Combined Authority members
The Combined Authority members are listed on this page.
Following elections on 2 May 2024, the Combined Authority will be led by the elected mayor.
Councillor Claire Douglas
Claire is the leader of City of York Council and the leader of the Labour Group. She has represented the Heworth ward since she was elected in 2019.
Before being elected Claire worked in a range of roles starting as a science teacher before working in IT for a period in the US. She then carried her interest in IT into running her own business for 16 years in York.
Claire also has significant experience in the charity sector having founded local children’s charity Big Futures Foundation, of which she remains the Chair of Trustees. She is also Chair of Trustees of Tang Hall Community Centre, located in the ward she represents. The centre is a vibrant, active hub in the community with hosts various organisations, activities and events, promoting healthy eating and bringing the local community together for friendship, support, learning and leisure.
Councillor Peter Kilbane
Cllr Pete Kilbane came to York to study politics in 1986 and never really left – both the city and the subject. After graduating he spent 10 years at Nestle Rowntree and became active in the trade union movement. He went on to be a full time official for the GMB Union and a TUC adult education tutor. When his children arrived he opted for self-employment running a consultancy and managing a charity. Most recently he has helped set up a couple of well-known and successful hospitality venues in the city. He became a Councillor for the Micklegate ward in 2019 and is currently Deputy Leader of the City of York Council with responsibility for Economy and Transport.
Councillor Carl Les OBE
For more than 20 years, Carl Les has been a councillor and he has been the leader of the authority since May 2015. He was the council’s deputy leader prior to his election to the role as leader, and represents the Catterick Village and Brompton-on-Swale division.
Carl has a background in business running a service station on the A1(M) before selling the enterprise and retiring in 2014. Alongside his council activities, he is a school governor at both a primary and secondary school and chair of the trustee board for Citizens’ Advice in North Yorkshire.
Councillor Gareth Dadd
Gareth is the deputy leader and executive member for finance and resources. He represents the Thirsk division and was elected in 2005.
With a vast amount of experience in the small business sector, Gareth has played a key role in helping advise entrepreneurs in North Yorkshire. A former butcher and greengrocer, he took early retirement when he sold his business in 2017. Passionate about the equality of opportunity agenda, he has devoted much of his spare time to helping local charities.
Read the current frequently asked questions about the Combined Authority.