District leaders accuse North Yorkshire County Council of using 'propaganda' on devolution bid for super council

It comes after North Yorkshire County Council this week issued a press release claiming Durham County Council had given a "strong backing" to its plans to create a so-called super council.

The release included a video of Durham’s chief executive Terry Collins, but just hours later, Durham’s leader, councillor Simon Henig, denied the whole council had shown any such support.

“We have not had a vote on this and would not seek to give our views on what should happen in other areas", councillor Henig told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Harrogate's opposition parties look to York link-up in new devolution speculation

It has prompted leaders of North Yorkshire’s seven districts - including Harrogate Borough Council's Richard Cooper - to call on the county council to “play fair” with the public.

Speaking on behalf of the seven district leaders, Selby's councillor Mark Crane said: “The public deserve honesty and fairness as we work out the future of local government in North Yorkshire and York. But it is becoming clear that North Yorkshire County Council is instead resorting to propaganda to overstate support for its mega-council model.

“In contrast, we're listening to the public and we're thinking carefully, because we want to get change right.

“We promise to play fair, to be frank, and to be open and responsive to feedback, as we work with our residents, businesses and partners to build the very best proposal for new local government.

"We call upon North Yorkshire County Council to do the same.”

Harrogate district councillors' hopes and fears of devolution for North Yorkshire and York

North Yorkshire County Council has said a so-called super council to serve 600,000 residents - whilst leaving City of York and its population of around 200,000 intact - is the best way forward for devolution.

Meanwhile, the region's seven district leaders are said to be exploring the creation of two councils of roughly equal size - around 400,000 residents - by involving York in their joint-proposals.

While councillor Henig said he would not back North Yorkshire’s bid, other leading politicians in Durham went further, and warned North Yorkshire against becoming a single unitary authority.

The deadline for council leaders to submit their devolution proposals to the government is September.

North Yorkshire County Council has said it will respond in a statement.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter