The words 'combined authority' hardly set the pulses racing but there was a bit of frisson at this week's launch of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Whoever is elected mayor on May 2 will lead the combined authority and become a big beast on the local political landscape. We intend to monitor activities and hold the mayor to account on behalf of readers.

It was a big week for new housing, with final approval granted to 200 homes at the former police training centre off Yew Tree Lane in Harrogate and approval sought for 258 homes close to the A1 at Boroughbridge.

At an unusually terse Ripon City Council meeting on Monday, councillors narrowly voted to agree to increase the parish precept paid by council taxpayers to £77. This is about three times the amount charged by Knaresborough Town Council. People in Harrogate are spared this element to their final council tax bills because there isn't a town council — yet. The debate over whether to form one rages on.

The potential merger of three Ripon GPs surgeries is being discussed at an open day today.

In Knaresborough, police warned of a spate of shop burglaries.

Finally, it's been a week of glorious sunrises and sunsets, which I discovered is due to a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering. Ellie Poole kindly sent us this one of a sunset in Bilton, which seems a good way to end. Enjoy the weekend.

Read more:

• York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority launched today


• Major investment in Ripon sees retail and hospitality refurbishments


• Knaresborough health food shop under new ownership