Local Government Consultation Feb 2021
Please click here to download the document
The Government has indicated that it is intending to consult on proposals for local government reorganisation in North Yorkshire and York; this consultation is likely to launch in mid-February.
As you may well be aware, last summer the Government made it clear to local councils in North Yorkshire and York that they must reorganise local government in order to secure a devolution deal for the region.
Before Christmas, the six district and borough councils of Craven, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby, submitted a full business case for reorganisation to Government.
Our proposal is for an ‘East & West’ model, which would see Craven, Harrogate, Richmondshire and Hambleton join together to form a unitary council in the West, and Selby, City of York, Ryedale and Scarborough join together to form a unitary council in the East. Many parish councils across North Yorkshire and York have been supportive of this East & West model.
Hambleton District Council has chosen not to be involved in the submission of any proposal to Government; however, this is a crucial decision which will affect the lives of all 800,000 people in North Yorkshire and York, so we feel it is important that you are informed of the options.
Government Consultation
It is likely that key stakeholder organisations and local authorities will be asked for their opinions on two proposals:
• The East & West model, which would create two balanced unitary authorities, with a population of 465,000 in the East, and 363,000 in the West.
• North Yorkshire County Council’s proposals for a unitary authority to cover the whole of North Yorkshire, representing 600,000 people and 3,000 square miles, leaving the City of York as a small unitary authority representing around 200,000 people.
Any parish or town council, local organisation, business or member of the public will also be able to respond to the consultation.
Our detailed proposal can be found at www.get-change-right.com - here you will find more information about what our model means for town and parish councils, other organisations, and communities across North Yorkshire and York.
Why East & West is best for democracy and decision-making
• Town and Parish Councils
Town and parish councils will have a strong voice within new Locality Committees (see below for how these will work). You will help to shape local action plans, and make sure they meet local needs.
If they want to, town and parish councils will have the option to take on responsibility for local assets and services. As part of our consultation process, we asked town and parish councils which services they might wish to take on; the top five services were street cleaning, street naming, tourism services, health and wellbeing initiatives, and library services.
Our research confirmed that whilst there is limited appetite for taking on assets, there is stronger support for delivering some services. The research also confirmed that each town and parish council is different, so we will take an individual and flexible approach so that each council can choose what is right for them.
• Democratic representation
Our proposal recommends between 154 and 197 councillors across the two unitary authorities. Each councillor would represent between 3,000 and 4,000 electors, which fits comfortably with recent recommendations by the Local Boundary Commission for England.
• Locality Committees
Each councillor will serve on a Locality Committee for their area, working with representatives from town and parish councils, and connected communities.
Each unitary will have a minimum of four Locality Committees initially – likely to reflect the current district and City of York boundaries.
The Locality Committee will have the authority and budget to make decisions at a local level (e.g. local planning, licensing, highways), so decision-making is kept as close as possible to communities, and is responsive to local needs.
Your views are important
We hope that you will take part in this important consultation when it is launched by Government. Local government reorganisation will affect the lives of all our residents; it’s crucial that we get change right. If you would like to give us any feedback then please do get in touch with us.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Richard Foster, Leader of Craven District Council
Councillor Richard Cooper, Leader of Harrogate Borough Council
Councillor Angie Dale, Leader of Richmondshire District Council
Councillor Keane Duncan, Leader of Ryedale District Council
Councillor Steve Siddons, Leader of Scarborough Borough Council
Councillor Mark Crane, Leader of Selby District Council
Latest News
OPEN SESSION - prior to start of Parish Council meeting. 1. PRESENT 2. APOLOGIES 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (31 March 2026 - Minute Ref: 347) 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES (1) Item 6 – Church grass-cutting – Mr Clarke to report. 5. PLANNING (1) New Application: Stannum Barn, Pickhill: erect timber workshop. (2) Any updates on earlier applications. 6. FINANCE (1) Update on accounts since last Parish Council meeting. (2) AGAR: Applying for exemption from central audit of accounts 2025/26 7. PROJECTS (1) Proposed improvements to car parking in Pickhill (2) Litter / dog waste bins in Pickhill and Sinderby 8. CORRESPONDENCE (circulated to Councillors prior to meeting) 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS (1) Setting date of Annual General Meeting in May 2026 Norma Grubb, Clerk to the Parish Council. Posted: 7 April 2026 Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk
OPEN SESSION: Mr Walker referred to potholes at the bend out of Sinderby towards Pickhill, and a groove in the verge on Lowfields Lane, just after the school. Noted. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Jim Wadsworth. Also: Cllr D Webster (NYC) , Mr D Grubb (minutes). Residents: Mr R Walker. 2. APOLOGIES: Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mr Minty Scaife 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (4 Nov 2024 Ref 345) Agreed: signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: nil 5. PLANNING (1) Land off Sinderby Lane, Sinderby : proposal to demolish existing farm buildings and build new dwelling (consent previously granted to alter to a dwelling). Agreed: No objection (2) Beechcroft, Pickhill : create annexe in existing outbuilding. Agreed: No objection 6. FINANCE (1) Update provided on current account balance. (2) Highways seek confirmation of Parish Council once again mowing their splays. Agreed. Parish Clerk pointed out that Highways had not yet made payment for the 2024 season, after invoices were submitted in March 2025. These have been re-submitted. Noted. 7. PROJECTS (1) Update on car parking improvement proposals for Pickhill: Mr Barker reported there are two Types of grid matting – one lies on surface and grass grows through; the other – more expensive option - is laid on hardcore with soil and grass seed applied into grid. He suggests that we level up with soil and then consider matting. The soil is available, just need volunteers with tractors/trailers. . (2) Update on litter and dog waste bins – Pickhill and Sinderby. The request for renewal/repair was submitted in November. Still await response. 8. CORRESPONDENCE (circulated to Councillors prior to meeting). Nothing requiring action 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS Councillor David Webster reports the NYC budget debate would be on 13 February. There is a £42m loss of income due to agricultural changes and a £17m deficit on CARE and SEND costs. The savings from the new County have been absorbed and there is less coming from central government. Roll-out of new refuse collection arrangements is imminent. Local elections will be in May 2027. There will be boundary changes for our division (Bedale) to accommodate reduction of council seats to 89. In answer to a question from Mr Wadsworth, Cllr Webster explained the CIL payment rules and exemptions, for new build homes and policies for affordable housing and the Govt targets for housing. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Following on from the discussion re CIL payments, Mr Barker asked the Parish Clerk to check if there were any outstanding payments due to our Parish, from recent building projects. Signed: R Barker Dated: 31.3.2026