.”
The decision comes as Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, had written to Mr Jenrick urging for clarity on the future of devolution.
Meanwhile, district leaders had called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to delay any devolution policy amid the coronavirus crisis.
COLUMN: It’s easy to say now is not a good time for devolution
This political column is written by John Harris CBE. John is a former Chief Executive of South Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council and has been a Harrogate resident for the past 10 years. John is a supporter of One Yorkshire which campaigns for a single Yorkshire authority.
What is going on? Doubt and uncertainty is growing about the devolution prospects for North Yorkshire and the English counties. Is this to be yet another government U turn?
County areas were to get executive mayors with devolved funds but with unitary local councils, Two tier local government is confusing, costly, and needs to be abolished. North Yorkshire needs a more efficient, effective and economic unitary council structure, ideally with Harrogate combined with York and Selby. The major functions lie with two existing bases (North Yorkshire County Council/York City Council) so the transition disruption to effect the government proposed change in 2022 can be overestimated. An Executive Mayor would focus new energy and investment – a step towards an eventual promised land of proper devolution with a One Yorkshire outcome.
Devolution is needed. The process was in place for North Yorkshire – it is so easy to say this is not ‘the right time’, finding reasons to put things off. North Yorkshire was offered this deal independently of the White Paper; will we lose out?
So what is going on?
Nationally, uncertainty and speculation about government intentions has grown as disquiet amongst conservative supporters has increased. Publication of the autumn devolution White Paper covering all English counties is rumoured to have been shelved:
- the minister leading the initiatives recently suddenly resigned; social media suggests that party organisers were alarmed at the abolition of the shire district power base of conservative party councillors
- the Dominic Cummings agenda of shaking up local government lacks a party political supporters base
- shire district councillors, a core conservative party campaigning resource on the ground, objected to their demise.
Where is the formal government invitation to the nine North Yorkshire councils to propose, by September/early October, a new unitary structure? Although proposals have been worked up, the shire district council leaders say now is not the time for a major reorganisation – covid19 and Brexit. The County Council however argue that, as four fifths of local council expenditure is at county level, disruption would be minimised by their unitary proposal based on their existing base, achieving substantial cost savings.
It needs to happen as planned for 2022. My own guess – the hot money is on the government backing off; a North Yorkshire unitary would be a long odds each way bet.
Read More:
- Lib Dems call for secret North Yorkshire devolution report to be published
- “No worse time for devolution” say District Council leaders
Next week Strayside Sunday with Paul Baverstock will return.
Lib Dems call for ‘secret devolution report’ to be publishedLiberal Democrats have called on Harrogate Borough Council to release a “secret report” into the district’s devolution bid and council reorganisation.
The seven district councils commissioned KPMG to produce a report into council reorganisation in the county ahead of a submission to government.
Council leaders announced their preference for two authorities, split between east and west, in August, and showcased the proposal at online consultation events with businesses and residents.
Local Lib Dems said they have asked “several times” for the document – funded with taxpayers’ money – to be made public.
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Cllr Pat Marsh, Lib Dem leader of the opposition on the borough council, called on the authority to release the document.
She said:
“Liberal Democrats have called on Harrogate Borough Council to release its KPMG report several times now. If Conservatives aren’t going to consult with residents on the future of local services, the very least they can do is be transparent about how decisions are being made.
“Unfortunately this is typical of our Conservative-run council. It won’t speak to residents or their elected representatives about huge issues like this, and when it does it is telling them what is happening at the eleventh hour, rather allowing any input. It would appear that Richard Cooper would rather rule by decree than risk hearing a differing view.”
A spokesman on behalf of the district and borough council leaders said:
“The leaders of the seven district and borough councils in North Yorkshire commissioned KPMG to support the development of a business case for local government reorganisation should we be required to respond to government to submit a proposal.
“When completed the report will need to be agreed by elected members within all seven councils before it is submitted to government and full details will be published.”
It comes as the government had been due to publish its devolution white paper in the Autumn, which would have outlined its plans to devolve further powers to local areas and scrap district councils.
However, ministers have since appeared to have delayed publishing the plans until next year, according to the Financial Times.
Last week, Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, wrote to Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, urging the government for clarity on the white paper.
