Whitby Mayor calls for better communication on projects

Devolution in North Yorkshire is ‘not working as planned’, the Mayor of Whitby, Cllr Sandra Turner, has said.

Cllr Turner said that local decision-makers should be properly consulted before North Yorkshire Council (NYC) implements projects across the county.

​Speaking at a meeting this week, Cllr Turner said “things happen in Whitby that we know nothing about” and criticised NYC for a lack of information about it projects.

​The county’s borough and district councils were abolished in 2023, and North Yorkshire Council was created as part of a plan for double devolution, whereby the government hands over decision-making powers and money to regional leaders.

Additionally, parish and town councils gain additional responsibilities.

“When North Yorkshire was first looking to go unitary, one of the biggest drivers of that was that they would work closely and collaboratively with every town and parish council,” said Cllr Turner.

​“But over the last year, we’ve had things happen in Whitby that we know nothing about. We have the infamous wheel on West Cliff that we read about on Facebook. We’ve got the Sunken Gardens that have been altered and improved, which we applaud, but about which we knew nothing.”

Similar concerns have been raised recently by councillors representing coastal areas on North Yorkshire Council.

​Cllr Turner added that elected members on NYC providing updates at town council meetings was not adequate and that more should be done to involve the parish sector.

​“It’s not working the way it was suggested it would in the initial start-up,” the mayor added.

​Cllr Liz Colling, chair of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee, provided a response on behalf of North Yorkshire Council.

​Cllr Colling said that North Yorkshire Council’s pledges included undertaking statutory consultations with the parish sector, engaging with the parish sector on key issues that are likely to affect or be of particular interest to their area, and providing parish councils with “sufficient information to enable them to reach an informed view on matters upon which they’re being consulted”.

​She said: “It’s important to note however that Whitby Town Council remains a consultee among many on such matters and the ultimate decisions rest with North Yorkshire Council.

“Whitby more than pulls its weight in tourism income for this county, with two million visitors a year, and I think out of pure respect, we should be informed when something’s happening in our town.

​“It’s critical that if we are to maintain the Whitby that we all love and portray to be the golden egg of the county, then we need that information coming forward.”

​Cllr Colling said: “There are 729 parishes across North Yorkshire and they don’t all have parish councils or town councils, but there are 430 parish councils that North Yorkshire is dealing with, and I just need to put that in context of your request.”