North Yorkshire’s new council puts job creation and sustainability at the forefront

Creating new jobs, tackling climate change and ensuring families can afford to buy their own homes will be key priorities set out in a detailed plan for a new council which will launch in the spring.

The new North Yorkshire Council, which represents the biggest overhaul of local democracy in nearly 50 years, will provide a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to help tackle some of the biggest challenges facing communities across the county.

Among major issues outlined in a draft Council Plan for the new authority are a need to attract new businesses while developing traditional sectors such as farming and tourism, and ensuring there are the best career opportunities available for young people so they continue to live in North Yorkshire.

More affordable homes, environmentally-friendly projects such as reducing waste and improving public transport and boosting health and wellbeing are also among the wide-ranging benefits due to be brought about by the new council, which launches on April 1.

Senior councillors on North Yorkshire County Council’s decision-making executive will meet on Tuesday next week (January 24) to discuss the draft plan. It has been drawn up to take into account the thousands of views that were given last year during the biggest public engagements ever undertaken by councils in North Yorkshire.

The leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Carl Les, who will assume the leadership of the new authority, commented: “This plan sets out our vision, ambitions and priorities for North Yorkshire and the approach we are taking to achieve them. We are committed to delivering high-performing and value-for-money services.

“We will encourage more involvement from local people and partners by championing local action and creating opportunities for local communities to come together to identify solutions and develop their own priorities.”

One of the biggest themes for the new council will be how it will serve communities to deliver services ranging from education and highways to waste collection and disposal, planning and economic development.

Residents will be given simpler and easier access to services which will be overseen by a single organisation, instead of the current structure of the county council and seven district and borough authorities. There will also be a single website and phone number for communities to access support and services.

A main office is due to be retained in each area to provide public access to locally-based staff. A network of local access points in towns and villages is also set to be established.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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