But, district leaders said there was “no worse time” to reorganise local government. The seven district council leaders, including Richard Cooper, wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to focus on fighting the covid-19 crisis.
Care providers back county council’s devolution bidAn independent body for care providers in North Yorkshire has said it would be “pointless and unnecessary” to allow devolution to dismantle the current system of social care in the county.
Under the existing two-tier system of local government, North Yorkshire County Council has full responsibility for social care in the county.
But this could change under government plans to devolve power.
The seven district and borough councils in North Yorkshire, including Harrogate Borough Council, would prefer to create an east / west model of local government.
NYCC prefer having a unitary authority for the county, which Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, said would offer the best outcome for older and vulnerable people in the area.
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Mr Padgham said effective county-wide social care services already existed built on years of close working between the local authority and independent providers of social care. He added:
“It would seem pointless and unnecessary to dismantle this.
“NYCC is looking to bring in more investment and more decision-making power to a single authority, which can only be a positive move forward for the overall future of North Yorkshire.
“The proposal from NYCC for a single unitary authority provides the best option for facing and overcoming those challenges.”
Speaking on behalf of the seven district and borough councils, Keane Duncan, leader of Ryedale District Council, told the Stray Ferret it was “surprising and disappointing” that the ICG has backed NYCC’s proposal.
He added:
“ICG’s support for a mega-council is particularly disappointing too when they have not engaged with us about their views, aspirations and concerns for the future of care in our county.
“We would welcome the opportunity to share with them how our alternative to a mega-council can best support care providers, and those who need care, not only in North Yorkshire, but in the City of York too.”
‘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.
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.”
Read more:
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:
Devolution: What would you do if you were mayor?“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.”
With devolution set to usher in a new elected mayor for North Yorkshire, what issues do local people want to see the new office tackle?
The government has maintained it intends to publish a white paper on devolution this autumn despite concerns that covid and Brexit could de-rail it.
This means there could be an elected mayor covering the whole of North Yorkshire, or more if the county is split and run by more than one unitary authority.
In other areas with devolved authorities, mayors have taken initiatives into their own hands such as employment and public transport.
For Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, this would be the start of benefits for the region.
Read more:
He told the Stray Ferret:
“What we are going to get in principle is decision making more locally. At the moment, Whitehall are spending on our behalf.
“We will also have an elected mayor and there is a good example in Ben Houchen. I no longer use Manchester and Birmingham as examples, you only need to look over at the Tees Valley.”
Since becoming mayor in the Tees Valley, Mr Houchen has bought an old steelworks and an airport in an effort to boost employment. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester wants to overhaul the city’s bus network.

Conservative Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen. Picture credit: Thames Valley Combined Authority.
The two mayors have sought to tackle issues in their areas by coming up with initiatives while in office.
But North Yorkshire has its own issues which need to be tackled. So what would business owners in Harrogate do if they were mayor for the day?
Peter Banks, managing director at Rudding Park Hotel and Spa, listed transport among his concerns. He said the connectivity was vital for this area and its tourism.
He said:
“Leeds Bradford Airport not having a train connection is ridiculous. We are never going to attract international flights from Dubai etc when the guests then have to get on a bus.
“The road network to the airport is also somewhat dubious.
“Compare LBA to Manchester airport and you can see why Manchester and the north west is a much more attractive destination for international guests.”
Meanwhile, Simon Cotton, managing director at HRH Group, said he would look to tackle climate change, red tape and empty homes in the district.
He said:
“If I were mayor for the day, I’d introduce a ‘no car day’ once a month as a way of highlighting climate change, but also the many other benefits of a town free of cars.
“I’d also cut through the mountains of red tape that is needed to put on any large outdoor event and entertainment and ensure there was an increase in the number of days that the Stray could be used for events so we make the most of this unique space whilst also importantly preserving it for years to come.
“Finally, I’d implement fines to landlords who didn’t make an effort to fill empty shops in more creative ways to ensure they were used rather than empty, and if they were left empty for more than two years and especially if they had empty space above them. I would bring in a forced sale and conversion to housing.”
Ian Gill, of the Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said devolution should be an opportunity to take control of the town’s heritage.
He said:
North Yorkshire devolution could be ‘at risk’, says county council leader“Chamber sees the advent of a new mayor as an opportunity for Knaresborough to be the hands-on guardians of our ancient natural and built heritage.
