Local authorities push for Yorkshire devolution

It would give Yorkshire more of a say over its future and funding.

Last month, Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis admitted that “not enough progress” had been made on devolution since he took on the role in May.

The political leaders signed up to One Yorkshire, who include Leeds leader Coun Judith Blake, Coun Carl Les of North Yorkshire County Council and Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones, responded that they were ready to “work at pace” to reach an agreement that would allow a Yorkshire Mayor to be elected in 2020.

Now, Scarborough Borough Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the process.

In a statement, the authority said: “The One Yorkshire agreement would see the creation of a Mayor of Yorkshire in 2020 so that decisions currently taken by the Government in London would in future be taken in the region.

“It would also allow Yorkshire to have access to funding and other benefits currently enjoyed by areas which already have devolution agreements such as Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.

“It is estimated that a One Yorkshire devolution agreement could help create 200,000 additional jobs and raise incomes by £500 per person over and above current economic forecasts.”

The council has published the details of the devolution deal, which was sent to the Government in March, on its website for residents of the borough to read.

Among its aims are to try to raise the living standards in Yorkshire’s coastal areas.