Regional body launch momentous moment say leaders

Senior York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority officer James Farrar speaks at the new body's launch event on Thursday

The launch of a new combined authority for York and North Yorkshire has been hailed as a "momentous" occasion for the region.

The new body came into effect on Thursday, following a devolution deal struck between the City of York Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the government in 2022.

The deal will see more than £750m in funding devolved to the combined authority from central government over 30 years.

At a launch event at York's Guildhall, leaders of both councils vowed to put their political differences aside in the interests of making the arrangement work.

Labour councillor Claire Douglas, the leader of City of York Council, said she'd "built a respectful and productive partnership" with Conservative-run North Yorkshire, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

She said: "Even though we have got quite different politics and challenges we have got clear threads that run through the challenges of York and North Yorkshire, such as affordable housing and getting around efficiently.”

The new authority will have responsibility for transport and business support

The combined authority does not replace the existing councils, which will continue to deliver services to residents.

Ms Douglas and North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les had earlier branded the new organisation's first day "momentous".

Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire Council, told the Guildhall there would be “some difficult and testing conversations” between the two authorities, but that “collective endeavour” would be the combined authority’s “guiding star”.

He added: "It is absolutely crucial that we stay working together as a city and a county."

Under the arrangements, the mayoral authority will have responsibility for transport as well as aspects of education and business support.

It will also be the first in England to have responsibility for the governance of the region's fire and rescue service.

The role of North Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner will be merged with that of the new mayor, who will be elected on 2 May this year.

The mayor will appoint a deputy with responsibility for policing, fire and crime to perform the day-to-day functions of the role.