David Skaith, York and North Yorkshire’s first ever mayor, has said there remains “a lot to do” as he marks two years in office. Dylan Connell reports.
“It’s been a long two years, I won’t lie – and it has gone incredibly quick,” says David Skaith.
The past years have seen Mr Skaith go from running his clothing company, Winston's of York, to becoming the county’s first ever mayor in charge of its combined authority – worth up to £750 million in government funding over 30 years.
Last year, the combined authority supported more than 370 projects across York and North Yorkshire and invested £39 million, which it said helped empower communities and drive growth across the area.
“We’ve done a lot, but we’ve got a lot to do,” Mr Skaith says.
The mayoral role – in no way related to the ceremonial role of York’s Lord Mayor – comes with responsibilities overseeing a huge budget, but, given how new it is in North Yorkshire, do people know what the role involves – and what the combined authority is?
“We’re always doing as much as we can in terms of shouting about what we’re doing,” Mr Skaith says. “We’re trying to engage with the public as much as possible.”
But he admits: “In a big, sparse area like ours, it is sometimes difficult to get that message out, which is why it’s really important we work with our local organisations.”
Mr Skaith being voted mayor marked his first role as a politician. He previously chaired the York High Street forum and was secretary of Indie York, having run his clothing store in Back Swinegate from 2015 and managed the North Face and Timberland stores in Petergate for several years.
He says his transition from businessman to politician has been “a great one, I think”. “I came into the job born out of real frustration and anger at where I’d seen the country and the Conservatives go for the last 10/15 years.
“The opportunity to really do something about that was something that I’ve wanted to be able to do.”
Mr Skaith, 40, who was raised in Harrogate and moved to York as a student, says it has been “amazing” to showcase “the ambition” of the county. “And really highlight that to government – that we’re not a place that can be ignored anymore.”
The issues of transport and housing continue to be the most pressing for the mayor.
Mr Skaith has announced plans to build 60,000 new homes across North Yorkshire, 40 per cent of which will be affordable.
“We hear it all the time” that people are being priced out of York and areas of North Yorkshire, he says, and adds that he wants to address this to avoid people training in the county then taking their skills elsewhere.
“We’ve not been building anywhere near enough homes in North Yorkshire – particularly of affordable and social homes as well, which I’ve got an emphasis on,” he says. “All the brownfield funding I’ve released since I’ve been mayor has only gone into affordable and social housing.”
“A challenge we face particularly in our patch is that lack of affordable homes,” he adds. “A lot of the time the actual land itself to build the homes is very expensive.”
In terms of transport, Mr Skaith is exploring a franchise model for public transport – something that has been hailed a success in places such as Manchester.
The combined authority will trial a rural bus franchise, backed by £564,000 government cash boost.
Buses under the scheme will run from York to Selby, as well as in Scarborough’s coastal communities, the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, and Richmond and Northallerton.
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Mr Skaith says the current bus service is “not supporting the people of York and North Yorkshire”, and other options, such as public ownership, must be explored.
“It [the bus service] hasn’t been working for a very long period of time,” he says, adding: “It’s not fair that an area like ours doesn’t get the same emphasis on it as other areas have done … We hope to be in a really good position quite soon to be able to really realise what [a franchise model] would look like for our area.”
Mr Skaith says work is continuing to improve rail services, pointing to the announcement of more train services between York and Scarborough from 2028, but insists there is more to come. “It’s making sure that our transport not long works in York and North Yorkshire, but also outside of our boarders as well.”
'Manchesterism' - could it happen here?
Meanwhile, Mr Skaith remains optimistic about the benefits that will come with devolution.
Devolution has already brought significant benefits to Greater Manchester, with its mayor, Andy Burnham, saying the “Manchesterism” effect has built better politics and a stronger economy.
“There’s loads of learnings from places like Greater Manchester,” Mr Skaith says. “But also, as we always say, we’re the first rural and coastal combined authority … Devolution has never been delivered in a place like ours.”
“That’s the beauty and the power of devolution,” he adds. “It’s not a one size fits all, it’s what works for your area. So, we’re always taking learnings. But we’re looking to work and see how they can work in an area like ours.”
The approach has also seen Mr Skaith work closely with City of York Council and North Yorkshire.
How does he feel about Keane Duncan, his Conservative rival for the mayoral role, challenging the leadership of North Yorkshire Council, meaning they could be working together if Mr Duncan succeeds?
“I will work with anyone who wants to do right for York and North Yorkshire,” Mr Skaith says. “If they can put the politics to one side and work with us, then I’m happy to work with anyone.
“That’s what I’ve done for the past two years – we’ve had a really strong working relationship with both York and North Yorkshire councils, and we are here to deliver what’s right for the region.
“Because everyone and everywhere matters. If whoever is the leader of North Yorkshire [council] can have that same mindset, then I’ll work with anyone.”
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