Scarborough Borough Councillors Express Devolution Funding Concerns

Some Scarborough Borough Councillors have expressed their frustration with the devolution plan for North Yorkshire.

A number of Scarborough Borough Councillors have voiced concern about the level of funding that North Yorkshire will receive as part of it's devolution deal.

A new unitary council takes over the roles of the County and Borough councils next April, once that's in place there is then likely to be moves to create a combined mayoral authority with York, that would see an elected mayor oversee a range of policy issues across York and North Yorkshire.

As part of the proposal the government has promised £540m of extra devolution funding for the region as part of the change. But that funding is spread over 30 years, Borough Councillor - Carl Maw - says it's not a very good deal.

Fylingdales Councillor Jane Mortimer agrees that the initial sums of money are not as huge as they seem, but hopes there will be more money to follow.

Hunmanby Councillor - Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff - is not overly impressed with the 30 year funding package.

Borough Council Leader Steve Siddons agrees that the money is not what was hoped for.

County Councillors in North Yorkshire will today decide whether Government’s draft devolution deal and the promise of a publicly elected mayor should go ahead.

At a meeting of the county council’s executive today (September 6th) members will be asked to agree an eight-week public consultation starting in mid-October. It is an important milestone in seeing the proposed deal become a reality.

Hailed, by the county council, as a “once in a generation” opportunity to halt rural decline and deliver better jobs, training, skills and transport, the draft deal was signed on Yorkshire Day (August 1). Now North Yorkshire councillors are being asked to take it to the next level.

Speaking on Friday, the leader of the county council, Cllr Carl Les, said:

“We are the first region in the country to secure the offer of a good devolution with the promise of a publicly elected mayor which covers not just an urban area but the rural expanse of North Yorkshire.

“I believe the deal on offer would be life-changing for region’s economy. Many challenges we face could become opportunities in a practical way. Joining up skills and training to support people into better paid jobs, kick-starting green economic growth that delivers on the potential of the geography we have. Locally led transport and infrastructure strategies and making homes more affordable for people. Together these measures can be a game-changer, with an initial investment pot of £540 million of new Government money available.

“I have been a huge supporter of the devolution of powers and money from Whitehall to the Town Hall and of local-led decision making set against our own priorities. I have no problem in recommending the acceptance of the draft deal and of asking my executive colleagues to agree a public consultation.”

The final decision on taking the proposals to the public for residents, businesses, groups, organisations and partners for give their views must be a joint one for councillors in North Yorkshire.

If public consultation is agreed, it will run through the autumn and close before Christmas to allow the results to be analysed and quality checked by an independent consultation expert. In the new year, North Yorkshire councillors would then consider those results and make a decision on a submission back to Government in the spring. The current timeline then outlines the formation of a combined authority for the region in winter 2023, with the public electing a mayor in May 2024. 

The deal can be found on the Government’s website, here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/york-and-north-yorkshire-devolution-deal/york-and-north-yorkshire-devolution-deal#summary-of-the-devolution-deal-between-the-government-and-the-local-authorities-of-york-and-north-yorkshire-comprising-city-of-york-council-and-north-yorkshire-council