York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has announced that it has approved the budget for achieving mayoral priorities, whilst also confirming the region’s Deputy Mayor.
Six priorities will benefit from £2.21 million of the Mayoral Investment Fund, with these helping to improve the understanding of communities in the region, developing a new fund, and establishing how transport and housing improvements will be achieved.
The six priorities that will see investment are:
- Updating the evidence base to the Routemap to Carbon Negative, whilst carrying out stakeholder engagement
- Creating a new policy officer post to commission data and research for the development of a cost of living plan. This will be done working alongside North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council
- Creating a policy officer post to develop a Mayor’s High Street Investment Fund, with a growth development plan also being produced for every town in the region
- Working alongside City of York and North Yorkshire Councils to develop a business case to improve transport routes
- Developing a region-wide Housing Retrofit Strategy
- Developing an Innovation and Investment Plan that will help support business and skills, building on work with Innovate UK.
Director of Economy and Interim Head of Paid Service at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, James Farrar, 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.”
Alongside the approval of the funding, Mayor David Skaith confirmed that Pete Kilbane will be the new Deputy Mayor. Kilbane is currently a member of the Combined Authority, whilst also being Deputy Leader for City of York Council.
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