Voters in North Yorkshire and York go to the polls on Thursday 2 May in the election for a Mayor for North Yorkshire and York who will serve a four-year term. The election will be ‘first past the post’ and voter identity will be needed.
Following local government reorganisation last April the existing Borough, District Councils and County Council were abolished and replaced by the new North Yorkshire Unitary Council. The City of York Council continued as a unitary authority. The new combined authority for York and North Yorkshire was launched on 1 February 2024 see: https://yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/. This followed an inaugural meeting on 22 January, when the constitution, budget and statutory officers were confirmed.
The creation of the Combined Authority which comprises four councillors from York and North Yorkshire who will work with a newly elected mayor, follows the devolution agreed with central government and announced on Monday 1 August 2022.
So just what are the responsibilities of the new mayor who will take office on Tuesday 7 May?
The Mayor and Combined Authority have certain powers and responsibilities, devolved to them by central government.
In summary, these include:
* responsibility for the 30-year Mayoral Investment Fund worth £540 million and the powers to borrow against funds;
* full devolution of the adult education budget;
* powers to improve the supply and quality of housing and secure the development of land or infrastructure; powers and funds to improve transport through a consolidated, devolved, multi-year transport settlement;
*responsibilities for community safety and the powers to appoint a deputy mayor to carry out many of the duties previously held by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
According to the North Yorkshire Council web site (https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/york-and-north-yorkshire-combined-authority) from its launch to March 2025, the new combined authority will receive more than £56 million to invest for the benefit of communities across the region. This includes £12.7 million for housing, to deliver more than 700 new homes on brownfield sites, and a further £10 million to support transition to net zero, unlocking economic opportunity, empowering business growth and creating new and better paid jobs. An adult education budget will also be devolved to York and North Yorkshire.
Where will the new mayor’s office be located?
From 1 February, staff working for the combined authority use offices in York (West Offices, Station Rise) and Northallerton (County Hall). The mayor is set to work from both offices.
Election Candidates
(in alphabetical order)
- Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister is a businesswoman, and North Yorkshire councillor for Masham and Fountains. She represents the Liberal Democrat party.
- Cllr Keane Duncan is a North Yorkshire councillor for Norton. He represents the Conservative Party.
- Cllr Kevin Foster is a former soldier, and North Yorkshire councillor for Hipswell and Colburn. He represents the Green Party.
- Cllr Paul Haslam has his own management consultancy, and is the North Yorkshire councillor for Bilton and Nidd Gorge. He is standing as an independent candidate.
- David Skaith is a business owner and chair of the York High Street Forum, born in Harrogate and now living in Wheldrake. He represents the Labour Party.
- Keith Tordoff OBE is a former detective of Pateley Bridge. He is standing as an independent candidate.
The deadline for nominating candidates was 5 April after Community News went to press.
For more information, including voter registration, voting by post or by postal proxy, and how to apply for voter id, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/york-and-north-yorkshire-combined-authority-mayoral-election or call 03001312131 and ask for the electoral team.
