North Yorkshire Council
Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee
Minutes of the remote meeting held on Thursday, 6th June, 2024 commencing at 10.00 am.
Officers present: Julian Rudd, Head of Regeneration (South & West); Sharon Sunter, Economic Development Manager; Andrew Laycock, Economic Development Officer; Sharon Hudson, Communications, Customer Services and Partnerships Manager; Elaine Hiser, Community Sport and Active Wellbeing Officer; Liz Meade, Communities Area Manager (Central Area); Stephen Loach, Principal Democratic Services Officer (Remote); Vicky Davies, Senior Democratic Services Officer; and David Smith, Democratic Services Officer.
In attendance: Councillor Carl Les; Lois Brown, Brendan Kennedy, and Bill Graham - Modality.
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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116 |
Election of a Chair
Councillor Richard Foster was nominated for the position and by a show of hands, there was unanimous support.
Resolved –
a) That Councillor Richard Foster be appointed Chair, to serve until the first meeting of the Committee following the NYC AGM in May 2025.
Councillor Richard Foster in the Chair
The Chair declared the following:
Members will be aware that we are in a pre-election period, with the General Election being held on 4 July 2024. Whilst the business of the Council continues, we do need to be mindful of avoiding giving an individual or a political group a platform by which they can influence public opinion in the lead up to the election. Please can I ask that all members are mindful of this during today’s proceedings.
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Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 March 2024
Considered –
The minutes of the meeting of the Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee held on 7 March 2024.
Resolved –
(a) That the Minutes of the meeting of the Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee held on 7 March 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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118 |
Election of a Vice Chair
Councillor Andy Solloway was nominated for the position and by a show of hands, there was unanimous support.
Resolved –
a) That Councillor Andy Solloway be appointed Vice-Chair, to serve until the first meeting of the Committee following the NYC AGM in May 2025.
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119 |
Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Councillors Philip Barrett and Simon Myers.
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120 |
Declarations of Interest
Councillor Andy Solloway declared that he was a trustee of the Coulthurst Sports Trust, the organisation who manage Sandylands Sports Centre. He also declared that he was involved in some of the meetings leading up to the Masterplan.
Councillor Andy Brown declared that he volunteered for Modality during the Covid period.
Councillor David Noland declared that he is a patient of Modality. He also declared that he plays for Skipton Cricket Club, which is based at Sandylands Sprots Centre.
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121 |
Public Questions or Statements
There were none.
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Councillor Felicity Cunliffe-Lister joined the meeting at 10.34am.
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122 |
Modality GP Partnership
Considered –
A report and appendices updating Members on their concerns over Modality-run GP practices, starting at page 11 of the papers.
Introductions were made and Councillors were informed that ICB colleagues were unable to attend the meeting due to the pre-election period guidance that they had received.
Representatives from Modality outlined the information in the report in depth, adding the following points:
- Patients can complete an online form; call the practice and provide the information so that a member of staff can complete the form on their behalf; or attend the practice in person and either complete the form themselves or ask for assistance from the staff.
- The new system was introduced to make the appointment request process fairer, especially for those with accessibility needs. Most GP practices stop taking appointment requests too early, but the new system allows Modality practices to keep taking requests until after 4.00pm. As the requests are now assessed by a GP, appointments are no longer distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Statistics for Fischer Medical were used as an example – the practice receives over 1000 requests every week and 87% of these are dealt with on the same day or within two days. Statistics to provide the national context were also provided – for example, only 2.5% of GP practices across the nation are classified as ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, and Modality have been awarded this status again.
- Routine appointments are ordinarily provided within two weeks of contacting the practice. Urgent concerns are addressed more quickly.
- Modality have introduced a repeat prescription ordering service on the phone which has further reduced call wait times.
- Some patients were supportive of the new system from the outset, but others did not welcome the change. Generally, the majority of patients are now used to the new way of working, with 80% of appointment requests being made online. Consultations still take place and Modality aim to continue to make improvements – for example, Modality aim to reduce call wait times to under 10 minutes.
The following points were raised in the discussion:
- Councillor Nick Brown declared that he is a Governor on the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust as a stakeholder for North Yorkshire Council. He also declared that he has previously sat as a Trustee on Touchstone.
- Members highlighted that documents should be in simple English where possible so that they are more accessible. Modality representatives informed Members that they are aware of this issue and endeavour to make documents and websites as accessible as possible.
- The new Modality system allows patients to choose whether they would like to wait for an appointment with a GP that they know, or have an appointment as early as possible. Modality endeavour to work to these requests.
