Council Restructuring Plans North Yorkshire County Council are bidding for Government funds which will involve re- organising all Councils across North Yorkshire. NYCC proposals can be found on their website here; https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/have-your-say Have your say by emailing the Council at: [email protected] Harrogate & District Green Party are working alongside other North Yorkshire Green Parties to discuss the proposals and put forward suggestions and solutions. The Green Parties across North Yorkshire think that the restructuring of local Councils should be led by local people and communities and not be imposed from top down by Central Government. The current plans indicate that they are being led by cost cutting motives and there is not enough emphasis on provision of quality and efficient services to meet a diverse range of needs. 1 (or 2) large Council(s) for the whole of North Yorkshire is far too large and as such will be even less accountable than the current District/County Council provision. NYCC councillors and officers often say how difficult it is to investigate particular issues in one part of the county because they are responsible for such a large area. A ‘mega’ NYCC would just make this worse. Questions to NYCC: - How many elected representatives will there be for local people to contact? Currently there are 18 County Councillors and 40 District Councillors representing Harrogate & District communities. This means 58 Councillor roles currently represent local people across the Harrogate District. There is clearly a need for much better engagement with local people, but how will this be achieved with fewer elected representatives? NYCC currently propose 25 Area Committees to cover the whole of North Yorkshire (Harrogate & Knaresborough, Skipton & Ripon, Thirsk & Malton, Scarborough District, Selby and York). The North Yorkshire Green Parties ask that: 1 – The Single Transferable Vote should be used to elect both Councillors and any Mayor(s) as is already the case in Scotland and London. This would ensure the Councils are more representative of varying opinions from local people. 2 – A Mayor’s Business Plan and Budget needs to be agreed by a majority vote of the whole Council to be enacted in the same way as happens with the London Mayor needing the approval of the Greater London Assembly to proceed. 3 – A nominated Deputy Mayor should be part of a Joint Ticket with the Mayoral Candidate in the elections (ie a Deputy Mayor should be the ‘candidate with second highest votes’ as elected by local people). 4 – Only Elected members should be part of the Mayor’s Cabinet. There should be no appointees. 5 – The new Council should have no fewer elected Councillors than currently exist in the current District Council arrangements to ensure proper representation for communities. 6 - A meaningful public consultation on any proposed new local government structures should be conducted. Such a consultation should be conducted fully within communities; to include a postal mail leaflet at the very least and not just an online consultation. This is to ensure full inclusivity and not to exclude those who could be disproportionately affected by any council re- organisation.

7 – The proposals should seek (via consultation) to fully address how diverse needs across the region will be fully met.

8 - The new Council should prioritise a commitment to declaring a Climate Emergency, Build Back Better and the Green New Deal.

9 – In light of the Conservative Party Government intention to break International Law, there needs to be time allowed for proper scrutiny of both the motivations and plans regarding restructuring. No corners should be cut in seeking to provide the best democratic services possible with a focus on empowering local people.