A new Tory-controlled super-council, which came into force at the weekend and combines eight previous local authorities, has announced an immediate clampdown on private landlords.

North Yorkshire Council is a new unitary authority made up from eight previous smaller bodies. There are 90 councillors of which 46 are Conservative, 13 are Liberal Democrat, 12 are Labour, nine are North Yorkshire Independent, five are Green, four are independent and one is a member of the Liberal Party.

It came into existence formally on Saturday and in its first official statement yesterday morning it said it had received £1.4m in taxpayers money from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Using what it calls a “streamlined approach” the funding will be used to increase enforcement activity against private landlords via the recruitment of more staff. There will also be a new – and so far unknown – enforcement policy.

The statement says: “The recruitment process for the new posts for housing enforcement officers is now under way. The new recruits will be stationed across the county within the next couple of months to provide a co-ordinated approach to tackling housing issues.”

Housing spokesperson Councillor Simon Myers says: “This successful bid [for the funding] shows how the new council is focused on delivering a united housing service for all of North Yorkshire. Being able to recruit and train new and current staff is just one way in which this funding will support the housing service. Improving and increasing enforcement activity through inspections and joint working with partners will allow us to work together to ensure that residents in North Yorkshire are safe.”

The reorganisation of the councils is part of what is described as “a 30-year devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire, with an investment fund of £540m” and will involve a new directly elected Mayor.