Photo: Mayor David Skaith and James Farrar, chief executive at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority at the cabinet meeting.
Members of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority approved the first corporate plan, which sets out the Combined Authorities priorities for the next three years.
The Corporate Plan will help the organisation turning devolution into delivery. It sets out how the organisation will create opportunity, strengthen communities and improve lives across York and North Yorkshire over the next three years.
It marks the next stage in the Combined Authority’s development, following the award of Established Mayoral Status, shifting focus from building the organisation to delivering benefits to residents, businesses and communities.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“Having people with skin in the game, not Westminster, making the decisions about how to tackle challenges and make the most of our opportunities will make a difference for our communities.
“This Corporate Plan sets out the next step on our journey and provides a clear roadmap for how we will turn those powers into action over the next three years.
“Working with government and local partners will unlock more investment and tools, we will focus on what matters most. That’s backing our local businesses, making it more affordable for people to live here, improving how people move around our county, and creating safer communities for everyone.”
The plan provides the strategic framework for how the Combined Authority will invest devolved funding, work with partners and measure progress against its priorities over the next three years.
By 2029, the Combined Authority aims for residents to see the benefits of devolution in their daily lives with better transport connections, more affordable homes, greater access to skills and good jobs, safer communities, and continued progress towards a carbon negative future.
This will be achieved by focusing on six key priorities which are set out within the plan.
The six priorities are: accelerating and delivering inclusive economic growth, tackling climate change to deliver a sustainable future, delivering an integrated transport system that connects people to opportunity, helping communities thrive, be safe and healthy, building a high-performing organisation, and delivering best value.
The plan’s vision is for a thriving and confident York and North Yorkshire, where every community feels safe and is connected to opportunity. It includes a commitment to creating inclusive economic growth, improving public transport, supporting people into work, increasing affordable housing and helping the region achieve its ambition of becoming carbon negative by 2040.
- The Corporate Plan also highlights the impact devolution is already having across the region. It highlights successes including:
- Supported 20,000 individuals to engage in upskilling, training or qualifications
- Provided £2.4m via the Carbon Negative Challenge Fund which supports innovation which accelerates decarbonisation
- Given funding for 902 affordable homes to be built through Brownfield Housing Fund
- Allocated £4million through the Mayoral Active Travel fund to support healthier and happier communities
- Supported 52,000 referrals, supporting victims of crime, vulnerable people, offenders and community priorities
- Over 3,600 businesses supported including 583 people to start a business
The Combined Authority received Established Mayoral Status in June this year giving greater flexibility and opportunities to secure investment and deliver priorities for the region.
The organisation will continue to work closely with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council, businesses, public services, voluntary organisations and communities to ensure investment delivers the greatest possible benefit for residents and places across York and North Yorkshire.