Why North Yorkshire unitary council plan has grassroots support – Carl Les

Today, on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council, I can reveal the strength and depth of the support we have received for our bid to central government to create a single new council for our county and drive the post-pandemic economic recovery.

With the NHS, the police, the fire and rescue service, business leaders, charities and union officials on board, our proposed model of local government reorganisation in partnership with the City of York demonstrates that we are stronger together in North Yorkshire.

Instead of the divisive, disruptive east-west proposal that would cast our county asunder, our bid would pave the way for the best possible devolution deal with the least possible delay and unlock new investment in infrastructure worth up to £2.4bn.

Inviting proposals from North Yorkshire in the autumn, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Where this is local support, changing the structure of local government can offer better value for money and improved services for residents.”

Our proposal can demonstrate it has local, grassroots support to protect the powerful North Yorkshire brand, further strengthen public services and deliver a revolution in community empowerment.

In a substantial addendum to our bid, we have outlined with full transparency the polls, the surveys, the focus groups, the sector webinars, the working parties and the wide-ranging engagement we have undertaken with the public and our staff to finalise our submission to central government.

This is not the work of external consultants. This is the outcome of extensive consultation with the very people who rely on public services to live and work in our county. It is also deeply informed by the key workers who deliver these vital services on the frontline.

We have listened and learned and together we have produced a proposal that demonstrates undeniable support. Put plainly, the people are saying the single, strong unitary council is common sense for North Yorkshire.

Conversations and correspondence with partners, the public and businesses brought out a number of key themes. They value the strength of our brand. They believe in the importance of having a powerful voice. They want services to be delivered locally and in a simpler, more cost-effective way. And they say reorganisation must be carried out with minimal disruption.

A market research company surveyed a randomised sample of 409 residents by telephone. Of these, 89 per cent said they ‘very strongly’ or ‘strongly’ belonged to North Yorkshire. These are views backed up by business. Andy Slee, chairman of the iconic Black Sheep Brewery, said: “A single unitary authority is the best option for my business. It will maintain and develop the strong brand of North Yorkshire which is very important for Black Sheep Brewery.”

In our telephone survey, 88 per cent of people showed strong support for a strong, unified voice that stands up for all of North Yorkshire. Again, business is backing this up. Stuart Paver, the award-winning entrepreneur and co-owner of York-based global retailer Pavers Shoes, said: “A single unitary authority will give the county the strongest possible voice and help create the conditions for economic growth.”

People want local delivery to be at the heart of the new council. We agree. In our online views panel of 397 people, 80 per cent of respondents agreed that our proposal for 25 local forums in market towns areas would be a good idea to help people and organisations work together on local priorities.

People told us they want simpler and more cost-effective public services. In our online panel, 73 per cent of respondents agreed one point of contact for all local government services would simplify things for them. A further 88 per cent said savings should be made by reducing senior management roles and ending duplication.

Most importantly, people believe minimum disruption is essential to protect vulnerable residents and high-performing services. In our telephone survey, 76 per cent of respondents were against breaking up our existing services for children and adults. To do otherwise would be reckless in the extreme.

Our partners in the NHS, the police, the fire and rescue service, business, charities and unions, plus the public on the evidence of our extensive engagements, are backing our bid for a single new council in North Yorkshire. They know we are stronger together. That is what I call strong grassroots support.

• Carl Les is leader of North Yorkshire County Council. He is a Conservative councillor.

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