Read on to learn all about the new mayor for York & North Yorkshire, including the powers they will have, who the candidates are and how and when to vote.
✅ Voting for York & North Yorkshire’s first elected mayor takes place on 2 May 2024
✅ There are six candidates to choose from – see below for more details
✅ The new mayor will be responsible for spending £18m a year
✅ The new mayor will have powers over public transport, housing, policing and fire services and adult education
The new Mayor will have real power and control of a very significant budget, with responsibility for a 30-year Mayoral Investment Fund worth £540 million – the first £56 million of which will become available in the first year.
They will have certain responsibilities and powers devolved to them by central government including:
They will work with local leaders to bring more money into our region and invest in things that matter. They must be a strong voice and a champion for York and North Yorkshire, representing businesses and communities.
Here is a list of the candidates and a summary of what they plan to do if they get elected as mayor.
We wanted to know what they will do for families in York & North Yorkshire. We emailed them all a link to this article and asked them for a statement. See below for their quotes to help you make your choice when you vote.
Cunliffe-Lister, Felicity Clare – Liberal Democrats
Here’s what Felicity told us:
“I have lived in the Yorkshire Dales for 24 years and for the whole of that time I have run my own business. My children are now 16, 19 and 21, so they have grown up with a working Mum and I have full experience of all the challenges that that brings. My parents were teachers, and I was on the committee for our town’s pre-school group and a governor of our primary school – and I helped bring the school out of special measures to achieve excellent at Ofsted.
As Mayor :
1. I will improve the opportunities for pupils as they leave school.
2. I will improve the transport system to give older children more independence and to enable families access to essential services.
3. With the very limited access to NHS dentists, I will roll out a daily toothbrushing scheme within primary schools across the region.
4. For ALL families I will deliver more affordable and better quality housing, providing homes for families that are better insulated with cheaper energy bills.
5. I will provide support for parents, and provide assistance and resources within schools to make early interventions and prevention for mental health challenges facing children.
6. I support the 20 is Plenty scheme, making roads safer where we live and where children go to school. I will make our footpaths and cycle routes safer, to encourage more families to walk and cycle
7. I will take the lead on supporting green energy generation, installing more EV chargers, reducing the use of fertiliser and pesticides, and making our rivers and sea clean again.
8. Whilst the free child care that is proposed for Sept ’24 & ’25 is very welcome, I have concerns about how this is going to be delivered with issues such as access to eligibility codes, staffing shortages and uncertainty due to lack of clarification about funding rates for providers. I will be able to lobby for these issues to be addressed and help find solutions”
ℹ️ Find out more about Felicity Cunliffe-Lister here.
Duncan, Keane Charles – The Conservative Party Candidate
ℹ️ Find out more about Keane Duncan here.
We’ve emailed Keane twice but unfortunately haven’t had a reply & photo from him yet. We will update this post if/when we do.
Foster, Kevin – The Green Party candidate
Here’s what Kevin told us:
“As a Green mayor I will set our region on the fast track to a sustainable Net Zero economy with good jobs, decent places to live, a reliable public transport system, and I will support the most vulnerable members of our society.
People tell me they want change from the tired old parties. Just like me, they want things done differently and better. With a win on 2nd May, I can start to do just that.”
ℹ️ Find out more about Kevin Foster here.
Haslam, Paul – Independent
“The nurturing of our precious next generation is essential. As part of my mayoral responsibilities within the local transport plan will be a focus on keeping the roads outside schools safe – by pushing for a default 20 mph speed limit, or time-specific speed limits during school drop-off and pick-up times when that’s not feasible.I will also promote the creation of safe shared road space, enabling cycling or walking to school and the availability of public transport, providing reliable, affordable alternatives that mean the car is not the default choice. Car congestion outside schools means that air quality is often poor and I will be seeking the placement of large visual monitors to raise awareness and to encourage a shift in behaviour, improving the environment around our schools.”
ℹ️ Find out more about Paul Haslam here.
Skaith, David – Labour and Co-operative Party
Here’s what David told us:
“We finally have the opportunity to vote for a Mayor for York and North Yorkshire. The role will bring in huge investment to grow our regions economy, build truly affordable homes and create an integrated transport system that allows people to move around more sustainably.
After 14 years of cuts to frontline services, we desperately need to bring powers back to a local level and create a stronger York and North Yorkshire for the future.”
ℹ️ Find out more about David Skaith here.
Tordoff, Keith Graham – Independent
Here’s what Keith told us:
“My message is clear – Westminster is in turmoil, and that must change.
North Yorkshire deserves a strong, independent champion – someone who understands the county’s needs and aspirations, with the background and experience to address them. I have a proven track record in business, the police, and communities: for which I’ve received an MBE.
If elected mayor, I’ll deliver for the people of York who’ve lost trust in the electoral system. I’ll identify problems by listening to them and deliver results driven by my passion and love for the county.”
ℹ️ Find out more about Keith Tordoff here.
If you’re not registered to vote, you must do so by midnight on 16 April.
Remember if you’re voting in a polling station you’ll need to bring photo ID to vote.
Find out more about how to register to vote and voter ID here.
