Harrogate’s transport leader 'honoured' to run for powerful new £540m role of elected mayor for North Yorkshire and York

Part of local devolution, if successful, Coun Keane Duncan would be overseeing as much as £540 million of government investment in North Yorkshire.

Currently North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Coun Duncan would lead a new powerful combined authority that would oversee key strategic projects ranging from major transport improvements to providing more affordable housing and boosting skills and education for York and North Yorkshire – and also take over the powers currently held by the police, fire and crime commissioner.

The selection of Coun Duncan, 28, who is a journalist and works as a deputy news editor on the Daily Star, was made last Friday when he defeated two rivals – North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe and tech entrepreneur Matthew Freckelton.

Coun Duncan said: “It’s an honour to to win the confidence of party members and be selected to fight in this critical election.

"Working with Rishi Sunak, our MPs and councillors I will build a York and North Yorkshire open for business, proud of success and tough on crime where everyone can achieve their full potential.

“Our landmark £540m devolution deal heralds a new era for our area and represents an unprecedented opportunity to grow our county’s economy."

The first elected Mayor of a York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will be decided in elections held in May 2024 as part of ‘levelling up’.

At the moment, Coun Duncan, who lives in Malton and served as Leader of Ryedale District Council from May 2019 to February 2021, has his hands full with two divisive issues close to the heart of Harrogate voters:

The North Yorkshire Council-backed £11.2m Harrogate Gateway project to bring cycle lanes and pedestrianisation to the Station Parade area.

Campaigns by Harrogate residents and headteachers for the introduction of a new 20mph speed limit near schools located in the south and western areas of the town.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrews Jones hailed Mr Duncan as a born and bred North Yorkshireman who had an impressive understanding of how to address the county’s challenges and opportunities.

Mr Jones said: “Keane’s enthusiasm for and knowledge of York and North Yorkshire is impressive.

“He understands the challenges we face and the opportunities which devolution offers to address those challenges in transport, skills, housing and employment.

“I look forward to working with Keane between now and the election next May to put these exciting opportunities in front of the electorate and win support for them.”

Outlining a positive vision of the future in every corner of the county should he win next year’s first-ever mayoral election for York and North Yorkshire, Keane Duncan said: “My vision for York and North Yorkshire is one that is open for business and proud of success - a greener and more productive area embracing future industries and offering highly-skilled, well-paid job opportunities.

“It is of an area with affordable housing on brownfield sites so people who work here can afford to live here.

“It is of an area where our transport is connected, affordable and accessible.

“It is of an area where no matter our background, or our upbringing or our beliefs we all have a stake in its success.

“And of course, it is of a York and North Yorkshire that is safer for everyone."