York and North Yorkshire becomes first rural combined authority to get 'established status'

Established status helped new Prime Minister Andy Burnham integrate Manchester’s transport network and drive growth across the region.

York and North Yorkshire has become the first rural combined authority to be granted established status, which will give mayor David Skaith more powers and flexibility over funding.

The combined authority was set up in 2024 after the region’s first mayoral election, and is made up of Mr Skaith and the two local authorities in the area.

Up until that point, all of England’s metro mayors had represented city regions, such as West and South Yorkshire.

Different areas have had different levels of powers, with London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands being the most advanced.

Of the mayors in Yorkshire and the Humber, Tracy Brabin in West Yorkshire and Oliver Coppard in South Yorkshire both have had established status, which gives them an integrated funding settlement as opposed to separate pots of money for specific projects.

Now Mr Skaith and York and North Yorkshire are set to join them.

The designation gives much greater flexibility over funding, and also the ability to request additional powers.

This comes after new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has made devolution a key part of his policy platform.

Established status helped Mr Burnham integrate buses, trams and bikes in the Bee Network, and he believes it’s key to driving the country’s sluggish economy.

Mr Skaith described gaining the designation as “a major milestone and clear evidence of the progress we’ve made as a county and a combined authority in a short space of time”.

He said: “We’ve already achieved a great deal in just over two years, supporting hundreds of projects and bringing investment into our communities.

“Now, with established status, we will have access to greater powers and funding, allowing us to go even further and faster to address some of the structural challenges holding our county back.

“This will help us fully realise the benefits of devolution and ensure decisions about our county are made by our county, for our county, and in our county by those who know it best.”

Coun Claire Douglas, leader of City of York Council said: “Working collectively, we will be able to unlock significantly more funding to drive economic growth, develop more affordable homes, and better connect the city and neighbouring places with sustainable and accessible transport.”

North Yorkshire leader Coun Carl Les added: “Our work within the combined authority has brought real benefits to our communities and businesses in North Yorkshire.

“We are working together to tackle regional inequalities and bring more equal opportunities through better job opportunities and improved skills and training as well as creating more affordable housing and dealing with the threat of climate change.

“Established status is a recognition of all the hard work that has been done and will be vital in driving economic growth to improve lives and opportunities for our residents and businesses across the county.”