Full Council
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 21 May 2025 commencing at 10.30 am.
Councillor Roberta Swiers in the Chair plus Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Karl Arthur, Alyson Baker, Philip Barrett, Philip Broadbank, Eric Broadbent, Barbara Brodigan, Andy Brown, Nick Brown, Lindsay Burr MBE, David Chance, Liz Colling, Mark Crane, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Gareth Dadd, Melanie Davis, Caroline Dickinson, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Stephanie Duckett, Keane Duncan, Kevin Foster, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Paul Haslam, Robert Heseltine, David Hugill, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Mike Jordan, Nigel Knapton, Andrew Lee, Carl Les, Cliff Lunn, John Mann, Steve Mason, Rich Maw, John McCartney, Heather Moorhouse, Andrew Murday, Simon Myers, David Noland, Bob Packham, Andy Paraskos, Stuart Parsons, Yvonne Peacock, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Kirsty Poskitt, Jack Proud, John Ritchie, Janet Sanderson, Karin Sedgwick, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Dan Sladden, Monika Slater, Andy Solloway, David Staveley, Neil Swannick, Malcolm Taylor, Angus Thompson, Andrew Timothy, Phil Trumper, Matt Walker, Arnold Warneken, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass.
Apologies: Derek Bastiman, John Cattanach, Sam Cross, Caroline Goodrick, Peter Lacey and Mike Schofield. .
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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170 |
Minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2025
It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting of the Council held on 26 February 2025 having been printed and circulated, are confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
The vote was taken and the motion declared carried.
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171 |
To elect a Chair of the Council to serve until the May 2026 AGM
It was moved and seconded that Councillor George Jabbour be elected Chair of the Council to serve until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.
The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 78 votes for, 1 against and 4 abstentions.
Resolved
That Councillor George Jabbour is elected Chair of the Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.
Councillor George Jabbour then made his declaration of acceptance of office of Chair of the Council and thanked the Council for his appointment.
Councillor George Jabbour in the Chair
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172 |
Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Derek Bastiman, Sam Cross, John Cattanach, Caroline Goodrick, Peter Lacey and Mike Schofield.
Councillor Arnold Warneken left the meeting at the conclusion of Minute 170 and gave apologies for the remainder of the meeting.
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173 |
To elect a Vice-Chair of the Council to serve until the May 2026 AGM
It was moved and seconded that Councillor David Chance be elected Vice-Chair of the Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the North Yorkshire Council in 2026.
It was also moved and seconded that Councillor Philip Broadbank be elected Vice-Chair of the Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the North Yorkshire Council in 2026.
On a vote being taken on each of the nominations there were 67 votes for Councillor David Chance and 16 votes for Councillor Philip Broadbank.
Resolved
That Councillor David Chance is elected Vice-Chair of the Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.
Councillor David Chance then made his declaration of acceptance of office of Vice-Chair of the Council and thanked the Council for his appointment.
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174 |
Declarations of Interest
Declarations of interest were made as follows:
Councillor Andrew Lee declared an interest in Minute 181 and advised he would leave the room during consideration of the item.
Councillor Karl Arthur declared an interest in Minute 189 as he was an employee of Network Rail which was involved in the Transforming Cities Fund initiative.
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175 |
Chair's Announcements
The Chair welcomed the Honorary Aldermen and members of the public and press who were present.
The Chair informed Members of the usual arrangements for the meeting.
The Chair reported that local communities across the county marked the 80th Anniversary of VE Day through community events, church services, parades, concerts and other activities. As Vice-Chair of the Council at the time, the Chair had the privilege of attending a flag-raising ceremony at County Hall with the Leader of the Council Councillor Carl Les and the Armed Forces Champion Councillor Kevin Foster, a VE Day service at Selby Abbey with Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright, and a VE Day Proms Celebration at Ripon Cathedral.
Following the recent elections to Harrogate Town Council and Scarborough Town Council the Chair congratulated Councillor Chris Aldred on hie election as the first Mayor of Harrogate Town Council.
The Chair informed Council that Councillor Yvonne Peacock had been awarded an MBE in the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP’s resignation honours. An MBE had also been awarded to former Hambleton District Council Councillor Ronald Kirk.
The Chair further advised that Tony Randerson had stood down as the North Yorkshire Council councillor for Eastfield on 2 May 2025. Tony was elected to North Yorkshire County Council in 2013 and then again in 2017 and 2022. He was also a Scarborough Borough Councillor and was made an honorary alderman of that council in 2023.
