What area would the Yorkshire Assembly cover?
It would cover Yorkshire and the Humber. How much will it cost?
It's unclear what the total cost would be. A large part would be funded by central government grants. It is possible that a small part would be funded by council tax - estimated at around 5p per week per household by the Campaign for Yorkshire.
Will this redress the big gap in funding between North and South in England?
It would be one of the main aims of the assembly. What's the proposed timetable for devolution? 12 month review of local government by the Boundary Commission (which could recommend scrapping North Yorkshire County Council) A referendum in October 2004, asking voters whether they want an elected regional assembly Depending on the result of the referendum the new assembly could be up and running by late 2005/early 2006 - but if a referendum gets a 'Yes' vote, the Assembly will be elected after the next general election.
What powers might an assembly have? The new assembly's powers would be likely to include some elements of: - Regional housing strategy
- Arts, culture, sport & tourism
- Regeneration and economic development
- Allocating European funding
- Transport
- Planning
- Public health
Where might the assembly be based?
The "shadow" assembly is currently based in Wakefield. If a referendum is held - and won - the people elected will decide where the assembly should live permanently - though it will definitely be somewhere in Yorkshire and the Humber.
What are the arguments for a Yorkshire Assembly? Those in favour of a Yorkshire assembly, such as the Campaign for Yorkshire, claim that the benefits would include: It would start to redress the wealth gap between Yorkshire and Humber and the South East (gross domestic product per head is 48% higher in London and 32% higher in the SE than in Y&H). An elected regional assembly would give greater political co-ordination to allow the region to do better in key areas like transport, planning, housing etc. More than £1 billion per year is currently spent in the region by unelected quangoes (the biggest of which is Yorkshire Forward). It is claimed that an elected assembly would bring clear democratic accountability to these.
What are the arguments against a Yorkshire Assembly? Those against a Yorkshire assembly claim that the disadvantages include: It is divisive - it sets one region against another, when they should all be working together for the good of the country as a whole. It will be costly to set up, and businesses could end up footing the bill. It is a hare-brained scheme based on hot air which, it is claimed, won't tackle the real problems.
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