An Introduction to the Mayoral Combined Authority

What is the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA)?

A Mayoral Combined Authority is a new kind of local government body that takes over certain powers which currently belong to central government or separate local councils, led by an elected Mayor.

The York and North Yorkshire MCA will involve the newly-formed North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council, and cover every region they preside over. However, it will not replace either of these bodies.

The aim of the MCA is to provide more powers and funding to York and North Yorkshire as a whole, allowing big decisions to be devolved from Westminster.

Some devolution deals have included the transfer of powers in respect or policing, crime, and fire strategy and governance. Where powers like these do transfer, they are exercised by the Mayor rather than by the MCA.

What other MCAs currently exist?

As of May 2023, there are 10 Combined Authorities in England, 9 of which have directly elected Mayors and are MCAs. All have extensive powers over transport and economic decisions, although York and North Yorkshire will be the first MCA to also be responsible for Fire and Rescue services from the outset.

In addition, we will be the first-ever OPFCC to transfer to a Mayoral devolution model.

The first MCA, Greater Manchester, was established in 2011. Since then, the Combined Authorities across England have directly invested billions of pounds across their regions, expanding public transport, developing cultural institutions, and creating job and educational opportunities for young people.

How does this affect us?

The powers of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) to oversee the Police and Fire services in North Yorkshire will be transferred to the new Mayor once elected, along with the Commissioner’s role as the Fire Authority. The new Mayor will appoint a Deputy Mayor for Policing Fire and Crime to perform the day-to-day functions of the role currently undertaken by the PFCC, in a similar manner to the approach other MCAs have taken.

This will create opportunities to align police, fire and crime priorities with transport, housing, skills and employment and to improve outcomes for the public.

All OPFCC staff will be transferring to the new MCA once the Mayor is elected in May 2024. North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service officers and staff will also be transferring.

Although scrutiny and oversight of North Yorkshire Police will be undertaken by the new Mayor/Deputy Mayor, North Yorkshire Police officers and staff will not be transferring to the new MCA and North Yorkshire Police itself will remain a separate corporate body.

When is this due to happen?

The current timeline for the transition to the MCA is as follows:

• August 2022 – The agreement on the MCA between City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council was signed.
• Autumn 2023 – The new governance structure for the MCA will be agreed, cementing the powers and responsibilities of the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
• Early 2024 – The new Combined Authority legally comes into being.
• May 2024 – Elections to be held to choose the new Mayor who will lead the MCA, with the transition being officially completed the following day.

What if I have some questions?

If you have any further questions or concerns that aren’t addressed here, please send them in to infomca@northyorkshire.police.uk 

Last updated: 17 August 2023