Tory seeking to be North Yorkshire's first elected mayor announces major pledge on taxes

A mayoral candidate hoping to lead York and North Yorkshire after this year’s election says he has has ruled out charging a new tax if he is elected in May.
By Graham Chalmers
Published 7th Feb 2024, 12:06 GMT
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The York & North Yorkshire Mayor will have power to add to council tax bills by an uncapped amount to fund new responsibilities such as transport and housing.

But Tory mayoral candidate Keane Duncan, 28, who is from Norton, said the public should be reassured he will not charge a single penny in taxes for anything other than essential police and fire services if he secures the key role.

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Under his plan, new functions will be funded from the £750 million devolution deal and by leveraging private sector investment rather than via a new mayoral precept.

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No new tax pledge - York and North Yorkshire Tory mayoral candidate Keane Duncan said the public should be reassured he will not charge a single penny in taxes for anything other than essential police and fire services if he secures the key role. (Picture contributed)No new tax pledge - York and North Yorkshire Tory mayoral candidate Keane Duncan said the public should be reassured he will not charge a single penny in taxes for anything other than essential police and fire services if he secures the key role. (Picture contributed)
No new tax pledge - York and North Yorkshire Tory mayoral candidate Keane Duncan said the public should be reassured he will not charge a single penny in taxes for anything other than essential police and fire services if he secures the key role. (Picture contributed)

Mr Duncan said: “I can confirm I will charge you, the taxpayer, precisely zero pounds and zero pence for new mayoral responsibilities.

“I will not add to your council tax bills by asking you to pay for anything other than essential police and fire services.

“This will be the case this year and every year of my term as mayor.”

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“With £750m of investment from central government secured by May’s mayoral election, I would have vital funding to begin unlocking growth, jobs and opportunities.

“And by investing this wisely to leverage private sector funding, I will ensure we turn every pound into several more.

“My approach means no new tax. No costly layer of bureaucracy. Just transformative investment in the future of York and North Yorkshire.”

North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service precepts are currently set by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

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But the role will be abolished in May and the responsibilities transferred to the newly-elected mayor.

The Labour Party’s candidate is York business leader David Skaith, who was born in Harrogate.

The Liberal Democrats have chosen Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, the owner of Swinton Park, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister.

The Green Party candidate is former soldier Kevin Foster.

Standing as an Independent is former police officer and Pateley Bridge man Keith Tordoff.

The mayoral election takes place on Thursday, May 2.