Reaction to launch of York and North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce welcomes the official launch the York and North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, hailing it as a massive milestone for the region.

The new combined authority officially launched on February 1 at York’s historic Guildhall and follows several years of hard work to bring devolution to York and North Yorkshire, with a mayor for the region now set to be elected on May 2.

Richard Flinton, Chief Executive at North Yorkshire Council and Councillor Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, both spoke of the importance of partnership working to make devolution a success and the unique opportunities that come with a mayor.

From transport to economic development and fire services, the mayor’s portfolio will span business and resident needs. With half a billion pounds dedicated for long term investment in the region, the new Mayoral Combined Authority and the mayor that comes with it will have an important seat at the political table, addressing key issues around skills, transport and housing as a whole region.

As James Farrar, interim Head of Paid Service at the Mayoral Combined Authority, said at the launch event; the mayor’s role will see them selling the region and being the figurehead in the region for politics.

Although the launch has happened, the real preparation for devolution starts now. The West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce have partnered with York and York St John universities to ask business leaders of their needs for devolution, as part of the Devolution Alliance.

We are also hosting election hustings with other business professional bodies ahead of the elections, to give businesses the chance to ask the questions that matter to them and the wider economy.

The mayoral elections in North Yorkshire will be held on May 2, 2024.

If you would like to speak to the Chamber of Commerce more about this, email Charlie Lavemai-Goldsbrough, Policy and Representation Executive for North Yorkshire, at charlie.lavemai-goldsbrough@wnychamber.co.uk.