Last week Julian Smith met with the Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, David Skaith, at County Hall in Northallerton. Mr Skaith was elected in May 2024 to serve as the first-ever Mayor for York and North Yorkshire.
After local government reorganisation, a 30-year devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire, including an investment fund exceeding £500 million, was announced in August 2022. This resulted in the establishment of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority on 1 February 2024.
The Mayor is the leader of the Combined Authority and their role is to work with local leaders to develop a long-term vision and attract more investment to the region.
Commenting on the meeting Julian said, “Given the Mayor’s significant power and influence following devolution it is important that Mr Skaith is aware of the challenges people in our constituency face and the opportunities which devolution offers to address those challenges.
“We had a wide-ranging discussion from housing and more funds for public toilets in the most rural areas to the growth plan for North Yorkshire and York. Throughout the meeting I pressed the case to ensure our constituency is carefully considered, and its rural nature is taken into account when decisions are being made for the area as a whole.”