The death of former Craven District Councillor Paul Whittaker was noted. Paul was chairman of the former Craven District Council in 2010/11 and again in 2019/20.
The recent death of former Scarborough Borough Councillor Dorothy Clegg was also noted. Dorothy had served as Mayor for both Scarborough and Whitby.
A minute’s silence was held in memory of former Councillors Paul Whittaker and Dorothy Clegg.
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176 |
Statement by the Leader of the Council
The Leader, Councillor Carl Les, made a statement and answered questions under Council Procedure Rule 2.3 as Leader of the Council, a summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 21 and 23 of the agenda pack and in the Minute Book at pages 3231 to 3233.
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177 |
Public Questions or Statements
There were no public questions.
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178 |
Notices of Motion
There were no Notices of Motion.
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179 |
Notice of Motion 'Proposed Change to the Constitution' - referred from the Council meeting on 26 February 2025 to Scrutiny Board
This motion had been withdrawn by the proposer and seconder, Councillors Chris Aldred and Bryn Griffiths.
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180 |
To consider the report and recommendations of the Executive and make decisions on them
The Executive had recommended one matter to Council for a decision, which was:
· Amendments to the Council’s Constitution
The decision was considered separately at the meeting at Minute 185.
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181 |
Licensing Act 2003 - Adoption of a Statement of Licensing Policy
The recommendation at page 30 of the agenda pack (page 3240 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
On a vote being taken the motion was declared caried unanimously.
Resolved
That Council adopt the Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy, Appendix A.
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182 |
Gambling Act 2005 - Adoption of a Statement of Principles
The recommendations at page 164 of the agenda pack (page 3374 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried unanimously.
Resolved
That Council adopt the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles at Appendix A.
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183 |
To consider the Annual Report and recommendations of the Standards and Governance Committee 2024-2025
The recommendations at page 271 of the agenda pack (page 3481 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
Resolved
That the Council receives and notes the Annual Report of the Standards and Governance Committee.
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184 |
Annual Overview and Scrutiny Report 2024/2025
The recommendations at page 280 of the agenda pack (page 3490 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
Resolved
That the Council receives and notes the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2024/25.
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185 |
Amendments to the Council's Constitution
The recommendations at page 303 and 304 of the agenda pack (pages 3513 to 3514 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
On a vote being taken the motion was declared carried with 60 votes for the motion, 4 against and there were 3 abstentions.
Resolved – that
(a) the proposed amendments to the Constitution set out in Part A of Appendix 1 of the report be approved;
(b) Members note the amendments to the Constitution set out in Part B of Appendix 1 to the report, made by the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services under his delegated powers, for information;
(c) the proposed amendments to Council Procedure Rule 11.1(i) as set out by way of tracked changes in paragraph 4.3 of the report be approved;
(d) the proposed amendments to the Code of Practice for Councillors and Officers Dealing with Planning Matters set out in paragraph 5.1 of the report be approved;
(e) the proposed amendments to change references to ‘special meeting’ to ‘extraordinary meeting’ in the Constitution, as set out in paragraph 6.2 of the report be approved;
(f) the proposed amendments to Council Procedure Rule 15, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.
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186 |
Appointments to Committees and Outside Bodies
The recommendations at page 319 of the agenda pack (page 3529 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
The appointments to committees and the combined authority as detailed below were noted.
(a) Appeals Committee (Home to School Transport) Councillor Yvonne Peacock to stand down from the committee (sub) and Councillor Roberta Swiers to be appointed in her place (sub). Councillors Steve Mason and Monika Slater to be appointed as substitute members of the committee.
(b) Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee The North Yorkshire Independents vacancy on the committee was not filled.
(c) Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor Andrew Murday to stand down from the committee and Councillor Andrew Timothy to be appointed in his place.
(d) Scrutiny of Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor Andrew Timothy to stand down from the committee and Councillor Andrew Murday to be appointed in his place.
(e) General Licensing and Registration Committee Councillor Mike Schofield to stand down from the committee and Councillor John McCartney to be appointed.
(f) Statutory Licensing Committee Councillor Kirsty Poskitt to stand down from the committee and Councillor John Cattanach to be appointed. Councillor Mike Schofield to stand down from the committee and Councillor John McCartney to be appointed. Councillor Angus Thompson to stand down from the committee and Councillor Malcolm Taylor to be appointed.
