Chief executive hails chance for North Yorkshire’s ‘huge moment’

The chance to reshape local democracy in North Yorkshire presents some of the greatest ever opportunities to streamline key services and unlock millions of pounds in funding to counter intense financial pressures, the chief executive of a new single council has claimed.

Richard Flinton has today (Wednesday, August 17) been confirmed for the role of the most senior officer to oversee the new North Yorkshire Council, which will launch in the spring of next year.

The overhaul of local government is also set to pave the way for a long-awaited devolution deal, proposals of which were unveiled this month (August) and could see decision-making powers shifted from the Government to York and North Yorkshire with total funding of more than £540m over a 30-year period.

The appointment of Mr Flinton, who is currently the chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, was unanimously approved by members of the authority at a meeting today.

Mr Flinton’s forthcoming role involves overseeing about 10,500 staff, excluding schools, who will deliver the essential public services provided by the eight councils currently operating across England’s largest county. He will also be responsible for overseeing a budget of £1.4bn.

However, his appointment comes as inflation - the rate at which prices rise - rose to 10.1 per cent in July, which is the highest level for 40 years. Pressures on social care are being particularly keenly felt in North Yorkshire, as the county has an ageing population which has accentuated the need for services.

Challenges are also being witnessed by all local authorities nationally to recruit and retain staff, due to low unemployment rates and pressures to compete with the private sector.

Mr Flinton said: “I am honoured to have been chosen to become the chief executive of the new council at a time of huge change and opportunity in North Yorkshire.

“We are faced with some unprecedented challenges that have arisen from rising inflation as well as pressures on social care and also the issues which all local authorities are facing in recruiting and retaining staff to their workforces. But with those challenges come immense opportunities, while working with colleagues in North Yorkshire’s district and borough councils to introduce the new unitary authority.

“We will be able to streamline services and ensure even more value for money for North Yorkshire’s taxpayers, freeing up millions of pounds in funding. That funding will be used to support frontline services and also help alleviate the financial pressures which we all are experiencing.”

Mr Flinton’s appointment as the chief executive for the new single council is the next key step towards its launch on April 1 next year and follows the election, by North Yorkshire residents, of 90 councillors in May. These councillors will serve for the remaining seven-and-a-half months of the county council and then the first four years of the new authority.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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