North Yorkshire Council
Selby and Ainsty Area Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on Friday, 13 December 2024 commencing at 10.00 am.
Councillor Melanie Davis in the Chair and Councillors John Cattanach, Mark Crane, Stephanie Duckett, Tim Grogan, Mike Jordan, John McCartney, Bob Packham, Andy Paraskos, Kirsty Poskitt, Jack Proud, Steve Shaw-Wright and Arnold Warneken.
Officers present: Matt Roberts, Dawn Drury, Sarah Fenwick, Nicki Lishman, David Smith and Lorraine Larini.
Apologies: Councillors Karl Arthur and Andrew Lee
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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100 |
Welcome and introductions
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
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101 |
Minutes of the meeting held on the 19 September 2024
Resolved
That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 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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102 |
Apologies and declarations of interest
Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Arthur and Lee.
Councillor Stephanie Duckett declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as a housing tenant of North Yorkshire Council.
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103 |
Public questions or statements
There were no public questions.
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104 |
Update by the MP
Keir Mather, MP for Selby attended the Area Committee and provided the following update.
As part of my work as the Member of Parliament for Selby and Kippax, I am providing a written update to the Chair on my work locally.
Improving mobile phone signal for households and businesses The issue of inadequate mobile phone signal continues to be one of the most frequent concerns raised by constituents, as reflected in the volume of correspondence I receive on a weekly basis. To better understand the extent of this problem, I have actively engaged with local residents and businesses who are affected by poor mobile coverage.
I have been working with the major mobile phone providers (including Three, O2, Vodafone, and EE), to explore potential solutions for improving signal strength in our area. In addition, I have met with Chris Bryant MP, the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, to discuss the future infrastructure plans for telecommunications in our local area.
Looking ahead, I am committed to continuing to engage with local councillors and relevant stakeholders on this issue. My next course of action will be to convene a roundtable meeting with local businesses to explore further steps and identify possible solutions for improving mobile phone coverage in the constituency. I will further update the ACC on my actions in this area in due course.
Protecting communities from flooding and adverse weather The recent impact of Storm Darragh has underscored the significant risks posed by flooding and extreme weather events in our area. These adverse weather conditions not only present immediate threats to safety but also exacerbate existing challenges, such as poor mobile phone signal, which makes communication during emergencies even more difficult.
In response to these challenges, I have been in ongoing discussions with Emma Hardy MP, the Minister for Flooding, to ensure that our local flood defences are adequately strengthened. Earlier this year whilst she was the Shadow Flooding Minister, Emma Hardy visited the constituency to meet with local residents and understand the unique concerns we face in relation to flooding.
In addition to working with the Flooding Minister, I am collaborating with North Yorkshire Council (NYC) and community groups such as South Milford Against Flooding to enhance flood preparedness and resilience in the Selby District.
Safer roads for our communities Improving road safety remains a key priority for my work in the constituency. In particular, I am focused on enhancing safety around schools and addressing broader road safety concerns for both residents and visitors.
North Yorkshire is unique in these challenges: road deaths in Yorkshire and The Humber are up by 7.1% in 2023/2024 - whilst in North Yorkshire, the increase is much larger, up by a staggering 41%. Whereas not too far away in Leeds, a city with much greater car use, deaths and serious injury is down by 11%. [Statistics from Brake]
To that end, I have written to every school in the constituency to gather information on their specific concerns about road safety, especially in areas frequented by students and parents. In parallel, I have launched a petition calling for improved road safety measures across North Yorkshire, urging local residents to support the cause.
I have also taken the opportunity to raise specific safety concerns with the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation at North Yorkshire Council, Keane Duncan, pushing for swift action on the issues raised by local schools and residents.
A key area of focus is the installation of fixed speed cameras. North Yorkshire is the only county in the UK that does not have fixed speed cameras, a situation that has been linked to a higher incidence of road casualties. While the decision to install speed cameras lies with North Yorkshire Police, I am actively engaging with local parish councils and have written to the Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire, and Crime, Jo Coles, to confirm her position on this matter.
I would welcome further input from councillors on this issue as we continue to advocate for road safety improvements in the area.
Improving Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision The provision of adequate education and support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is a critical issue for many families in our community. I remain committed to pushing for the swift development of the planned SEND school in Selby, and I am pleased to have received confirmation from the Department for Education (DfE) that the contractor has not withdrawn from the project, allowing us to move forward.
In addition, the Government recently announced an additional £2 billion in funding for SEND provision, along with an uplift for early years education. While this funding is a positive step, I am aware that North Yorkshire’s allocation remains relatively low, and I am working to ensure that our area receives its fair share.
I have maintained regular engagement with schools and local leaders to address the challenges facing our SEND provision. I am also aware that some school governors and leaders in the Selby area, including Ray Wells, the Chair of Governors at Barlby Bridge Primary School, are working to establish a forum to better understand the distinct challenges faced by schools in our constituency and to develop a strategy for addressing them. He has requested that councillors seek to get involved.
For further information, or to discuss these issues, please do not hesitate to contact my office:
01757 247990 16 Park Street, Selby, YO8 4PW
Members of the Committee requested that Sir Alex Shelbrooke, MP for Wetherby and Easingwold, be invited to attend or provide a written update to future meetings of the committee.
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Housing stock update
Ms Lorraine Larini, Head of Housing Standards, gave an update on Social Housing Standards with particular reference to the introduction of Awaabs Law, which was due to be published by the end of the year.
The law introduced strict time limits for landlords to take action to address dangerous hazards such as damp and mould. When reported, properties have to be surveyed within 14 days and remedial works then put in place with agreement of tenants.