“Chamber would like to see local control of our assets such as our ancient market, our medieval castle, Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough House, Royal Forest and our Nidd Gorge. This need not be a straight switch from Harrogate Borough Council to Knaresborough Town Council control, but the watch word should be ‘local’.
“If our new mayor can support the devolution of aspects of local life to local people and local groups, elected and voluntary, with the desire and expertise to deliver positive change, that would be a great advance.”
A devolution deal for North Yorkshire could be at risk and clarity is needed on the future of local government, says North Yorkshire County Council’s leader.
Cllr Carl Les told the Stray Ferret that he was “hopeful” that a deal could still be put on the table.
But he added there were concerns the government is considering delaying publishing a white paper on devolution amid the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit negotiations.
A meeting between Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Mr Jenrick was due to take place today over devolution.
Ministers approached the council leaders in the county in July over devolved powers. Former local government minister Simon Clarke – who resigned earlier this month – made it a requirement to shake up the current council structure ahead of any devolution bid.
Councils were supposed to be invited to submit plans for a restructure of local government on September 7.
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But Cllr Les said the authority is still waiting for a letter of invitation from ministers to lodge the new authority plans.
Following a meeting with the County Council Network, which represents county councils across the country, council leaders agreed that the current situation “was not helpful”.
As a result, Cllr Les wrote to Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Local Government, last Friday urging him for clarity and to express his “deepest concerns” over a potential deal.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Carl Les.
He said that county council leaders were “despondent” at the current position, with some, including Surrey County Council’s leader, fearing plans for reform were “dead”.
In his letter to Mr Jenrick, Cllr Les said:
“To be clear this is the future and opportunity for more than 800,000 people at a critical moment, as we all strive to drive renewed economies and create jobs for people following the body blow delivered by the coronavirus pandemic.
“As you are aware, and amongst other pressures that we have been dealing with extremely effectively, we have been working hard with your ministers and officials to secure a devolution deal for the benefit of everyone here.
“One that will level up life chances and outcomes for people across the county and seek to end the North-South divide, powering up the North so it can play its full part in the national economy and agenda.
“I am alarmed to hear that this deal could be at risk and want to say to you in the strongest possible terms that it is needed now, more than ever.”
He added that should devolution not be introduced across England, the county would be willing to pilot mayoral authorities for rural areas.
He said:
“I call upon you and the Prime Minister to use all of the innovative thinking at your disposal to consider how our position could fit into a northern concept.
“Should you decide not to introduce devolution deals across the whole of England – I am confident that I, and colleagues across the north would be willing to pilot the idea of mayoral authorities for rural areas here.
“The north has always been willing to be the first to implement new thinking and new ideas. I ask you to keep to your commitment for devolution for the north, follow up on your promises and ask of us, and deliver for all of Yorkshire. Do not leave North Yorkshire and York behind – we need to move on now.”
Cllr Les said he had also sent a private note to both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor over the issue.
Read more:
- Districts to launch alternative council reorganisation bid
- County to draw up plans for single North Yorkshire council
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government maintained that it will set out “detailed plans” in the white paper this Autumn.
A spokesperson said:
“We want to decentralise giving more power to local communities, providing opportunities for them to enjoy devolution. There will be no blanket abolishment of district councils and no top-down restructuring of local government.
“The devolution white paper, which will be published this Autumn, will set out our detailed plans and we continue to work closely with local areas to establish solutions to local government reform.”
What was the timetable for devolution?
The two camps – district councils and county council – have to wait for an invitation from government to submit their proposals.
Once that is done, the government will choose its preferred option and consult with the public, councils and other public bodies on that model.
Once the minister has received all the responses, he will decide on whether to set up a new authority.
To do this, the government will have to pass a piece of legislation through Parliament to create the new authority. No new council will be created until it is approved.
Councils do not get another vote on the new authority – the process is handled by Parliament.
While no specific timetable has been set for the reorganisation, government had told council officials that they would like to see a new authority by 2022.
County council bosses are confident that their model could meet this timescale, but the districts believe it is more likely that a new authority would be in place by 2023.
