North Yorkshire Council
Skipton and Ripon Area Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 21st November 2024, commencing at 3.01pm.
Officers present: Jonathan Clubb, Head of Parks and Grounds; Vicky Davies, Senior Democratic Services Officer; and David Smith, Democratic Services Officer.
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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143 |
Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Councillors Philip Barrett, Cunliffe-Lister, Myers, Noland, Solloway, Staveley and Windass.
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144 |
Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 September 2024
Considered
The minutes of the meeting of the Skipton and Ripon Area Committee held on 5 September 2024.
Resolved
(a) That the Minutes of the meeting of the Skipton and Ripon Area Committee held on 5 September 2024, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
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Declarations of Interest
Councillor Barbara Brodigan declared an interest in Item 5 on the agenda as organiser of the petition. Councillor Brodigan declared that she would speak as petition organiser but remove herself from the debate and not partake in the vote.
Councillor Andrew Williams declared a non-prejudicial interest in Item 5 on the agenda due to his membership on Ripon City Council where this issue has been discussed previously. Councillor Williams declared that he would take part in the debate and vote on the matter.
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Public Participation
A public statement was received from Mr Tom Cavell-Taylor. The statement recognised North Yorkshire Council’s financial pressures; outlined the benefits and popularity of Ripon Market; made comparisons to markets in other towns across North Yorkshire; and referred to schemes seeking to develop town and city centres across North Yorkshire.
As this statement related to Item 5 on the agenda, the Chair decided that an Officer response would be heard following the statements made at Item 5.
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147 |
Receipt of Petition titled 'Save Ripon Market'
Considered
A report advising the Committee of a petition received by North Yorkshire Council, containing over 500 signatures.
Councillor Barbara Brodigan spoke as organiser of the petition and City Councillor Paulene McHardy spoke as co-organiser. The following key points were made:
- There is cross-party support for the petition. - The petition asks that the decision to withdraw North Yorkshire Council’s market stall set-up service is delayed until a full community and economic impact assessment is carried out and a decision on Ripon City Council’s double devolution bid has been made. - Ripon market has a long history and plays a key part in the local economy. - If the service is removed, some traders have indicated that they will stop trading. - North Yorkshire Council’s aim is to promote the regeneration of city and town centres. - There were queries disputes the financial information, with a suggestion that an economic impact assessment would be useful.
In the debate, the following comments were made:
- The spare space on the marketplace should be actively promoted. - The Executive Member for Highways and Transportation should defer making a decision on this issue for 6 months, continuing the service. - Based on footfall, Thursday, which is the main market day, is the sixth busiest day of the week. This shows that the market needs improvement. - Store holders that don’t self-erect elsewhere should be consulted before a decision is made. - That the market should be in the control of Ripon City Council and therefore the devolution bid should be supported. - An economic and community impact assessment should be done if the empty spaces on the market cannot be filled. - That the Area Committee should have the chance to provide its views on the assessments if they take place.
A motion was proposed and seconded, and a vote took place. It was:-
Resolved
That the Area Committee recommends
a) That the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation defer making a decision on this issue for 6 months, continuing the service.
b) That North Yorkshire Council actively and aggressively markets the space that exists on Ripon Marketplace for use on market days.
c) That if this change in policy is still being considered following the active and aggressive marketing of the space, an economic and community impact assessment is carried out to assess the vitality of the market. This should only be carried out if the change in policy is still being considered. The Area Committee should be consulted on the assessment in June before a decision is brought before the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation.
d) That North Yorkshire Council engages in detailed discussions with stall holders that don’t self-erect elsewhere, discussing alternative approaches if North Yorkshire Council does withdraw the erection of the stalls.
The Area Committee also endorsed the double devolution deal for Ripon City Council, which includes Ripon Marketplace.
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Committee Work Programme
Considered
A report by David Smith, Democratic Services Officer, inviting Members to consider, amend and add to the Committee’s work programme.
Members made the following amendments to the work programme:
· A regular written update on the economic environment of the Skipton and Ripon area to be circulated to Members a fortnight before every meeting.
Resolved
a) That the above amendments be made to the work programme.
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Any Other Items
There were none.
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150 |
Date of Next Meeting
Thursday, 12 December 2024 at 10.00am.
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The meeting concluded at 4.07 pm.