Yorkshire & Humber councils row over assembly powers

The Yorkshire & Humber Assembly will meet next week to discuss plans to take charge of housing policy for the region – but it faces opposition from authorities that want more control.

Pressure from councils has already led to a review into the powers of the assembly, which has previously indicated that it is “happy” with plans to merge regional housing and planning boards. The plans would make the assembly responsible for the regional housing strategy.

The review comes after East Riding council left the assembly earlier in the year. Other authorities are threatening to do the same unless they get more say in planning issues.

It also follows the “no” vote earlier this month to government proposals to give the North-east an elected assembly (HT 12 November, page 11).

The withdrawal of councils from the unelected Yorkshire & Humber assembly would further undermine the government’s claim that its plan to make assemblies responsible for regional housing strategies would result in greater local democratic accountability.

Harrogate council is one of the local authorities considering leaving the assembly.

Council leader Mike Gardner, said: “We have indicated that we could pull out. Where we are now is in discussions with the other district councils.

“Yorkshire & Humber [assembly] doesn’t really mean anything to anybody other than a few politicians. Regional planning really needs to start at a sub-regional level.”

Chris Martin, director of planning and transport at the assembly, said: “It is clear a number of local authorities have raised questions about how we do our business but, perhaps more importantly, about how we are funded and whether or not we are meeting local objectives. There is a review under way.

“It is up to individual authorities to take their view [but] clearly the view we have is that the strength of the assembly is working collectively. I would hope that local authorities as the other partners would continue to see the value in that.”

The assembly is set to meet on 25 November to discuss its response to the merger of the housing and planning boards.

The merger is part of the ODPM’s response to economist Kate Barker’s review of housing supply.