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Independence of City of York Council

P002658 - 15 April 2021

Presentations: 1
Presenters: 1
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At a Glance

This petition concerning independence of city of york council was presented to Parliament once by 1 MP.

Issue Summary

The petitioners are concerned about the proposed local government reorganisation in North Yorkshire, which could merge the City of York Council into a larger authority spanning 65 miles north to south. They believe this would harm the city’s economy, increase council tax, reduce service quality, and disrupt historical identity.

Action Requested

The House of Commons is urged to listen to the concerns of York residents and businesses regarding local government reorganisation, and to work collaboratively with all local politicians on decisions affecting York's council.

Key Facts

  • 3,261 petition signatories
  • Potential £117 per year increase in council tax if merged into a larger authority
  • Historical identity of the City of York Council for 800 years
  • Possible scrapping of the Lord Mayor’s role and disruption to key service delivery costing millions of pounds

Presentation Timeline

MPs presented this petition on the following dates. Each card shows the presenters and any recorded remarks.

Presented
15 April 2021
Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op)
York Central
In connection with this petition, I must mention that four of my employees are currently City of York councillors. I rise to present a petition on behalf of the 3,261 residents and businesses of York who are committed to local government reorganisation maintaining the integrity of the City of York Council unitary authority boundaries while North Yorkshire County Council moves from a two-tier to a one-tier authority as part of local government reorganisation proposed for North Yorkshire. It is our very firm belief that the future of York’s economy is best served through the focus that the city provides, that services best meet local need when they are provided locally, and that the proud identity of local people will best be retained in our special city of York after 800 years of a clear and distinct identity of York being York. This strong core to North Yorkshire will best meet the needs of the rest of North Yorkshire, too, rather than some random east-west proposal that serves no one’s interests. The petition states:
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