YORK CONSERVATIVES are backing a scaled back version of Yorkshire devolution without Sheffield and South Yorkshire.

Tory councillors are putting forward a motion to next week's full council meeting, setting out support for a "Greater Yorkshire" deal that would see West, East and North Yorkshire team up while Sheffield and South Yorkshire go their own way.

York's Conservative council leader David Carr has previously been part of a "coalition of the willing" that met over the summer to back a single "One Yorkshire" deal.

However, Government ministers never backed this option instead insisting the previously agreed Sheffield-centred deal must go ahead, even though two of the councils involved - Barnsley and Doncaster - joined the "coalition of the willing" talks.

Now Conservative councillor Stuart Rawlings has said Greater Yorkshire - without Sheffield and the south - is the most viable option, and his group wants to put it forward as the solution they favour.

Cllr Rawlings said: “York has been closely involved in all of the twists and turns of the Yorkshire devolution discussions and we have always negotiated to ensure that York plays a central role in whatever outcome Yorkshire authorities eventually agree to.

He added: “We also know there are aspects of devolution politics we can’t influence, such as the new South Yorkshire deal which will be electing its own mayor next year.

“Therefore we believe that the most viable option for an 'all Yorkshire' devolution solution is one which is politically balanced, what is presently termed 'Greater Yorkshire'. This would include all three of York’s traditional ridings and place York at the geographic centre of the region."

Devolution is not just a "political game", he added, but will see central government return power to the region and could be a huge boost for York.

Cllr Rawlings said: “Making our interests clear now regarding the direction in which York wants to go will help position the council in the ongoing negotiations and ensure that York remains central to any Yorkshire devolution plan.”

Next week councillors from other political parties will vote on whether they back Cllr Rawlings' suggestion.