SKIPTON'S MP and the first Mayor of North Yorkshire discussed a wide range of subjects from housing to public toilets when they held a meeting at County Hall, Northallerton.

Conservative, Sir Julian Smith was re-elected to the Skipton and Ripon seat at July's general election, while Labour's David Skaith became the first York and North Yorkshire Mayor at the mayoral election in May.

Sir Julian said: "Given the mayor’s significant power and influence following devolution it is important that Mr Skaith is aware of the challenges people in our constituency face and the opportunities which devolution offers to address those challenges.

"We had a wide-ranging discussion from housing and more funds for public toilets in the most rural areas to the growth plan for North Yorkshire and York. Throughout the meeting I pressed the case to ensure our constituency is carefully considered, and its rural nature is taken into account when decisions are being made for the area as a whole.”

After local government reorganisation, a 30-year devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire, including an investment fund of more than £500 million, was announced in August 2022. This resulted in the establishment of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority on February 1 2024.

The mayor is the leader of the combined authority; its role is to work with local leaders to develop a long-term vision and attract more investment to the region.