York and North Yorkshire devolution

The creation of the Combined Authority follows the process of devolution set out by government.

Devolution sees the government hand over decision-making powers to local political leaders and provide millions of pounds in funding to shape major policies and projects on a regional level.

Timeline in York and North Yorkshire

Throughout 2020, meetings took place at each council to formally agree to begin the process of negotiating a devolution deal with government by agreeing to the proposals, or ‘asks’, they collectively drew up.

The council’s Executive discussed and agreed a proposal regarding these ‘asks’ of government at a meeting of the Executive on 23 July 2020.

These were subsequently adopted by Full Council on 29 October 2020, before they were sent to the government for consideration in December 2020.

Following government consultation on local government reorganisation it was announced in July 2021 that North Yorkshire Council and the 7 district and borough councils would be replaced by a new, single unitary council for North Yorkshire in April 2023, with City of York Council remaining as it is.

On 2 February 2022, the government’s Levelling Up White Paper was published. It sets out the principles, proposals and measures the government used to guide policy and decision-making. It also contained a specific commitment to agreeing the Mayoral Combined Authority deal for York and North Yorkshire.

A proposed York and North Yorkshire devolution deal was announced on Monday 1 August 2022. The proposed deal was signed by former Council Leader, Councillor Keith Aspden, the Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Councillor Carl Les, and Greg Clark MP, the then Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities of the United Kingdom.

To progress work required to establish the Combined Authority, City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council established a Joint Devolution Committee. This met between November 2022 and December 2023.

On 20 December 2023, the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 was passed by Parliament. This allowed powers to move from Westminster to the region.

On 22 January 2024, the inaugural meeting of the Combined Authority saw the endorsement of its constitution, budget and statutory officers.

On 1 February 2024, the Combined Authority was formally launched.

On 2 May 2024, the Mayor for York and North Yorkshire was elected.

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