Parish and town councils across Yorkshire are to be asked for their views on a charter that will help define how they work with the new North Yorkshire Council.
All 731 parishes across England’s largest county will be invited to take part in a 12-week consultation on a new parish charter, which has been drawn up with the help of a working group that includes representatives from parishes.
Pledges from North Yorkshire Council in the draft include working with parishes to promote and protect social, economic and environmental wellbeing for the benefit of communities, engaging on issues that are likely to affect or be of particular interest to an area, consulting on planning, licensing and highways matters, and supporting parishes to maintain their own local services and assets if they wish to, and where it is practicable.
Executive member for stronger communities, Cllr Greg White, said: ‘Recognising the distinctive local needs of parish and town councils was key from the outset in establishing the vision of North Yorkshire Council. This charter is a stage in that process, and an extremely important one.
‘It presents a framework for a partnership that will grow as North Yorkshire Council develops and transforms over time. I urge all parish councils to take this opportunity and make their voices heard in the consultation.’
