Just like here in York and North Yorkshire, the region would stand to gain significant further investment by introducing an overnight visitor levy to help mitigate the additional costs that large numbers of tourists bring to an area. Many readers will have seen the announcement in recent weeks that further powers, funding and responsibilities are heading to mayors across the country. York and North Yorkshire are set to receive even more of those powers, as we have been granted Established Mayoral Strategic Authority status. This is having a real impact on our county's economy, and it is something we must address with additional funding. These changes will help us attract the investment this county has missed out on for so long, bringing well-paid jobs and opportunities to learn that have too often not been readily available across too much of York and North Yorkshire.