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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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 the 31^st August, 2022 and 28^th November, 2022. (Attached)

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 31^st August, 2022 and 28^th November, 2022 be approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To Consider a report of the Director (LD), (Reference 22/248). (Attached)

The Chair introduced the report and invited Cllr Jeffels, Chair of the Cost of Living Task and Finish Group, to speak. Cllr Jeffels thanked the Officers, Members, and organisations that took part in the piece of work and recounted why the group formed. He pointed out that 85% of deprivation in North Yorkshire was in Scarborough Borough and that the group intended to increase awareness of the entitlements that were accessible. The member acknowledged the work that had already been carried out by the churches, village halls, parish councils, community groups, and the council’s own Warm Fund.

Cllr Smith inquired as to whether the mental health impact of the crisis had been taken into account, Cllr Jeffels stated that increased take up of entitlements would help in alleviating some of the causes. The Chair, Cllr Riley, added that some charities had expertise in mental health and that the committee’s work will help to signpost individuals to the relevant organisation.

The Chair invited Jo Ireland, Head of Customers, communities and partnerships to offer her input on the report. The Officer updated Members on the warm space recommendation within the report stating that 45 organisations had received grants from the initial £10,000, and that an effective network of warm spaces had developed across the borough to address local needs. Moreover, that an additional £5600 had been allocated to the fund. The focus was now on addressing gaps in geographic coverage, reaching families, and weekend provision. The Officer also updated members on the fund granted to the Two Ridings Community Foundation Cost of Living Fund where 11 Scarborough based organisation had benefitted. On mental health she advised members of the council’s partnerships with Mind, Beyond Housing, and North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC).

Cllr Swiers commented on her experience of the evidence in a day session where it was revealed that growing numbers of those seeking support were from working backgrounds who were now struggling.

Cllr Maw observed that free school meals end for pupils in year three upwards whilst many parents were choosing between eating and heating it. He asked whether a recommendation should be included that would propose to the upcoming North Yorkshire Council an expansion of free school meals to all children. Cllr Jeffels offered to raise the point at the next meeting of the NYCC Children and Young People’s Committee, of which he was a member of. The Officer noted that the recommendation could be included which proposed the continuation of the work into the new authority, and that children’s free meals be raised at the Children and Young People’s Committee.

RESOLVED that

(1)  the Committee’s views be noted and the Cost of Living Task and Finish Group report be supported and endorsed; and

(2)  the Task and Finish Group report be presented to Cabinet at its meeting to be held on 17^th January, 2023, and for Cabinet to be asked to accept and formally approve the recommendations for its attention as detailed in the Cost of Living  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To Consider a report of the Director (PT) (Reference 22/256). (Attached)

The Chair introduced the report and invited Tim Burkinshaw, Ecologist, to speak. The Officer noted that although Scarborough Borough Council was coming to an end on the 31^st March, the work being done in the meantime would improve the boroughs ecological position going into the new authority. He highlighted the five main points within the report.

The Officer first reported on the progress made to meet the Environment Act 2021 which would come into effect November, 2023. One element of the act directed a new duty for a mandatory bio-diversity net-gain of at least 10%. Another element was the introduction of The Local nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) which would be the responsibility of the new authority to formulate. A new Bio-diversity Net-gain Officer had been created within the new authority to prepare the policy and mechanisms during the Local Government Reorganisation transition period.

Next, the Officer updated Members on a reduction of the in-house ecology resource until the 31^st March due to the Mr Burkinshaw’s departure from the council. He noted that experience in the Parks department remained but could not confirm if the post of Ecologist would be filled. He was confident that the Planning Department could meet the ecological statutory obligations but that ecological strategic work would halt.

The remaining three points referred to the Local Wildlife Sites Review, a Tree Planting Project, and Grassland Maintenance Trials. He noted that these projects would continue as normal without an ecologist, in particular the Local Wildlife Sites Review where the Ecology Data Centre in York would continue its work on the review from Spring. Further, that of the SINC site review, approximately a quarter of the 72 sites were surveyed and corresponding reports would be ready for the January SINC Panel meetings. Through knowing the condition of the sites a management plan could be formed which would enhance nature recovery. As the bio-diversity net gain duty came into practice funding would become available through developers who bought bio-diversity credits, and those credits would be allocated towards the wildlife sites identified for enhancement.

The Officer invited questions.

