David Skaith has become the first York and North Yorkshire Mayor with 66,761 votes, it has been confirmed.

Mr Skaith has run an election-winning campaign, which has been confirmed on Friday (May 3) at the Harrogate Convention Centre - beating second-placed Conservative candidate Keane Duncan.

After the declaration today, the new Mayor will now formally take office next Tuesday (May 7).

On Thursday (May 2), the electorate voted in their thousands at 668 polling stations across the region to vote for the first regional mayor.

For North Yorkshire, nearly 500 staff worked across four count locations, including Northallerton, and Harrogate, two counts in Scarborough, and one in York.

Results from the Northallerton, York and the two Scarborough counts then fed into the Harrogate count, where the final announcement was made at about 2.30pm.

As the first mayoral election, this was a highly-contested race to be elected - with other candidates Keith Tordoff (Independent), Felicity Cunliffe-Lister (Liberal Democrat), Kevin Foster (Green Party), Paul Haslam (Independent), and Keane Duncan (Conservative) sharing the remainder of the vote.

Previous elections in North Yorkshire before the Mayoral one include the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election, which took place in November 2021, and the previous North Yorkshire Council election, which took place in May 2022.

Mayoral Elections in the region:

The new Mayor will have a salary of £81,300 and will serve an initial four-year term.

In total, 191,279 votes were cast across York and North Yorkshire: that's a turnout of just 29.89 per cent.

David Skaith (Labour) has been elected as the first mayor of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority with 66,761 votes.

Full North York and North Yorkshire mayor election results:

  • Felicity Cunliffe-Lister (Liberal Democrats) - 30,867
  • Keane Duncan (The Conservative Party) 51,967
  • Kevin Foster (The Green Party) 15,188
  • Paul Haslam (Independent) 12,370
  • David Skaith (Labour) 66,761
  • Keith Tordoff (Independent) 13,250

In the meantime, here are some frequently asked questions about the Mayoral election and what happens now after David Skaith has been elected.

What difference will it make?

The York and North Yorkshire Mayor will lead investment of at least £540 million to be spent over the next 30 years. Mayors can attract more investment into the region to improve things that matter to our businesses and communities.

The York and North Yorkshire Mayor will take on the role and responsibilities of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

What is the role of the Mayor?

The Mayor chairs the Combined Authority. Mayors work alongside local leaders to create and deliver on shared, long-term visions for the region they serve.

They will serve a four-year term, at which point they can choose to stand for re-election.

What are the powers and responsibilities of the Mayor?

  • Responsible for 30-year Mayoral Investment Fund.
  • Full devolution of the Adult Education Budget.
  • Powers to improve the supply and quality of housing and secure the development of land or infrastructure.
  • Powers and funds to improve transport through a consolidated, devolved, multi-year transport settlement.
  • Responsibilities for community safety and the powers to appoint a Deputy Mayor to carry out the duties currently held by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

What budget will the Mayor have and where does the money come from?

A Mayoral Investment Fund is worth £540 million over 30 years.

From launch to March 2025, the new Combined Authority will be in receipt of more than £56m of funds to invest for the benefit of communities. An adult education budget will also be devolved to York and North Yorkshire.

From May 2024, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s functions will join the Combined Authority, which includes funding from the existing precept within council tax.