Mayor’s pledge for communities in York and North Yorkshire

The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, is putting healthy and thriving communities at the heart of his work. 

Mayor Skaith has confirmed his vision and priorities today (Friday 8 November) as he marks six months since taking office on 7 May 2024.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “We have been working hard to ensure devolution is delivering for York and North Yorkshire. By listening and engaging with people from across the region, we have made sure our plans are right for York and North Yorkshire. We have got programmes off the ground and investments have been made, on areas such as housing, transport and growth.

“The Combined Authority has also agreed draft strategic growth priorities for York and North Yorkshire. These priorities will help influence the National Industrial Strategy and reflect our focus around, for example, food, farming, and sustainable place and, to inform our Local Growth Plan which will launch in Spring 2025.

“To mark my first six months in office, I have set out my vision as Mayor. I want to ensure that devolution delivers healthy and thriving communities across York and North Yorkshire and this means delivering growth and opportunities that benefit everyone at a local level."

The Mayor's vision is to enable ‘healthy and thriving communities' by using his devolved powers to:

• Create healthy and resilient communities – identifying gaps in provision and delivering a long-term plan for support services in the region
• Connect people to opportunity – creating an affordable, reliable, and sustainable transport system that puts passengers first and reduces dependency on the car
• Provide warm and affordable homes – delivering affordable and social housing, increasing innovation and support retrofitting to reduce energy costs
• Connect people to the outdoors – making outdoor spaces safe, accessible and affordable for everyone
• Ensure safe places for all – prioritising early intervention, tackling violence against women and girls, domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour and rural crime

North Yorkshire Council's leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “The opportunities which we are presented through devolution are vital for all of our communities and businesses in York and North Yorkshire.

“We have the chance to have greater control on shaping our future with more decision-making on a local level and millions of pounds in extra funding from the Government.

“The mayor's vision sets out the key priorities for the whole region, taking in a wide range of topics that remain at the heart of what we are trying to do to improve the opportunities for everyone here.

“This includes better housing, improved public transport links that are sustainable and environmentally-friendly, and making York and North Yorkshire even safer and the best possible places to live, work and visit.”

Ian Floyd, Chief Operating Officer at City of York Council said: “Devolution is already bringing significant benefits to York and North Yorkshire, with over £18m of additional investment in York alone, helping to create jobs and grow the local economy, build affordable housing, install electric vehicle charging infrastructure and invest millions in other schemes that will significantly reduce the city's impact on the climate.

“A key priority of our Council Plan, ‘One City For All' is to realise the economic opportunities presented by devolution, York Central and the bioeconomy. We are looking forward to further work through the Combined Authority over the years ahead that maximises these opportunities and the benefits of devolution for the residents of York”.

Funding for community hubs

Mayor Skaith has supported a £760,000 contribution to the North Yorkshire Community Buildings Programme. The decision signals the Mayor's commitment to healthy and thriving communities as funds will expand the impact of the programme, with around 25 further community buildings expected to receive funds.

The funding will extend previous investment given to 43 similar schemes by North Yorkshire Council using the Shared Prosperity Fund, for improvements to community hubs, such as village halls, sports clubs, and churches.

Investment will support the creation of around 400 new activities or events, engage 5,000 new users, and create 200 volunteering opportunities.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “Community buildings provide essential hubs for local people, particularly in rural areas. In some cases they can be the only place for several miles where people can gather, socialise and access services. They often serve several purposes and are so often the heart of their communities.

“Communities are at the heart of what we do, and the benefits of devolution need to be felt at a community level. Providing people with opportunities to access support, events and activities that support wellbeing is central to my mission of developing healthy and thriving communities.

“This funding will ensure buildings can offer fit for purpose, sustainable and welcoming spaces, offering vital services for many years ahead.”

Previous schemes have included rebuilding a cricket pavilion that also offers hireable space in the village, creating an accessible path to a church, and support for community allotments.

North Yorkshire Council's leader, Cllr Carl Les, added: “These facilities are at the very heart of our communities in North Yorkshire and play such an important role in bringing people together.

“As a council, we serve England's largest county and many of our communities are often in deeply rural locations.

“To have a commitment from the mayor for the £760,000 in funding is extremely welcome, and it will help to continue the work that has already been done to ensure we have the best possible community venues throughout North Yorkshire.”

Key milestones in the Mayor's first six months include:

• Ambition to become England's first Carbon Negative region by 2040, including a commitment of £14 million funding to help achieve this

• Four new funds worth up to £27.5 million agreed in principle. The Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, Carbon Negative Challenge Fund, Business Innovation Fund and Skills Innovation Fund aim to enable growth across the region and test new ideas

• Invest in York and North Yorkshire partnership, a driver for inward investment, has been launched, with the Mayor identifying six key sectors he believes are key to economic growth

• Launching the consultation of the police, fire and crime plan to form the Mayor's first Police and Crime Plan and, Fire Plan for 2025 - 2029 for the region. The consultation closes on Monday 18 November and completed at www.yourpoliceandfire.com