Vital decision-making powers outlined under a long-awaited proposed devolution deal will provide a raft of benefits for people across Ryedale's rural communities, leading figures have claimed.

Proposals for devolution have been unveiled to give a greater say for local politicians in York and North Yorkshire to improve prosperity, provide better job opportunities and boost transport links across England’s largest county.

The proposed 30-year deal would be the first in the country to focus on a vast rural region, allowing the chance to tackle deeply ingrained problems blighting countryside communities, including a lack of affordable housing, as well as establishing an investment fund with £18 million available annually.

Carolyn Frank, the FSB’s development manager for York and North Yorkshire, said: “If you’re a small rural business working in the Upper Dales or on the coast in North Yorkshire, you can feel very removed from decisions made in Westminster.

“Devolution brings an opportunity for local decision-making formed by a greater understanding of the issues facing our rural and coastal business communities. Through devolution, local policy makers can bring tailored solutions including infrastructure improvements, business support and local skills strategies, as well as budget efficiencies from a longer-term funding package, resulting overall in more effective public services and increased investment into the area.

“York and North Yorkshire has so much to offer, especially to net zero goals and national food security, and from our brilliant entrepreneurs and innovative independent businesses and our high-performing universities, and has waited a long time for a fairer deal through devolution.

“At the FSB we are excited to help unlock the potential of York and North Yorkshire in partnership with colleagues across the public and private sector, and to make sure the delivery of devolution lives up to the high expectations of the deal from our membership.”

The chairwoman of the Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network, Madge Moore, said: “We are delighted to hear about the proposed agreement and welcome this new development which will bring much needed support to North Yorkshire’s food, farming and rural businesses.

“Many rural and farming businesses are facing soaring input costs, labour shortages and supply chain difficulties. This new agreement will give the vital support that is needed, in the form of business support and skills enhancement that will help improve rural productivity.”

North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council and district and borough authorities undertook negotiations with the Government to draw up the proposed devolution deal.

Councillors will now review the proposed deal over the summer and collectively decide whether to proceed to a consultation with the public. The consultation could then take place later this year if councillors give the go-ahead at their respective executive and cabinet meetings.