Political Composition

The council consists of the following members:

• 29 Conservative
• 10 Labour
• 2 Independent

The Council holds its District Council elections every four years when all 41 seats are up for re-election.   

Member of Parliament

The Member of Parliament for Selby & Ainsty is Nigel Adams.

Population

The 2001 Census gives the total population within the District as 76,468. The main settlement areas are Selby (approx. population 20, 870), Tadcaster (5,810) and Sherburn-in-Elmet (5.750). The remainder of the population is dispersed throughout the district in the many significant villages and remote hamlets.

Encompassing an area of just over 60,000 hectares, Selby District lies at the southern most tip of the county of North Yorkshire. Its neighbouring local authorities are York, Leeds, Doncaster and the East Riding of Yorkshire. The area is crossed by 2 major rivers, the Ouse and the Wharfe and is bounded by the Aire to the south and the Derwent to the east.

Education

Selby District contains 6 schools offering secondary education as well as a dedicated sixth form college. There are numerous primary schools throughout the district. Demand for housing has been found to increase within the catchment area of a high performing school.

Department of Education Performance League Tables have attracted some criticism for failing to truly reflect teaching skills. However, in the absence of alternative measurement guides they remain a useful tool when assessing issues that affect local communities.

Transport and Geographical Access

Selby District is greatly influenced by the presence of York on its northern boundary, Doncaster to the south and Leeds, Pontefract and Castleford to the west. As a result there are a high number of daily work trips both into and out of the District. The district is well served by major trunk roads. There is a direct train service to London as well as access to the East Coast main line at York, Leeds and Doncaster.