PARISH councils in South Craven could take on management of some services in their areas on behalf of the new North Yorkshire Council.

The county council pledged – as part of its successful local government reorganisation proposals – to provide opportunities for those town and parish councils and community groups that wish to manage services and assets for the new unitary authority, which replaces the existing two-tier system from next April.

Under a small-scale pilot scheme, which is set to be agreed next week, councils would be invited to submit plans for what they'd like to manage.

Following evaluation, up to six submissions would then be developed further in conjunction with the new North Yorkshire Council.

Councillor Greg White, the county council’s executive member for localities, says: "Town and parish councils are integral to our county’s vibrant communities – alongside community groups – and we recognise their understanding of the needs, opportunities and strengths within their areas.

"That’s why we are looking at this small-scale pilot scheme – working initially with a handful of town and parish councils, enabling us to progress cautiously, learning from the experience and developing best practice.

"This would build on the experience we already have within North Yorkshire at county, borough and district level of successfully transferring assets to community groups or to town and parish councils – with results that greatly benefit their communities."

Instances of towns and villages taking on management of local assets include the transfer of 31 libraries to community groups, which took place in 2015. The initiative was further cemented last month when the county council’s executive agreed to grant leases for another ten years to support the continued operation and development of community-run libraries, which include South Craven Community Library at Cross Hills.

Under the model, the library service provides the infrastructure – including books and public computers – as well as paid staff support.

Community libraries account for nearly 40 per cent of active library users in the county and deliver around half of book lending and supported digital access via public computers.

County council libraries manager, Chrys Mellor, says: "Residents should be proud of their communities and library service for retaining such high-class provision, delivered at a local level."

The pilot scheme for town and parish councils is being discussed by the county council's executive at a meeting on Tuesday (November 8).