Introduction
This document is produced as a supplement to the Electoral Commission candidate guide, which can be viewed on the Electoral Commission website, in order to provide some background information about the North Yorkshire Council for election candidates.
North Yorkshire Council
The new North Yorkshire Council commenced as of 1 April 2023. Prior to 1 April 2023, there was a two-tier system of local government in North Yorkshire. This meant that local government services were provided by eight councils: North Yorkshire County Council, five district councils and two borough councils. Now all local government services are provided by North Yorkshire Council.
The council is Conservative controlled and there are 90 councillors representing 89 divisions. See details of the councillors, their political representation, and their divisions.
Structure of North Yorkshire Council
The council has a leader and cabinet / executive option for its political structure and leadership. It has six overview and scrutiny committees. These are:
- care and independence and housing
- corporate and partnerships
- transport, economy, environment and enterprise
- children and families
- scrutiny of health committee
- transition - Local Government Reorganisation
In addition, the council has six area constituency committees, which take on a scrutiny-like role at a local level.
The council also has a number of other committees that have oversight of key areas of policy, strategy and budget, as follows:
- quasi-judicial committees:
- strategic planning committee
- six area constituency planning committees
- statutory licensing committee
- general licensing and registration committee
- standards and governance committee
- council committees:
- audit committee
- pension fund committee
- executive and non-executive functions:
- chief officers appointments and disciplinary committee
- others:
- health and wellbeing board
- standing advisory council on religious education
- local access forum
Copies of agendas for meetings of the council, its executive and all its committees are published on our website, together with all accompanying reports and minutes.
The meetings of the council, the executive and some other committee meetings are recorded and broadcast online.
The council constitution explains the structure and workings of North Yorkshire Council, including all the rules and procedures under which the council operates. It sets out who makes decisions and how they are made, and the rights of citizens to obtain information and to influence decisions. View our constitution.
The officer structure of the council is currently headed by a Chief Executive, together with five corporate directors and three assistant chief executives. They are:
- Stuart Carlton - Corporate Director Children and Young People's Service
- Richard Webb - Corporate Director Health and Adult Services
- Nic Harne - Corporate Director Community Development
- Karl Battersby - Corporate Director Environment
- Gary Fielding - Corporate Director Resources
- Trudy Forster - Assistant Chief Executive HR and Business Support
- Rachel Joyce - Assistant Chief Executive Local Engagement
- Barry Khan - Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services
The new council
The new North Yorkshire Council brings together all of the roles and responsibilities of the eight previous local authorities in North Yorkshire that were in place prior to 1 April 2023.
Some of the key services that it delivers are:
- collection, disposal and recycling of household waste
- planning and licensing
- housing and benefits
- heritage and countryside management
- support for schools and children's social care
- adult social care services
- public health
- environmental health
- adult education
- libraries and leisure services
- transport, roads, bridges, street lighting, street scene, parking, public rights of way
- trading standards and consumer advice
Please note: this is not an exhaustive list.
The council plan is a key source of information about North Yorkshire and the council's aims, objectives and performance. Read the council plan.
The success of the new North Yorkshire Council will be judged against the following measures and objectives, which were articulated in the 2021 submission to government regarding the creation of a new unitary council for North Yorkshire. The new council will:
- reduce duplication, bring services together and make savings
- improve effectiveness and efficiency of local government services
- have a strong local presence
- establish local area committees with a wider range of roles and responsibilities
- put in place community network arrangements for every market town and area
- adopt new ways of working with town and parish councils
Induction
The successful candidate will receive a welcome pack at the election count, which will contain full details of induction and other key information regarding the arrangements for:
- making the declaration of acceptance of office
- the official photograph
- registering your interests
Remuneration
A councillor is not a paid employee but allowances are paid in recognition of the time that councillors spend fulfilling their duties. The basic allowance for 2023 to 2024 is £15,550. Travel and subsistence is also paid.
A special responsibility allowance is paid to those councillors who are appointed to more senior roles, which typically involve chairing a committee or being a member of the executive.
Further information
If you have any queries, please contact us.