PARISH and town councils are to have their say on a charter that will define how parishes and the new North Yorkshire Council work together.

All 731 parishes across England’s largest county will be invited to take part in a 12-week consultation on a new parish charter ahead of the launch of the unitary North Yorkshire Council on April 1.

Executive members endorsed the draft charter and gave the go-ahead for the consultation at a meeting on January 10.

The consultation will begin on January 18 and end on April 12 - the county council has said it will write to every parish and town council to invite them to respond.

NYCC leader, Cllr Carl Les, who will lead North Yorkshire Council, said: “It is vital for the new council and parishes in every part of the county to have a strong relationship and understanding to enable parishes to have confidence in carrying out their crucial role as a voice for their communities.”

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Pledges from North Yorkshire Council in the draft include working with parishes to promote and protect social, economic and environmental wellbeing, engaging on issues of interest to an area, consulting on planning, licensing and highways matters, and supporting parishes to maintain their own local services and assets if they wish to, and where it is practicable.

Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the charter could be adopted in summer.