DISTRICT COUNCIL leaders have welcomed the announcement that plans to create a single unitary council for North Yorkshire have been thrown out.

They say the government's decision to retain the existing local government structures for the county is the 'best possible solution' for all the communities of North Yorkshire.

Common sense has prevailed - all the points we have made have been
heard

Councillor Arthur Barker - Hambleton District Council

North Yorkshire County Council had submitted plans earlier this year for a unitary authority that would have seen it providing all services across the county. This sparked fears of remote and unresponsive local government, as well as a possible lack of focus on deeply rural areas such as the Yorkshire Dales.

"People power has won the battle - the government has listened to the thousands of local residents and businesspeople who expressed their fears for one authority covering more than 3000 square miles," said Councillor Arthur Barker, Leader of Hambleton District Council, who speaks on behalf of the District Councils of Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby.

"Common sense has prevailed - all the points we have made have been heard and North Yorkshire has got the best solution……the current system of seven district councils and one county council but all working together for the good of the county."

The District Councils learned yesterday (Wednesday) that North Yorkshire County Council's plans to create one authority for the county had failed to win government approval.

"One body serving an area of 3103 square miles with its extremes of urban and deeply rural communities will not have been able to cater for the diverse local needs of North Yorkshire," added Mr Barker.

"We have had our say, the local people have had their say - and we would like to thank them for their support and responses to the consultation - and the government has listened. This is the correct solution for the communities of North Yorkshire - it will foster true partnership working.

"Now we intend to work hard to create better and stronger links throughout the county for the good of the 580,000 people who live here."

The decision by communities minister Hazel Blears went down less favourably with bosses at the county council; although they are promising to work closely with the districts.

John Weighell, Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said: "We are clearly disappointed with the Government's decision, particularly since our proposal was initially rated by the Government on all of its criteria as highly likely to achieve success.

"Nevertheless, our first and only priority is to provide the best services that we can for the best possible value to the public and businesses of North Yorkshire. We shall seek to do this by working closely with our district council colleagues."