Battle lines drawn as councils to vote on local government shake-up

Battle lines have been drawn over the future of local government in North Yorkshire as political leaders reveal plans for a shake-up in the number of councils.

Both North Yorkshire County Council and the seven districts are to vote on their proposals in a few weeks, which would see proposals submitted to government to scrap the two-tier system.

Armed with accountancy firms PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG, both camps claim their models could save the county millions.

Today, district council leaders published their plans ahead of a submission to government.

The model, which the districts brought in KPMG to help devise, would see the county split in half with a council in the east and west.

The district councils’ proposal for an east/west model as outlined in the KPMG report.

The KPMG report, which the district councils have contributed £175,000 so far to pay for, outlines the case for two councils in the county.

It would see Craven, Harrogate, Richmondshire and Hambleton in the west, and Selby, City of York, Ryedale and Scarborough in the east.

The report shows district leaders compared 11 different options, one of which included a north/south divide and another with three unitary councils.

It also includes the gross value added, which is the measure of the value of goods and services produced in an area, for each region. The figures are based on data from the Office for National Statistics.

However, officials settled on an east/west model with 363,297 people in the west area and 465,375 in the east. Council leaders argue the model could save the county up to £56 million a year.

County council’s single authority plan

Meanwhile, the county council wants a model which would see a single unitary council for the entire county alongside the City of York Council.

Its plan is due to be published next week ahead of a meeting on November 4 when the proposal is expected to be agreed and submitted to Secretary of State for Local Government, Robert Jenrick.

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County council officials said the model could deliver up to £252 million in savings over five years to support crucial frontline services.

The county has drafted in PwC to estimate the savings, which authority bosses say could amount to an initial £30 million a year.

Cllr Gareth Dadd, deputy leader and executive councillor for finance, said the council had an “unique” opportunity with the model.

“We are presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity at a key moment in our history, as we battle to emerge from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.

“A unique chance to deliver very significant savings that will be ploughed back into frontline services, support enhanced local democracy and end unnecessary waste. Our bid maximises all the benefits and delivers those benefits more quickly. It is also the least disruptive.

“Our proposal represents a saving of up to £185 a year for every household in North Yorkshire which would be put back into service delivery. It would be negligent of us to not to chase down such an opportunity.

“No other bid can deliver the scale of savings in such a timeframe, while protecting nationally recognised services for the county’s most frail and vulnerable residents.”

The district councils will now vote to submit their model to government, while the county council will also vote on its proposal.

The government has set a deadline of November 9 for outline proposals to be submitted. A deadline of December 9 has been set for full proposals.

Strayside Sunday: “Levelling Up” means acting now to help the North

Strayside Sunday is our weekly political opinion column. It is written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communications for the Conservative Party. 

Try as I might, my rudimentary internet research skills have not yet uncovered the criteria for Harrogate currently residing in Covid-19 Medium Tier Alert.  With some application I can discern the do’s and don’ts of the category: 10pm curfew, the Rule of 6, non-attendance at the monthly swingers club, that sort of thing.  It’s just that, for the life of me, I can’t uncover the triggers that would mean Harrogate might be promoted to High Alert, alongside near neighbours Leeds, or even catapulted into Very High Alert, there to rub shoulders with Liverpool.

I think the alert level might be something to do with the R-rate, the number of positive Covid-19 tests, the size of the city or town’s student population, relative levels of social deprivation, areas of health inequality, the proportion of people over the age of 60, ethnicity and pre-existing and underlying health conditions.  No one is able to say for sure.  In fact the alert level decision is of course about all of these things and more.  Myriad factors discussed and negotiated between a national government (the authority of which has lost its wax and found its wane) and local government leaders, in full voice, newly ‘bold as Beauchamp.’  Or, should I say, given I write this in Yorkshire about the North’s crop of elected Mayors, ‘bold as brass.’

What’s going on?  The Conservative government is, of course, in a terrible stew.  The decisions it faces hour-by-hour must balance the ongoing threat to our health with further damage to our already grievously wounded economy.  It is making life or death decisions, affecting health or wealth, in real-time, with only instinct and imperfect information as a guide.  But, as the number of clangers, screeching hand-break turns and misfires mounts up, even those, like me, sympathetically minded toward the government, are beginning to lose patience.  It’s not only about poor decision making and obvious political incompetence, it’s about the glaring lack of a guiding principle, a north star, so to speak.

