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
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OPEN SESSION : nil 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Minty Scaife, Mr Jim Wadsworth. Also: D Grubb (Minutes). 2. APOLOGIES: Cllr David Webster (NYC) 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (14 April ‘26 – Minute Ref. 348) Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 14 APRIL : 1 . Dog Fouling (raised in Open Session): Mr Barker referred to the complaint received at the previous parish council meeting. This was the only complaint on this subject raised in the past 12 months. The Parish Council still has spare signs from when they were placed around the village green. Agreed to look at placing additional signs; the Parish Council would not approach the school. 2. Crisis & Resilience Fund (raised at item 8): Parish Clerk reported that an information notice about this emergency funding source had been circulated via the Parish Council website, notice-boards and the villages on-line “Chatter” page, as requested by the Chairman. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: Sinderby Lane – proposed new barn & hardstanding . Agreed: no objections. 2. New Application: Low Ness Farm – farm buildings. Decided by Planning: no application needed. 3. Updates on Earlier Applications: Stannum Barn – plans for workshop now granted. Noted. 6. FINANCE: 1. Parish Clerk’s Update: Half payment received on Precept, other half will be paid in October. We have been advised the Parish Council is to receive a CIL payment of £5775.30 for the two new houses under construction in Sinderby. The Zurich insurance policy is due for renewal at £459. Zurich offered a cheaper on-line policy, but enquiries revealed that the zip-wire means we are not eligible for it. This prompted a cover review by them; as a result we have added the new goal posts, picnic benches, blue bench seats and playground fence – at no extra cost this year. Payment agreed. 2. Accounts/AGAR returns: to be posted on Parish Council website as required by regulations. Noted. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Car Parking . Mr Barker reported there were two types of matting. The best option would be mud control mats, but this would be around £12,000 (level area and lay mats). The cheaper mats require hard-standing beneath. Mr Barker has obtained samples of both but proposes the mud control type - much stronger, easier to install and grass will grow through, in time. We await hearing re the grant we have applied for towards the associated fencing. For next Agenda. 2. Playground: There would be a maintenance review this summer, prior to ROSPA inspection. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): Nothing requiring action. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Cllr Webster (NYC) has sent an update on current county issues: Attached as an appendix . Mrs Grubb: Mr Robson had raised the state of the road surface on Church Hill, breaking up. She will report it to Highways. Noted. Mrs Grubb: When a CIL payment is made, we get 15% and NYC get the remainder. Parish Councils who have registered a Neighbourhood Plan are entitled to a 25% share. However there is a lot of work required in preparing, finalising and having a plan adopted. She had a sample from another Parish Council. Noted. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS : Nil. Signed: R Barker Dated: 2 July 2026