Devolution: good or bad for local voices in planning?Residents groups in Harrogate are divided on whether devolution will increase the strength of local voice in the planning process.
Central government wants fewer, bigger local authorities as part of its plans to devolve power making.
North Yorkshire County Council has proposed creating one large authority that would serve all 610,000 people in the county besides York.
The seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, have put forward an alternative east / west model that would result in two slightly smaller authorities.
Whatever happens will have major implications on how planning decisions are made in the district.
The Stray Ferret spoke to three local residents groups for their views.
Kingsley, Harrogate
John Hansard, from the Kingsley Ward Action Group, is worried that a larger authority would make it more difficult for the group’s voice to be heard in the planning process.
Currently, housing decisions are made by HBC’s planning committee, which is made up of local councillors. But Mr Hansard said that if a future planning committee were run from Northallerton, with members from places like Skipton or Scarborough, they wouldn’t have the same local insight as HBC councillors have.
He said:
“If you have a planning issue you can rely on local councillors to come down to the area and have a look. With NYCC you’d have no chance. We’d lose our local voice if it was put into their hands. It would be a step backwards.”
Read more:
Harlow and Pannal Ash
Rene Dziabas, chairman of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association (HAPARA), spoke in a personal capacity to the Stray Ferret and said he has become frustrated with how Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council pass issues back and forth. He said a unitary authority would improve accountability.
He said:
“The majority of functions here are carried out by NYCC but other functions, like planning, are run by HBC. I’ve attended many meetings over the past few years and you get the bounce between the two. HBC says ‘it’s nothing to do with us’, and NYCC says the same thing. That needs sorting out.”
Mr Dziabas added that whatever organisation ends up taking control of Harrogate, they “must be more proactive” in taking on board the opinions of residents.
He said:
“There is a great feeling at the moment that whatever you say is ignored. In the whole devolution process, they must build in localism, so local people feel that they are involved in the things where they live.”
Ripon
Barbara Brodigan represents Ripon Residents Action Group and is mobilising local people against Homes England’s 1,300-home proposal at Ripon Barracks.
She said Ripon felt left out of decisions made by Harrogate Borough Council:
“That is the feeling from residents. They always feel like we are the Cinderella and the poor relation in the district.”
Ms Brodigan said whichever devolution model was adopted, the voices of local residents must be heard.
She added:
Harrogate Borough Council’s days are numbered, admits leader“How much local power cities or town councils will have over planning is generally a worry, as are the government’s planning reforms, which will take away a lot of local decisions.”
The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has conceded the authority will cease to exist after devolution.
Political leaders in North Yorkshire are locked in a debate over two future models of local government – neither of which includes HBC.
Speaking at a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday, HBC leader Cllr Richard Cooper, said:
“At the end of this process, there will be no Harrogate Borough Council in any way, shape or form.
“We came into this with an open mind. We are not battling to take on more powers and we have no vested interests.”
Cllr Cooper and Richard Flinton, chief executive of the county council, both said they had no “vested interest” in whatever model the government chooses as part of its plans to devolve local government.
The meeting comes as county council and district council officials have been presenting their proposals to the public and business leaders across the county.
Cllr Cooper addressed the chamber meeting on behalf of the county’s seven district authorities. which have opted for an east/west model,
Read more:
- Councils clash over local government shake-up plans
- Districts to launch alternative council reorganisation bid
- ‘Double devolution’ for parish councils, under county council plan
Cllr Cooper said he supported an overhaul of the council structure as the two-tier system was “costly”.
Cllr Cooper described the county council’s model, which would see a single authority covering North Yorkshire alongside the City of York, as a “continuity county council”.
But Mr Flinton said the authority did not have an interest in carrying on as it is and that the new authority would not be “a county council mark two”.
He said:
“This will be a totally new authority with a new way of operating.”
He added that his position, along with those of other senior council officers, would be open for applications under the new system.
The government is expected to publish a white paper on restructuring local government this autumn.
Under the government’s timetable, a new council could be in place as soon as 2022.
Earlier this week, Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, asked Simon Clarke, former local government minister, what the minimum population size for the unitary authorities would be.
However, Mr Clarke’s response did not give a figure. He added that the white paper would give more details on the matter.
District councillors are expected to vote on their model this month ahead of a submission to ministers.