Meeting documents

Members are reminded of the need to consider whether they have a disclosable pecuniary, prejudicial or other (personal) interest to declare in any items on this agenda.  Details of any interest must be declared at the start of the meeting or as soon as any interest becomes apparent during the meeting.  The attached form must also be completed. Any advice required should ideally be sought before the day of the meeting.

Cllr Guy Coulson, Chair, declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in item 5, Esk Valley Railway Line – May 2022 Timetable consultation, since he was the Council representative on the Esk Valley Community Rail Partnership

Cllr Guy Smith declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in item 4, Cultural Strategy for the Borough of Scarborough, as he was the Chair of the Scarborough Film Society.

Public questions of which due notice has been given and which are relevant to the business of the committee.

There were no public questions.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th June, 2021.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meetings held on 30 June, 2021 be approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To undertake pre-decision scrutiny on the Cultural Strategy for the Borough of Scarborough. Report of the Director (RB) (Reference : 21/150), attached. 

The Committee undertook pre-decision scrutiny on the Cultural Strategy for the Borough of Scarborough. (Report Reference 21/150). 

Janet Deacon, Tourism Manager, introduced the item and explained that the Council did not have a Cultural Strategy. Having a strategy would ensure the Council and its Partners had a roadmap that highlighted priority investments. Moreover, the strategy would demonstrate the Council’s commitment to culture and in so doing attract external funding. The Corporate Plan, the Visitor Economy Strategy, and the Town Master Plan all embraced the opportunities culture could bring such as economic development, wellbeing, and inclusivity.

Ms Deacon introduced the Council’s consultants at BEAM, Frances Smith and Richard King, whose roles were to ensure the Cultural Strategy was developed in line with existing and emerging strategies like those previously stated. They were commissioned by the Council’s partners, COAST. Ms Deacon continued, adding that there was currently no resource to support the delivery of the Strategy within the Council’s base budget, but that a detailed activity and resourcing plan would be developed to sit alongside the strategy which would identify any financial requirements to support delivery.

Ms Smith and Mr King provided to the Committee a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the Scarborough Borough Cultural Strategy.

Following the presentation, the Chair enquired into the timelines of the Cultural Strategy process, and whether Officers had liaised with organisations such as the Yorkshire Coast Business Improvement District (YCBID). Ms Deacon responded that they would be liaising with all partners including YCBID and highlighted that all organisations and communities had had the opportunity to comment and input into the strategy, Ms Deacon highlighted that it was important that all organisations including the YCBID were engaged so that there wasn’t any duplication of activity. Further, that in addition to the Cultural Development Officer, it was imperative that all organisations including all services within the Council looked at how further support could be given to strengthen coordination. Unlocking this would encourage economies of scale so that funding was used more efficiently across multiple organisations. In terms of this funding, Ms Deacon emphasised that bids for funding streams such as the Towns Fund greatly benefit from integrating cultural elements into the applications.

The Chair commented on the various cultures that exist within the Borough, and whether a cultural/tourist centre could be created to highlight this. Ms Deacon agreed that it was imperative that cultural organisations looked to promote each other more effectively. Having resource within the Council that could act to facilitate and co-ordinate activity would support this. Mr King added the importance of celebrating and promoting the assets the Borough already had that drew wide appeal.

A Member questioned how involved SBC have been with the YCBID. Ms Deacon explained that cooperation and support did exist and that the Tourism service were supportive and aware of the activity being delivered and did promote it, however having a Cultural Strategy which everybody could engage would strengthen marketing and communications.

Another Member requested clarity on the Cultural Development Officer’s role  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Chair will give a verbal update on this matter at the meeting.

The Chair introduced the item, stating that he had brought this item to Committee amidst concerns relating to Northern Rail’s Esk Valley timetable consultation May, 2022 proposal: namely, the recommendation for the withdrawal of through journeys from Middlesbrough to Whitby and the consequent effect this would have on up to 30,000 residents.

The Chair invited Mr Alan Williams and Mr Neil Buxton from the Esk Valley Community Rail Partnership to speak. Mr Buxton began, and stated it was his understanding that the recommendations of the consultation would have a negative impact on users of the Esk Valley Railway vis a vis transport outcomes. He emphasised that although they were co-operating closely with North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the Section 106 monies raised from York Potash retained by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) had for 6 years remained unspent. Mr Buxton elaborated that their plans for improved signalling had support from professionals, and argued that Network Rail and the County Council’s proposed plans would make the line less efficient.

Mr Williams added that it was essential to demonstrate to the Department for Transport (DfT) that they had the support of the local Council – something they had struggled to achieve with Scarborough Borough Council (SBC) and NYCC compared to other Community Rail Partnerships and their respective authorities. Moreover, contrary to SBC’s advisement that the service was adequate, it was found that the service was the worst performing in the country.

The Chair welcomed representatives from Northern Railways, Kerry Peters, Regional Director (North East), Matt Croasdale, Stakeholder Manager, and Clare Waller, Head of Service Planning.

Ms Waller provided the Committee a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the Esk Valley Railway Line. The presentation highlighted the following key points:

·         Northern Railways would not be implementing the timetable in May 2022

·         The re-cast (timetable change), is aimed to come in for 2023

·         Rail services improved with fewer trains, therefore a return to pre-Covid services were to include service splitting

·         7-8 % of customer journeys to/from the Esk Valley cross Middlesbrough, hence the splitting of services.

·         Introduction of Durham Coast semi-fast path to reduce time between changing trains

·         Desire to invest in Esk Valley

·         Total Whitby Line Journeys were Annually Pre-Covid 1,570,955 and this year 720,810

Following the presentation, Ms Peters elaborated on Northern Railways’ efforts to work with Network Rail to unlock the blockers that prevented a more efficient timetable and the timescale that would be best value for money.

The Chair inquired into why the performance was down during 2018/2019; whether the Section 106 funding could be used to update the infrastructure; and who the consultee from SBC was. Ms Peters clarified this resulted from short-term round times that were not met due to journeys conflicting with other trains on the track; that they had co-operated with Network Rail and the County Council on which options were the most affordable and efficient, from which a new timetable could be written; and that she would look into who the consultee was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the Committee’s current Work Programme (reference 21/149) and the most recent version of the Cabinet’s Forward Plan, both attached.

Cllr Paul Riley firstly verbally updated the Committee on a recent meeting the Chair and Vice-Chair had had with the YCBID Chair, Clive Rowe Evans.

The Principal Democratic Services Officer presented the Places and Futures Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s work programme (reference 21/149) for Members’ consideration, along with the most recent copy of the Cabinet’s Forward Plan.

A Member put forward a proposal that an item in relation to the progress of the Filey Flood Alleviation Scheme be scheduled for the 22 December, 2021 meeting of the Board.

Another Member raised their wish for an item on the general provision of public conveniences across the Borough.  It was agreed to schedule this matter for consideration at either the 22^nd December, 2021 or 23rd February, 2022 meeting of the Committee.

The Principal Democratic Services Officer suggested the Committee consider removing the TransPennine Express (TPE) item from the Work Programme due to a resolution being found by the involved parties. Members agreed to remove the item, and acknowledged the Committee’s role and influence in bringing about the positive outcome.