- It was reported that retention of non-clinical staff is better since the introduction of the new system because front-line staff are no longer responsible for deciding when appointments should be.
- Modality suggested that a Member of the ACC join their patient participation group to suggest new ideas and assist with communicating information to residents.
- Modality also asked that North Yorkshire Council understand the consequences on GPs when reducing spending on its health services. They also highlighted that granting additional housing can put pressure on public services.
Resolved –
a) That the report and presentation is noted.
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123 |
Economic, Regeneration, Tourism and Transport Project Development Fund for the Area Constituency Committees
Considered –
A report and appendices updating Members on the current budget position for the Fund and presenting Project Scoping Forms for consideration.
Julian Rudd, Head of Regeneration (South & West), introduced the report and a discussion followed.
Regarding the Sector Growth Opportunities project, Officers clarified that the funding would go towards acquiring specialist knowledge and expertise. There was agreement that care should be taken when deciding the consultants for this project and environmental concerns were discussed.
Regarding the Ripon Mobility Hub project, the importance of a Ripon to Thirsk Railway Station link was highlighted. The importance of other modes of transport, for example walking and cycling, was also noted. It was suggested that Ripon doesn’t require additional parking for coaches, but better facilities for the parking that already exists.
Officers clarified that they aim to have these projects completed before April 2025.
Officers confirmed that funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority would likely be available, but that details of this have not yet been finalised. There was agreement that the ACC should be involved in discussions with the Mayor for projects in this area and Members suggested that the Mayor should attend ACC meetings regularly.
Members suggested the following areas of interest for projects:
1) The priorities of rural communities – maintain transport, e-connectivity and new housing (research into where developments should take place).
2) Linking farmers to customers more directly – farmers selling produce directly to customers.
Resolved –
a) That the Project Scoping form for the project: ‘Sector Growth Opportunities – Health, Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences’ as presented at Appendix A of the report is unanimously endorsed.
b) That the Project Scoping form for the project: ‘Ripon Mobility Hub’ as presented at Appendix B of the report is unanimously endorsed.
c) That the committee requests that the relevant Scoping Proformas are presented to the Corporate Director (Community Development) for the projects to be funded from the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee Budget Allocation.
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Sandylands Masterplan
Considered –
A report and appendix presenting the Sandylands Masterplan to be noted by Members.
Elaine Hiser, Community Sport and Active Wellbeing Officer, introduced the report, explaining that the Masterplan provides a long-term plan for the Sandylands site. Whilst work on the Masterplan is still ongoing, Members were asked to note the importance of it as a strategic document for the site.
There was general agreement that the Masterplan considers the complexity of the site and the differing views on development. Members suggested that increased parking provision may be required on the site in order to solve current traffic issues.
Resolved –
a) That the report and appendix is noted.
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125 |
Stronger Communities Annual Report
Considered –
A report providing an update on the Stronger Communities Programme and an overview of progress made in the Skipton and Ripon Constituency area in 2023/24.
Liz Meade, Communities Area Manager (Central Area), presented the report, adding the following points:
- Five of the Inspire Grants given in the old Harrogate Borough Council area are within the Skipton and Ripon Constituency. - Support and advice was provided to Masham Community Hub when they were purchasing their building. - The Homes for Ukraine Programme is potentially going on longer than expected. If Councillors become aware of any issues, they should contact the Migrant Programmes Manager.
Resolved –
a) That the report is noted. b) That a Stronger Communities Annual Report is presented to the June 2025 meeting.
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126 |
Let's Talk Food - Survey Feedback
Considered –
A report presenting feedback from the latest ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign – ‘Let’s Talk Food’.
Resolved –
a) That the report is noted.
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127 |
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:
- An update report by Modality detailing how they have been tracking improvements was requested in 6-12 months. - Members highlighted that they should have a standing item with the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire to discuss issues surrounding housing, public transport, adult skills and general economic development. It was suggested that Members should submit questions before the meeting. - Members felt that a review of some of the negative impacts of tourism should be investigated. This should include information on how littering, traffic and rising costs for locals have improved since the Craven District Council report of Autumn 2022.
There were comments made in relation to Kex Gill drop-in sessions being held in Hampthswaite, and not more locally.
Resolved –
a) That the above items be added to the work programme.
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Any Other Items
There were none.
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Date of Next Meeting
Thursday, 5 September 2024 at 10.00am.
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The meeting concluded at 12.11 pm.