From increasing council tax to buying and selling assets, most decisions which affect taxpayers' money are made by North Yorkshire Council’s ruling executive.

This week, Cllr Carl Les, leader of the council, announced a shake-up of his executive and introduced some fresh faces to the decision-making body.

But who are they and what do they do? The Stray Ferret takes a look at the people who vote on key matters involving public money.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the council

Carl Les is the leader of North Yorkshire Council and responsible for communication and emergency planning.

Cllr Les, who also represents  Catterick Village & Brompton-on-Swale division, was first elected to the council in 1997.

Much of his responsibility is the direction of the council, which he carries out in consultation with chief executive Richard Flinton.

Cllr Les was also heavily involved in negotiations over the York and North Yorkshire devolution deal and the scrapping of the county's two tier local government system, which saw the introduction of North Yorkshire Council.

Cllr Gareth Dadd, deputy leader and executive councillor for finance.

Cllr Gareth Dadd has been a councillor in North Yorkshire since 2005 and represents the Thirsk division.

His role on the executive covers numerous areas related to finance, in particular the council’s budget and the setting of council tax.

The setting of tax rates is perhaps among his most contentious areas, but also his most important given his responsibility for taxpayers money.

Cllr Dadd’s portfolio also includes property, procurement of council services and the authority’s pension fund.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways

A former district council leader prior to the reorganisation of North Yorkshire’s two tier system in 2023, Cllr Keane Duncan was immediately appointed to the new unitary council’s executive upon its establishment.

Cllr Duncan, who is among the youngest councillors on the authority, is responsible for perhaps the most visible brief on the executive.

His role includes overseeing the county’s highways, but also transportation and parks.  

Despite his age, he has been a councillor since 2017 and represents the Norton division.

Cllr Mark Crane, executive councillor for open to business

Among the new recruits to Cllr Les’ executive, Cllr Mark Crane was appointed to his role on Wednesday after replacing Cllr Derek Bastiman.

The Conservative Brayton & Barlow councillor is responsible for areas such as planning, tourism and economic development.

Further to his brief, Cllr Crane is also responsible for the authority's relationship with the Local Enterprise Partnership infrastructure board.

Cllr Heather Phillips, executive councillor for corporate services

Another new recruit to the executive and among the three women on the 10-person committee, Cllr Heather Phillips is responsible for the authority’s corporate services.

The Scarborough councillor was brought onto the executive on Wednesday.

Her role, which was previously carried out by Cllr David Chance, includes overseeing the council service performance

But it also incldues areas such as refugees and asylum issues, locality budgets and parish council liaisons.

Cllr Philips represents the Seamer division on the authority.

Cllr Michael Harrison, executive councillor for health and adult services

The only Harrogate councillor on the executive is Cllr Michael Harrison.

Representing Saltergate, Killinghall and Hampsthwaite division, Cllr Harrison has among the most important briefs on the committee.

His role includes overseeing adult social care, which is an area of particular significance for local councils, and public health.

Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for culture, arts and housing

Craven councillor Simon Myers also holds an important role on the council's executive.

Cllr Myers is responsible for housing, which means he oversees the authority’s social housing stock and the companies responsible for building them.

However, his brief is also varied as he is tasked with overseeing the arts, such as North Yorkshire’s theatres, and libraries, museums and leisure.

Cllr Janet Sanderson, executive councillor for children and families

Thornton Dale & Wolds councillor Janet Sanderson oversees the brief for children and families.

This means Cllr Sanderson is responsible for fostering and adoption.

The role also extends to children’s social care and safeguarding and prevention.

Cllr Greg White, executive councillor for managing our environment 

Cllr Greg White is another councillor who holds a position which could be considered among the most visible on the executive.

This is because Cllr White, who represents Kirkbymoorside & Dales division, is responsible for waste collection and disposal.

His role also includes climate change, environmental health and trading standards. Other areas include licensing, bereavement services, registrars and coroner services.

Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, executive councillor for education, learning and skills

Another topical position on the council is education, which is held by Cllr Annabel Wilkinson.

The Morton-on-Swale & Appleton Wiske councillor is tasked with overseeing the council’s schools, which includes improvement to educational facilities and, in some cases, consulting on the closure of schools.

However, the position is more varied than that.

It also includes further and adult education, outdoor education, early years and apprenticeships. Cllr Wilkinson is also responsible for the council’s relationship with the Local Enterprise Partnership’s skills board.

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