Council to consider final steps towards devolution deal

At the session on 14 February, senior councillors will consider the results of a public consultation to decide if the devolution proposals should be progressed to the next stage.

This decision will then be referred to the next full meeting of the council on 23 February to allow a decision based on the views of all councillors on whether to agree to the formation of a Mayoral Combined Authority.

It follows the public consultation on devolution for York and North Yorkshire which ran from late October till mid December 2022.

Under the proposed devolution deal, York and North Yorkshire would gain new powers from central government and control of funding, including £540m for local priorities such as economic growth, transport, housing and the action to tackle climate change.

1,943 people completed the survey in full for the devolution element of the public consultations.

The overall response to the consultation on the proposed areas of change was positive, with the majority of respondents (54%) supporting or strongly supporting the proposed governance arrangements in the scheme, including an elected Mayor and a Mayoral Combined Authority, to unlock the benefits of the devolution deal.

Around a third (32%) of respondents opposed or strongly opposed the proposals.

City of York Council leader, Councillor Keith Aspden, said: “Devolution presents an significant and historic opportunity for York and the North Yorkshire region to secure new powers and investment which have the potential to boost our local economy and support our communities now and in the long term.

“This next decision is an important step in unlocking devolution and the benefits that can come with it.

“Given the significance of this decision, it’s been great to see so many get involved in the consultation – I’d like to thank all that took the time to review the plans and make their comments.”