Proposed devolution deal to undergo its first public scrutiny

It will be the first opportunity for councillors and stakeholders to discuss and address the details of the proposed deal.

The deal was provisionally signed in York on 1 August 2022, by the Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark MP, City of York Council Leader Councillor Keith Aspden, and North Yorkshire County Council Leader Carl Les.

It seeks to create a directly elected mayor, leading a new combined authority, with powers to invest an additional £540m in transport, housing, and education over the next 30 years.

The deal could also see over half a billion pounds transferred from central Government to York and North Yorkshire and invested in local priorities.

Once the deal has been discussed by Scrutiny on 5 September, it will be brought to the council’s Executive meeting on 15 September, where senior councillors will consider the details of the deal, governance arrangements, and proposed consultation.

It will then be considered by Full Council to decide whether to proceed and undertake a statutory consultation.

Leader of City of York Council, Councillor Keith Aspden, said: “Devolution represents a real opportunity to secure investment on a new scale and put towards local priorities, from progressing crucial work on BioYorkshire, delivering York Central, or helping us become England’s first carbon negative region.

“This proposed deal could unlock 30 years of investment to improve economic prosperity and long-term opportunities for all of our residents and businesses.

“If agreed by Full Council, we will be undertaking a consultation later this year to seek residents and businesses views on this incredibly important matter.”

Helen Simpson, chair of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “More local powers, decision making and funding can only help deliver our ambitions for the region.

“Devolution presents an incredible opportunity for York and North Yorkshire and we are pleased the process has reached this landmark stage.

“Public scrutiny of the proposed devolution deal is another step towards delivering long term investment into York and North Yorkshire.”

Carolyn Frank, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) development manager for York & North Yorkshire, added “FSB members generally welcome the opportunities devolution brings, and want to see joined up thinking in both local and national government, and pro-small business thinking and strategies that create the right economic conditions for them to achieve their ambitions.

“The transfer of power to local government through devolution ensures decision making is made with their businesses in mind, and their communities.

“We know small businesses are at the heart of the economy in York & North Yorkshire, the biggest employers overall in the private sector, and they want to see skills and infrastructure improvements prioritised so that they have a skilled workforce to call on.”