CRAVEN District Council says it is concerned that people may be struggling to make their feelings known in the ongoing consultation on local government reorganisation which is due to end on April 19.

The Government is consulting on the setting up of a single, unitary authority for Craven and the whole of North Yorkshire and is asking people to comment on two possible outcomes.

The county’s six district and borough councils have joined together to propose an east and west model of unitary authorities. Craven, Harrogate, Richmondshire and Hambleton would form a council in the West, with a population of 363,000; while Selby, City of York, Ryedale and Scarborough would form a unitary council in the East, with a population of 465,000.

North Yorkshire County Council has submitted its own proposal to form one council across the whole of North Yorkshire, with a population of 618,000, leaving York as a separate, small unitary authority with 211,000 residents.

People can access the Government consultation online, but those without the internet, or wanting the necessary documents in a different format, can contact Craven District Council directly.

Councillor Richard Foster, Leader of Craven District Council,said: “We’re really keen to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to have their say in this important consultation.

“Reorganisation of councils will affect the lives of more than 800,000 people in North Yorkshire and York. The Government is about to decide how all your local services are going to be delivered in the future.

“The Government has chosen to hold the consultation at a difficult time, when our public buildings are closed and opportunities to promote the consultation are limited. In ‘normal times’ we would have been able to consult much more widely.

“Please do get in touch if you need help in responding to this consultation and are unable to do so online. We will do our very best to make sure your voice is heard.”

The Government’s online consultation is available at https://consult.communities.gov.uk/governance-reform-and-democracy/northyorkshire/

To get a paper copy of the consultation, or the consultation documents in another format, email comms@cravendc.gov.uk or write to Communications, Craven District Council, 1 Belle Vue Square, Broughton Road, Skipton, BD23 1FJ.