Meeting documents

The Leader provided updates on the Leisure Village and the Sands Development.  In respect of the Leisure Village, he reported significant progress in recent months.  He reminded Members that the overarching principle behind the development was that the developer would sell the Council’s enabling sites, at Filey Road (current Sports Centre), Seamer Road (former McCain Stadium) and residual land at Weaponness (former Park & Ride car park), and the monies generated would be used to fund the costs associated with the design and construction of the Leisure Village with the exception of the swimming pool which would be separately funded directly by the Borough Council.  In December 2014 the Council concluded the conditional sale of part of the former McCain Stadium.  The purchaser would be making a presentation to members of the Planning and Development Committee on 22 January.   The Council had also either signed head of terms or was in advanced negotiations with other parties regarding the sales of the remaining enabling sites and further announcements were expected in due course.  Further site investigations at the Leisure Village site had now been completed and the design work had progressed quickly with a view to the submission of a planning application for the Leisure Village at the end of February.  Prior to this there would be extensive pre-application public consultation with a public exhibition of the detailed designs planned for the first week in February when further details of the scheme would be available to everybody.  Details of this consultation would be circulated widely.  In response to Members’ questions, the Leader commented that he expected Scarborough Athletic to be playing football at the new stadium for the 2016/17 season.  In respect of the Sands, as a result of the due diligence undertaken in relation to the proposed construction of the waterpark, the appropriate agreements had been completed and construction of the waterpark would commence on 15 January 2015 with a view to the attraction opening at Easter 2016.  In the meantime, work continued with Benchmark to develop their proposals for the remainder of the phases within the development.

Councillor Ward then put a question to the Leader, expressing surprise at how long the due process had taken in respect to the allegations made against former Councillor Jaconelli, but asking if the Council welcomed the latest statement by North Yorkshire Police, and asking the Council to put on record its thanks to ex Councillor Geoff Evans, the Scarborough News, the BBC Inside Out programme, Real Whitby and the North Yorkshire Enquirer for their actions, reporting and persistence, and to call on anyone who had any information as to how these crimes remained unpunished for so long to come forward.  In response, the Leader confirmed that the Council did indeed welcome the latest report of the North Yorkshire Police of their investigation in to the allegations against Jaconelli which was carried out with the full support and cooperation of the Council.  He reminded Members of the steps taken by this Council when they were copied into allegations made by the then Councillor Geoff Evans and former resident, Mr Harrington and indeed before their revelations, by those of another person who did not seek public identification: without hesitation these matters were referred to North Yorkshire Police by himself and the Director of Democratic and Legal Services for investigation.  The Leader had reported to the meeting of Full Council on the 28th February 2014 that on 24th February 2014 he had received the latest updated communication from North Yorkshire Police confirming that they had reached a point in their investigation which had considered most carefully and diligently the reported matters to date pertaining to historical serious sexual offending by Peter Jaconelli, perpetrated over many years.  In their considerations the Police stated that the credibility of that evidence and of the victims was such, that if Peter Jaconelli were alive today he would be arrested and dealt with in accordance with those allegations.  When the Council received this information because of time constraints, it was not possible to place before that Council meeting a motion in accordance with Standing Orders.  However, Members agreed that this matter was of such seriousness and importance, it must not be delayed to the May 2014 meeting of Council, not just for the Council and the wider community, but most critically, for those aggrieved, hurt and injured as a consequence of his offending, including those closest to the victims and whose lives were affected by what had happened.  Accordingly, Members agreed a suspension of Standing Orders so that after learning of certain actions that had taken place in recent months pertaining to serious criminal allegations made in respect of former councillor, Mayor and Alderman of this Borough, Peter Jaconelli, the Council was able to agree a resolution which was now a matter of public record.  In that resolution the Council publicly praised the courage of the victims who had reported these heinous crimes, and recognised that some victims were still to come forward and that they too would have the Council’s empathy and support.  The Leader reiterated that the Council still encouraged any person who had knowledge of any alleged crime to bring this to the attention of the North Yorkshire Police for appropriate investigation, in the same way that the Council continued to praise the courage of the victims who had come and would come forward.  The Leader stated his belief that victims of Jaconelli's crimes had come forward because of a belief, strength and a resolution they have found within themselves.  Some had found that strength through the support of others, both people close to them and through people or organisations elsewhere. He praised this support when it was selfless and without condition.  Wherever and however they had found that strength then he was pleased to recognise and praise the greatness of their courage and resolution to expose the truth, even where it brought pain and hurt.  To anyone who had information on offending, whether victim or not, he urged them to find the courage to come forward, since silence could never be the solution.