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
A message from RAF Leeming: RAF Leeming will soon be entering a period of exercise hosting, during which there will be additional jet and helicopter movement. The local community can expect increased flying from 20 August to 2 October - including some night flying. We understand that Exercises can cause disturbance to the local community, and endeavour to minimise low and late flying in particular. Norma Grubb, Clerk to the Parish Council, 15 August 2026 Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk
OPEN SESSION : Mrs Clarke – re anaerobic digester for Low Ness, she did not object to the project, - her concern is the junction of A6055 with site access road – danger from heavy traffic turning. Would Highways be involved and are alterations proposed for the junction? Mr Trewhitt, from Low Ness, understands traffic consultants are involved. The company leading the proposals, Engie, are sending leaflets to all residents and holding a public consultation at Carthorpe on 16 July. Mr Barker pointed out the site itself and the junction, are in Burneston Parish, and residents may wish to make representations to them. Mrs Clarke gave her thanks and then left the meeting. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk). Also: D Grubb (Minutes). Residents: Mr & Mrs Trewhitt, 2. APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife, Cllr David Webster (NYC). 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (21 May ‘26 – Minute Ref. 349) Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES : Church Hill – road surface: Parish Clerk is liaising with Highways. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: Scarborough House Farm: proposed new farm building . Agreed: no objections. 2. New Application: Broadlea, Pickhill: proposed additional bungalow as part of existing development. Noted that the application is based on 2019 planning, granted to convert existing bungalow into semi detached dormers. However in 2024 permission was granted to demolish existing bungalow and build two detached dormers. Agreed: No objection to new application. 3. Pre-Planning Consultation: proposed agricultural anaerobic digestion facility on land off the A1(M) at YO7 4LJ: land at Low Ness Farm. Whilst Low Ness is in this Parish, the digester site is just in Burneston Parish, as is the access road and junction with A6055. Public consultation session at Carthorpe on 16 July. Parish Councillors can access a separate Zoom facility,plus a site visit can be arranged with Mr Trewhitt direct. Noted. 4. New Application: Ramshaw Farm, Pickhill: change of use – agricultural land to dog exercise/training area, plus create caravan storage compound. Agreed: No objection. 5. New Application: (received that day) : Scots Dene, Pickhill: convert integral garage into liveable room. Agreed: No objection. 6. Updates on Earlier Applications: none. 6. FINANCE: 1. Parish Clerk’s Update: Mrs Grubb clarified issue from last meeting re grasscutting bill. The invoice for 2025 growing season was only received on 14 April 2026 so is in the 2026/27 accounts. Noted. 2. Financial records for 2025/2026: have been posted on the Parish Council website. Noted. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Car Parking Improvements at Pickhill: Mr Barker reported that multiple tons of soil had been placed and levelled on the site in the past week. Now to be harrowed and grass seeded. Samples of the two types of surface grid were examined. Agreed: heavier type to be ordered. 400sq meters = approx £12,000 plus VAT. (VAT is recoverable). Mr Barker to get the final figure and circulate it. Parish Clerk has received offer of £300 grant from NYC towards the fence. It was proposed this fence should go length of the site; creosoted posts 7ft 6in, finished fence height at 4ft. Agreed. Revised fence specification. Parish Clerk to obtain quotes. Mr Clarke said that Mike Barker had provided extended use of a large excavator for the site and should be offered something towards the substantial diesel costs. The Chairman suggested Mike would be happy with written thanks from the Parish Council. Parish Clerk to deal. The work had unearthed a long time buried roadside drainage grate at the corner of Church House garden wall. It is full of soil/debris and requires clearing. Parish Clerk to contact Highways. 2. Playground: Mr Barker will carry out maintenance review, prior to ROSPA inspection due September. 8. CORRESPONDENCE : (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): 1. Email from Sinderby resident re a public health issue . Environmental Health at NYC had been contacted. Mr Barker & Mr Clarke have arranged to speak to the agent for the land concerned. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Mr Clarke: The seat around the Lime tree on Pickhill Village Green is obstructed by new growth. Could this be trimmed back? Agreed: requires trimming. Mr Barker to contact usual contractor. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS : Nil. Signed: R Barker Dated: 18/8/26 New Paragraph