North Yorkshire Council yesterday gave the go-ahead for a series of community partnership pilots in an effort to ensure local voices are heard.
The partnerships will aim to bring town and parish councils, public and voluntary sector partners, businesses and communities together to make sure that local issues drive decision-making by the new authority.
About 30 partnerships are set to be introduced and centred around market towns and their surrounding areas. However, they will be phased in, with an initial roll-out of five to trial the approach.
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said yesterday: ‘We have always said that the council will be centred on ensuring local communities are at the forefront of all that we do.
‘The executive’s decision today shows a clear commitment that North Yorkshire Council is being built with local at its heart and that we aim to be the most local, large council in England.
‘We are the third largest council in the country and cover the largest geographical area of any local authority nationally.
‘The backing for the community partnerships is a major step forward towards bringing together so many different partners and organisations to make sure that people have a stronger voice to tackle those issues that mean the most to them.’
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