Pete Egerton

10:00am - 1:00pm

Email the studio

Nik Kershaw

Wouldn't It Be Good

Listen Live

Mayoral election to cost more than £2 million

Wednesday, 17 January 2024 23:00

The election to choose the first ever mayor of York and North Yorkshire is set to cost taxpayers £2.2m, according to a report.

Mayoral election to cost more than £2 million The election to choose the first ever mayor of York and North Yorkshire is set to cost taxpayers £2.2m, according to a report. Voters across the region will go to the polls on May 2 to choose who will lead a new combined authority, with the mayor also taking over the powers of current Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe. Officers at North Yorkshire Council have drawn up a report that details the new mayor’s budget in their first year, which confirms they will receive £18m from the government’s mayoral investment fund. This is the sum the mayor is set to receive every year to invest into local priorities such as transport infrastructure or housing schemes. The budget for 2024/25 is spread across 15 months to help prepare for the formation of the new authority and £6m has already been allocated towards staff and election costs as well as other overheads. Over the course of the whole year, a budget of £4.5m will be spent on staff salaries. City of York and North Yorkshire councillors who sit on a committee that is overseeing the creation of the combined authority are set to approve the budget at a meeting on Monday. Details of the budget are available to read here. Who is standing to be mayor? Pateley Bridge man and former police officer Keith Tordoff will stand as an independent after previously announcing he would run for the Yorkshire Party. The Green Party has chosen former soldier Kevin Foster as its candidate. The Conservative Party has picked Malton councillor and journalist Keane Duncan, who is currently in charge of transport on North Yorkshire Council. Labour has chosen local business owner and chair of the York High Street Forum David Skaith. The Liberal Democrats has not yet decided who its candidate will be. By Thomas Barrett, Local Democracy Reporter Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

More from Local News

Harrogate food hall launches unique pickle-filled Christmas hamper

Harrogate food hall Weetons has launched a Christmas hamper dedicated to pickle lovers.
North Yorkshire councillors could receive 2.6 per cent allowance rise

North Yorkshire councillors could see their annual basic allowance rise to £18,431 under proposals due to go before the council.
Plans for new multi-billion pound approach to care services

Care services across North Yorkshire could be transformed under new proposals worth an estimated £3.5 billion over seven years.
Allerton Castle Christmas experience set to return

Father Christmas and Tinsel the Elf are returning to Allerton Castle this December for four days of festive adventures.
Ryanair announce new flights from Leeds Bradford Airport

Ryanair has announced four new routes from Leeds Bradford Airport for summer 2027.
Starbeck Badger of the Year shares lifesaving skills with classmates

A 10-year-old St John Ambulance Badger has helped teach 30 classmates lifesaving first aid skills at a Knaresborough primary school.
Leeds Bradford Airport strikes suspended as fresh pay talks planned

Planned strikes at Leeds Bradford Airport have been suspended to allow fresh negotiations over pay.
Irving Weaver appointed Life President of Harrogate Town AFC

Former Harrogate Town AFC chairman and owner, Irving Weaver, has been appointed Life President of the club in recognition of his 15 years of service.
Farm near Ripon scoops national farming award

A family farm near Ripon has been named Regenerative Farmer of the Year at the British Farming Awards.
WATCH: Magical woodland trail to support Masham primary school

A magical autumn trail has launched at Swinton Bivouac to raise money for Masham CE Primary School.
Fountains Abbey prepares to host two-day Christmas market

A two-day Christmas artisan market is returning to Fountains Abbey next month.
New society aims to revive Harrogate's spa heritage

A new organisation has launched with an ambition to revive Harrogate’s spa heritage and shape its future as “Britain’s Living Spa”.
Inherited jewellery: where do you start?

A jewellery box left behind by a parent or grandparent can be one of the hardest things to deal with after a loss.
Man found dead at property on Franklin Road in Harrogate

A man in his 50s has been found dead at a property on Franklin Road in Harrogate.
Killinghall Village Hall goes greener with £27,000 improvement project

Killinghall Village Hall has completed a £27,000 project to reduce its energy use and running costs.
Driver caught at 131mph ordered to pay over £1,500 at Harrogate court

A motorist caught driving at 131mph on a North Yorkshire dual carriageway has been ordered to pay £1,551 at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court.
Knaresborough toilets upgraded after recent vandalism

New doors have been installed at public toilets in Knaresborough following a recent spate of vandalism across the town.
Knaresborough Scarecrow Trail to return this half term

Families are being invited to find 18 scarecrows around Knaresborough during the October half-term holiday.
Yorkshire residents invited to apply for BBC's The Traitors

Yorkshire residents who think they can spot a liar – or keep a secret themselves – are being invited to apply for The Traitors.
North Yorkshire recycling centres could face closure

Mini recycling centres in North Yorkshire could face closure as the council considers whether the facilities are still needed following improvements to household recycling collections.