(g) North Yorkshire Health and Wellbeing Board Matt Sandford, Director of Partnership and Place, Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership to be appointed as a representative of the Integrated Care Boards, filling a vacant seat. Mark Bradley, Acting Place Director North Yorkshire, Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership to replace Wendy Balmain as a representative of the Integrated Care Boards.
(h) Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Planning Committee Councillor John Mann to stand down as Chair of the committee and Councillor Chris Aldred be appointed to that position. Councillor Chris Aldred to stand down as Vice Chair of the committee and Councillor John Mann to be appointed.
(i) York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Committee Places
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Audit and Governance Committee
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Business Board – Public Sector Membership
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Advisory Board
Constituent Authority Representation on Combined Authority Outside Body Appointments – Transport for the North Overview and Scrutiny Committee
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187 |
Statements of Executive Members and Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees
The written statements of the Executive Members and Chairmen of the Scrutiny Board and Overview and Scrutiny Committees having previously been circulated were noted.
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188 |
Executive Member for Corporate Services - Councillor Heather Phillips
Councillor Heather Phillips, Executive Member for Corporate Services, made a statement. There were no questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 321 to 325 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3531 to 3535).
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189 |
Executive Member for Highways and Transportation - Councillor Keane Duncan
Councillor Keane Duncan, Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 327 to 329 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3537 to 3539).
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190 |
Executive Member for Health and Adult Services - Councillor Michael Harrison
Councillor Michael Harrison, Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, made a statement. There were no questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 331 to 332 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3541 to 3542).
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191 |
Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing - Councillor Simon Myers
Councillor Simon Myers, Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 333 to 337 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3543 to 3547).
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192 |
Executive Member for Children and Families - Councillor Janet Sanderson
Councillor Janet Sanderson, Executive Member for Children and Families, made a statement. There were no questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 339 to 342 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3549 to 3552).
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193 |
Executive Member for Managing our Environment - Councillor Greg White
Councillor Greg White, Executive Member for Managing our Environment, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 343 to 346 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3553 to 3556).
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194 |
Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills - Councillor Annabel Wilkinson
Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills, made a statement. There were no questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 347 to 350 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3557 to 3560).
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195 |
Executive Member for Finance and Assets - Councillor Gareth Dadd
Councillor Gareth Dadd, Executive Member for Finance and Resources, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 351 to 353 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3561 to 3563).
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196 |
Executive Member for Open to Business - Councillor Mark Crane
Councillor Mark Crane, Executive Member for Open to Business, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 355 to 358 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3565 to 3568).
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197 |
Scrutiny Board (Chair: Councillor Karin Sedgwick)
The written statement of Councillor Karin Sedgwick having previously been circulated and which appeared at page 359 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (page 3569), was noted. The Chair of the Scrutiny Board then answered questions.
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198 |
Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair: Councillor Barbara Brodigan)
The written statement of Councillor Barbara Brodigan having previously been circulated and which appeared at page 361 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (page 3571), was noted. The Chair of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee then answered questions.
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199 |
Housing and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair: Councillor Malcolm Taylor)
The written statement of Councillor Housing and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 363 to 364 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3573 to 3574), was noted.
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200 |
Care and Independence Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair: Councillor Karin Sedgwick)
The written statement of Councillor Karin Sedgwick having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 365 to 366 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3575 to 3576), was noted.
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201 |
Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair: Councillor Andrew Williams)
The written statement of Councillor Andrew Williams having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 367 to 368 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3577 to 3578), was noted.
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202 |
Scrutiny of Health (Chair: Councillor Andrew Lee)
The written statement of Councillor Andrew Lee having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 369 to 370 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3579 to 3580), was noted.
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203 |
Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair: Councillor David Staveley)
The written statement of Councillor David Staveley having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 371 to 372 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3581 to 3582), was noted.
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204 |
Use of special urgency procedures since the last meeting of Council - Report of the Leader
The report on the Use of Special Urgency Procedures since the last meeting of the Council on 26 February 2025 was considered and the recommendation at page 375 of the agenda pack (page 3585 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
Resolved
That Council receives and notes the report.
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205 |
Council Procedure Rule 10 Questions
There were no Council Procedure Rule 10 questions.
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The meeting concluded at 2.44 pm.