The purpose of this report is for Cabinet to make a decision on the submission of a devolution proposal to Government for North Yorkshire and the City of York.  Cabinet considered a similar report in July 2020 but decided to defer a decision on the submission of a devolution proposal to await further information and the expected publication of a devolution White Paper (Minute CA.69).

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council the submission to Government of the devolution proposal for North Yorkshire and the City of York.

The subject of the decision:

This report asked Cabinet to consider and make a decision on the submission of a devolution proposal to Government for North Yorkshire and the City of York.  Cabinet had considered a similar report in July 2020 but decided to defer a decision on the submission of a devolution proposal to await further information and the expected publication of a devolution White Paper (Minute CA.69).

Alternative options considered:

Cabinet considered the options as set out in the report.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that, if approval is obtained from all constituent authorities regarding the devolution proposal it would be sent to Central Government for their consideration. Once they have had an opportunity to consider the proposals they will respond with their proposed Devolution Deal.  At that stage each constituent council would be presented with the Government’s offer and each authority would then be formally requested to consider whether it wished to formally trigger a Governance Review to start the legal process of establishing a Combined Authority and a Mayor

The decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council the submission to Government of the devolution proposal for North Yorkshire and the City of York.