Mayor David Skaith recaps a momentous week for York and North Yorkshire…

With the general election behind us it’s been really great to fully focus again on my priorities for York and North Yorkshire, as mayor.

On Monday I was invited to speak to more than 500 members of staff at York College & University Centre, as they begin to shape their five-year strategy for 2025-30.

The students I heard speak were a great testament to the dedication of the principal, lecturers and support staff at York College.

I’m really keen to see skilled young people like this stay in our region and so I’ll be championing affordable housing and transport connections which link residents to employers and places of learning.

On Tuesday Jo Coles was sworn in as York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, at a ceremony in Northallerton. Jo publicly read out her ethical declaration, vowing to represent all communities of York and North Yorkshire. I look forward to working closely with her in keeping those communities safe.

It was also great to get over to my boyhood hometown of Harrogate, this week, for the Great Yorkshire Show, to meet people who understand that York and North Yorkshire is uniquely placed as a rural powerhouse.

I attended a meeting, hosted by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), where an engaging discussion took place to address concerns in rural areas and identify the opportunity for growth. Topics ranged from farming, profitability, food security, rural crime, housing and transport.

Following this, NFU Mutual’s Regional Director David Hall chaired a conversation on connectivity, visitor economy, diversification, and the journey to becoming net zero in rural areas.

There is a shared belief that York and North Yorkshire’s distinctiveness comes from its rural setting, and it is important that the agricultural community has a voice to present ideas and solutions on how to achieve sustained growth.

On Friday, I returned to the Great Yorkshire Show to understand what the people of York and North Yorkshire see as priorities for safety and the causes of crime, issues that are important to Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime Jo Coles and I.

After insightful discussions with the CLA and NFU Mutual the previous day on a range of issues, including thefts and fly tipping, it was great for Jo and I to meet with colleagues from North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services. We are committed to keeping our communities safe across our urban, rural and areas.

Finally, good luck to Gareth Southgate and his England team on Sunday. Have a great night wherever you’re watching.

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