A budget of £2.21 million for mayoral priorities has been approved by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The Combined Authority has allocated Mayoral Investment Fund money towards six areas of work. This includes development of a Mayor’s High Street Investment Fund; transport, housing, innovation and economic growth plans and strategies for the region and updating carbon reduction activity.
Funding approval was granted at a meeting of the Combined Authority on Friday (31). At the same meeting, Mayor David Skaith confirmed Pete Kilbane as Deputy Mayor. Pete Kilbane is the Deputy Leader for City of York Council and a member of the Combined Authority.
A breakdown of funds approved:
- Routemap to Carbon Negative. Update the evidence base to this existing report and carry out further stakeholder engagement. £100,000 in 2024/25.
- Cost of living plan. A policy officer post will be created to scope and commission initial data and research, working alongside City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council, to develop a cost of living plan. £260,000 from 2024/25 – 2027/28.
- Town plans and business support. A policy officer post will be created to scope and develop a Mayor’s High Street Investment Fund. Work will also be carried out to produce a growth development plan for every town in the region. £1,550,000 from 2024/25 – 2025/26.
- Transport. Working with City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council to scope and develop a business case for movement studies, including separate studies for York and York to Scarborough and York to Harrogate routes. £200,000 in 2024/25.
- Housing. Development of a region wide Housing Retrofit Strategy, working with City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council. £50,000 in 2024/25.
- Business and skills. Develop an Innovation and Investment Plan. This builds on work with Innovate UK with the ambition to publish a joint York and North Yorkshire Innovation Action Plan. £50,000 in 2024/25.
James Farrar, Interim Head of Paid Service and Director of Economy at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: “This £2.21 million of investment has been allocated to deliver the Mayor’s key priorities for the region.
“It’s an initial investment which enables the Combined Authority to develop strategies, plans and investment opportunities, helping to achieve economic growth, address the cost of living and transition to being a carbon negative region.”