By backing Brexit (opportunistically and at the last moment) and, through the good offices of Dominic “The Brainiac” Cummins, by turning it into a conversation about immigration, Boris earned a hearing from the white working-class north of Watford Gap.  So, when Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson won his stonking parliamentary majority in December 2019, he did so with what seemed a strong, if, from Boris, counterintuitive promise to “level up” the North.  No longer the posh London metropolitan  ‘hug-a-hoodie’ Tory party of Dave and Sam Cam, the Conservatives were striking out beyond the M25, prioritising the forgotten industrial waste lands of post-post-Thatcherite Britain and, BBC-like, placing new emphasis on regional accents.  Man of the people BoJo promised us investment in jobs, skills, infrastructure, a brave and bold future grown rich on newly minted international trade deals.  But, then, Covid, only Covid.

We know that people in the North of England went into this crisis earning, owning and saving less than those in the South.  Nothing new to see here.  We also know now that Covid hits hardest in densely populated urban areas with high levels of social deprivation.  And we know that Covid seeks out and punishes those in ill health.  We know too that Covid disproportionately impacts BAME nationals.  All these matter more in the urban multi-cultural north.

The northern mayors have a point; Covid, and the government’s developing economic response to it, are widening the gap between north and south.  Its hitting hardest those who can least afford it, whether they are working in low paid jobs, or not working at all.  Yes, the mayors are being politically partisan, they scent a real opportunity to regain lost ground and build again in red brick.  But they are most certainly representing the feelings of their constituents, secondary modern kids snubbed once more by their betters in gowns and mortarboards.

It was announced during the Conservatives’ virtual conference last week that it was going to open a northern party headquarters in Leeds.  This the better to emphasise its un-swingeing commitment to the region.  But unless the Conservative Party genuinely hears and urgently acts upon the grievances being aired now by mayors like Andy Burnham from Greater Manchester, Steve Rotheram from the Liverpool City Region and Jamie Driscoll from North Tyne, it won’t just receive a cool welcome when it opens for business in Leeds (Labour Leader Judith Blake is said to be spitting at the prospect), it will surely lose the north at the next election.

So I propose that Boris doubles down on levelling up, to counterpoint my metaphors.  If he doesn’t, he leaves the Conservatives open to the easy charge that they don’t care about the north after all.  It’s not too late for him to tack and change course.  As St. Augustine said, “repentant tears wash out the stain of guilt.”

 

That’s my Strayside Sunday.

York to back county council’s single authority plan

City of York Council is set to support North Yorkshire County Council’s plan for a single council in the county ahead of a devolution bid.

Authority leaders in York said there is “no logical reason” for it to merge into a western council, as outlined in district leaders’ plan for two councils in the east and west of North Yorkshire.

At a press briefing, Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat leader of City of York Council, said the authority will submit proposals to government to remain as a unitary authority and effectively support the county council’s model.

That would see a single authority created for North Yorkshire, alongside the City of York Council, and the seven district councils scrapped – including Harrogate Borough.

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Senior councillors at City of York Council are expected to back the proposal at an executive meeting on October 22, before the proposal goes to full council later this month.

Cllr Aspden said:

“Following consultation, we believe proposals that cause as little disruption as possible to allow City of York Council to concentrate on recovery at this critical time is the right way forward. 

“For this reason, the best way to support strong recovery, secure devolution quickly, and support the Levelling-Up agenda in York and North Yorkshire, is with City of York continuing as a unitary authority.  Any other model of local government would fail to effectively represent York’s history, communities and the unique characteristics of the city.

“York’s unique character, beautiful heritage and strong history is recognised across the world. Protecting our identity, whilst keeping costs low and minimising service disruption for our residents, is of paramount importance for our future long term prosperity.  

“Ultimately, any decision that affects York’s residents, businesses and communities, should be made in York.”

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

“We have been very clear from the beginning that we believe a new single council, bringing together the best of the county and seven district councils, presents the best possible opportunity for everyone in North Yorkshire. 

“In preparing our proposal for government, we have and continue, to listen very carefully to a broad range of partners, groups, organisations, individuals and businesses over many weeks.

“We believe it is crucial to retain the identity of North Yorkshire and to offer every single person here the best possible chances in life and the same high quality services and support, regardless of where they live in the county.

“Our proposal also protects the unique identity of the City of York, which is already served by an established unitary council.”

It comes as Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for local government, invited councils across North Yorkshire to submit plans for reorganisation.

Councils have until December 9 to submit final proposals for the new-look local government structure.

The government said it would aim for any unitary council plan to be implemented by April 2023.

North Yorkshire devolution: what happens now?

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.

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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 plans

The 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.

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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:

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.

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Next week Strayside Sunday with Paul Baverstock will return. 

Lib Dems call for ‘secret devolution report’ to be published

Liberal 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 bid

An 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.

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.”

Devolution: What would you do if you were mayor?

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.

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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.

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: 

“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.”