Cllr Maw questioned whether stewardship strips could be used for areas of farmland that were not in use such as land near cliff tops. The Officer replied that there was scope for farmland and agricultural land to be used in such a way but that the relevant environmental management scheme had be delayed for many years. He expanded to say that linear habitats like hedgerows, field margins, river corridors, and coastal strips were relevant to the LNRS and they would be incorporated into a spatially mapped output. Moreover, that the LNRS was more effective with more sites that were better in quality, better in connection, and bigger. He continued to say that during the Climate Emergency and Ecological Emergency it was important to improve habitats so that species had a permeable countryside to migrate into as they adjust to changes in the climate. The Chair welcomed the Officers comments, he looked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider, agree and/or amend the current Places and Futures Overview

and Scrutiny Committee’s programme of work (reference 21/255), along with

a copy of the latest published version of the Cabinet’s Forward Plan for

consideration.

The Assistant Democratic Services Officer presented the Committee’s current work programme (reference 22/255) for Members’ consideration, along with the most recent copy of the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Cllr Smith commented on the work programme item regarding Peasholm Park. He wished to know why money had been approved by cabinet for maintenance of the park rather than to a feasibility study for improvements to the park. He was concerned with how the decision was made considering his understanding that a feasibility study would take place and that a report would be seen by the committee. The Chair confirmed that the item was no longer on the work programme. He read out a statement from Paul Thompson, director for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change:

"At the recent meeting on 13 December 2022, Cabinet agreed to utilise £150k of the monies identified for the tree walk feasibility study, to undertake essential maintenance works within Peasholm Park.  This encompasses a number of small projects but the key issue relates to the boat deck which requires urgent work to the timber surface prior to next season.  Failure to deliver this project means that we will be unable to open the boat deck next year.

Officers have considered options for progressing the feasibility study for the tree walk and have had received an informal approach from a third party (entertainment concession expert) about this.  The biggest challenge relating to the tree walk is facilitating an accessible access route onto the island and engineering repairs to the slopes, steps and paths and unfortunately this would require a different expertise.  Furthermore, Officers have also raised concern that, should a feasibility study be undertaken, there is no further funding identified with the capital strategy to progress any works to actually deliver the tree walk.

Moving forwards into the new authority, it would be more appropriate to consider wider funding opportunities for the entire Park, including the island, which would include feasibility, design and delivery.  This will be a matter for the new Council to consider."

Cllr Smith acknowledged the response, he requested that communication be improved in future and recommended the  council communicate with the Chair of Friends of Peasholm Park group.

Cllr Jeffels asked if any section.106 money could be allocated to the Peasholm park area. The Democratic Services Officer replied that they would pass on the Member’s request to the relevant Officers.

RESOLVED: That Members views regarding the Peasholm Park Tree Walk Improvement Plan be referred to the relevant Officers.

Before discussing the work programme, the Chair provided to committee an update on the YCBID after a private meeting was held with the company’s chief executive.

The Chair read out a statement from Cllr Coulson:

"Both myself and Councillor Riley had a meeting with Clive Rowe-Evans after a request from him to try to find common ground with the issues we felt were there with YCDBID and also as it turned out for several issues he had with ourselves for some questions/statements he felt were worded strongly. He voiced their displeasure with the council’s vote at the extraordinary general meeting of full council, but still insisted that they proposed to continue with their plans for the future which they still feel benefit the residents and levy payers alike.

When questioned about how their board was made up and the lack of any levy payees as members Mr Rowe-Evans started it would be foolish if board members were not fully on-board with how the YCDBID ran. So they still plan to go ahead until there is a renewal ballot in the future, and would like to work with ourselves if possible.

The new Route YC is up and running and the app Route YC can be downloaded from the App Store if members wish to have a look. I personally feel it is one thing that they seem to have done well but needs promoting far better.

But thank you everyone for your input whilst we have gone backwards and forwards so many times."

The Chair then provided his statement:

The company’s disappointment with the vote at full council at the EGM; that they are intent on carrying on with their exciting plans; they don’t wish to get distracted by the governance issues which are a concern to council members, but apparently not a priority with the YCBID board. However, they are keen to stay engaged with us and do their best for their levy-payers as they see it. We did suggest they try a bit harder now that Route YC is up and running with scope to get many more of their levy-payers signed up, which will involve engaging with them.

"that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (and subject to consideration of the public interest under Paragraph 10 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act) the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act), namely information;

(a) relating to any individual;

(b) which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual; and/or

(c) relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)".

Members voted on a motion to exclude the public.

RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (and subject to consideration of the public interest under Paragraph 10 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act) the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act), namely information;

(a) relating to any individual;

(b) which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual; and/or

(c) relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

That the restricted minutes of the meeting held on 31^st August, 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. (Attached)

RESOLVED: that the private minutes of the meetings held on 31^st August, 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.