Council leaders from Craven, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby are urging people to have their say in a government consultation on the future of local government in North Yorkshire and York.
The government has said local government in North Yorkshire and York must be reorganised to form one-tier, unitary authorities – and has now launched an eight-week consultation on two separate proposals that have been put forward.
- The six district and borough councils of Craven, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby have joined together to propose a balanced, ‘east and west’ model of local government. Craven, Harrogate, Richmondshire and Hambleton would join together to form a unitary council in the ‘west’, with a population of 363,000, and Selby, City of York, Ryedale and Scarborough would form a unitary council in the ‘east’, with a population of 465,000.
- North Yorkshire County Council has submitted a proposal to form one council across the whole of North Yorkshire, with a population of 618,000, leaving York as a separate, small unitary authority with just 211,000 residents.
It is consultation, rather than a referendum. Government seeking views from the public and other bodies within the county.
Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, speaking on behalf of the six district and borough councils, said:
We would urge residents, businesses and organisations to have their say in this crucial consultation. Please take your time to read the proposals and give your views to government.
This reorganisation will affect the lives of more than 800,000 people in York and North Yorkshire, so it’s really important that you take this opportunity to make your voice heard.
The district and borough council leaders are: Cllr Richard Foster (Craven), Cllr Richard Cooper (Harrogate), Cllr Angie Dale (Richmondshire), Cllr Keane Duncan (Ryedale), Cllr Steve Siddons (Scarborough) and Cllr Mark Crane (Selby).
For more information about the east and west bid, go to www.get-change-right.com
To take part in the consultation go to:
https://consult.communities.gov.uk/governance-reform-and-democracy/northyorkshire/
