Meet your Mayor
David Skaith
David Skaith was elected on Friday 3 May 2024 to serve as the first ever Mayor of York and North Yorkshire to champion the region and bring a host of benefits to hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses. David grew up in Harrogate and now lives outside of York, where he runs his small business. He has a real love for the region and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by residents. As Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith has devolved powers and responsibilities including strategic transport, housing, economy, adult skills, and community safety.
Mayor’s Vision
The Mayor’s Vision is to enable healthy and thriving communities.
“I want to develop healthy and resilient communities, that are connected to opportunity, where people live in warm and affordable homes, where people are connected to the outdoors and where there are safe places for all.”
He has also stated his ambition for York and North Yorkshire to become the first Carbon Negative region by 2040.
What is the role of Mayor?
When they are elected in May 2024, the Combined Authority will be led by the York and North Yorkshire Mayor. The York and North Yorkshire Mayor chairs the Combined Authority Board.
The role of the mayor is to work alongside local leaders to create a long-term vision, secure more investment into the region. The mayor is not a serving councillor and will not replace the leaders of existing councils. Once elected, the York and North Yorkshire Mayor will serve a 4-year term, at which point they can choose to stand for re-election.
What are the powers and responsibilities of the York and North Yorkshire Mayor?
The Mayor will have certain powers and responsibilities, devolved to them by central government.
The full range of powers and responsibilities can be reviewed in the Combined Authority Constitution.
In summary these include:
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- Responsibility for 30-year Mayoral Investment Fund and the powers to borrow against funds
- Full devolution of the Adult Education Budget
- Powers to improve the supply and quality of housing and secure the development of land or infrastructure
- Powers and funds to improve transport through a consolidated, devolved, multi-year transport settlement
- Responsibilities for community safety and the powers to appoint a Deputy Mayor who will carry out many of the duties currently held by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner
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