The service had received a C3 grading from the Regulator of Social Housing and was engaging with the regulator to improve that rating as soon as possible. The officer explained those areas which were found to be non-compliant and outlined steps that were being taken to improve.
Ms Larini went on to explain what the service was doing to bring together the different systems and practices from the three legacy areas of the county, including an increase of 35% in the workforce. Recruitment was continuing to ensure that all service areas were fully staffed.
Areas of focus were addressing non-decency and ensuring that all NYC homes reached a minimum energy performance certificate rating of C by 2030. There were approximately 4000 homes to retrofit.
Councillors questioned the officer on:
· The status of the housing stock within Selby and Ainsty divisions - the officer explained that there was a considerable backlog, as properties were brought up to standard before letting, but less than 2% were void. It was expected to have the backlog cleared by April 2025. · Funding for retrofitting – the service was funded from the housing revenue account and had submitted bids for funding. Funding dictated the speed of work, but the aim was to reduce the time taken for repairs and that the repairs would be to a better standard. · Housing condition surveys – the target was to undertake 50 stock conditions surveys per week over an 18 month programme of work. There were a considerable number of homes to improve within the Selby and Ainsty division. · Councillors were pleased to hear that staffing had increased in professional, technical staff and in house trade teams, but asked if this would speed up repairs etc. – Ms Larini explained that the service was now less reliant on contractors but were undertaking approximately 2000 repairs per month across the housing stock in Selby, Harrogate and Richmondshire. · Councillors asked what was holding up retrofitting - capacity within NYC to mobilise contractors had been an issue.
A Member asked for the statistics of the percentage of work done by inhouse tradespeople and by contractors. The officer advised that there were issues with accessing the data from the current three different systems but would send a written reply if the information could be provided.
The Chair thanked Ms Larini for the presentation.
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Housing standards presentation
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106 |
Transforming cities fund - Selby station gateway
Matt Roberts, the Economic and Regeneration Programme Manager updated the Area Committee on the progress of the Transforming Cities Fund – Selby Station Gateway project.
The presentation outlined the local context and the proposals, which aimed to:
• Reduce congestion and vehicle traffic enabling more sustainable economic growth. • Improve accessibility to employment, education, leisure, social and health facilities enabling social mobility for deprived communities.
• Reduce GHG emissions associated with motorised vehicles helping reduce global heating. • Increase walking and cycling levels and reduced particulates, helping improve public health. • Increase rail patronage. • Increase home ownership. • Increase value of land and homes in the area. • Increase visitor and hospitality-based activity.
The major milestones of the programme were shown, leading to an estimated completion date of June 2027. The programme was dependent on other factors such as:
• Network Rail programme and resources. • Inflation and cost rises since last pricing – factored into costs until Summer. Cost is very much driven by programme length and this was being condensed through TM discussions. Additional cost was inevitable. Options to treat identified. • Northern Power disconnections had taken longer than envisaged but were progressing. • Third party constraints/land.
Councillors considered the information provided and questioned Mr Roberts on aspects of the proposal such as:
· The viability of Olympia Park · Possible land purchases that may require re-examining such as the Arches. · The availability of baseline data on particulates – the officer advised that an air quality monitor would soon be installed. · Consideration of safe cycle routes and improved cycle security at the station.
The Chair thanked Mr Roberts for the presentation.
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Vision for Selby
Sarah Fenwick, the Principal Regeneration Officer brought an update to the Committee, as a result of a recent television report on “Make Selby great again!” during which Councillor Mark Crane, Executive Member for Open to Business had been interviewed.
The York and North Yorkshire Mayor’s office had requested a strategic plan over the next 18-24 months, as Selby was one of the priority areas for the Combined Authority’s town investment plan.
Ms Fenwick took Members through the aims of the Vision for Selby which were to:
· Deliver significant housing, employment and commercial development. · Elevate the vitality, accessibility, and liveability of Selby and support the role of the town as a focus for growth. · Transform travel to and within the town, revitalise the viability of the town centre and its businesses and increase its appeal to residents and visitors.
This would be achieved in five phases.
· Phase 1 – Selby Station Gateway (Transforming Cities Fund) · Phase 2 – Abbey Quarter – the plans for Selby Park regeneration will go out to consultation in February 2025 and it was hoped that there may be a potential bid for funding for improvements for the Market Place from the Shared Prosperity Fund · Phase 3 – Station Quarter · Phase 4 – Olympia Quarter – a stakeholder event for phases 3 and 4 would be held in February 2025. · Phase 5 – Crosshills Lane, Selby
Members discussed the proposals and made a number of suggestions including:
· Focus on traffic · Include views of stakeholders from Sherburn and Tadcaster · Suggested online briefing to the Area Committee on proposed for improvements and methodology
Councillor Mark Crane welcomed the opportunity for the Area Committee to receive early sight of the proposals.
Councillor Jordan left the meeting at 11:40am and Councillors Cattenach and Crane left the meeting at 12:15pm.
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Vision for Selby update
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108 |
Update on a previously endorsed project under the Economic, Regeneration, Tourism and Transport Project Development Fund
Sarah Fenwick, the Principal Regeneration Officer reported that the costs of the projects previously recommended by the Area Committee under the economic, regeneration, tourism and transport project development fund had changed slightly.
The costs of the town guides had reduced, therefore the committee was asked to recommend that any balance remaining from the other previously endorsed projects be added to the Real Time Bus Information project, to provide more digital units at local bus stops.
Councillor Packham moved and Councillor Poskitt seconded the proposal.
Recommendation
That any balance remaining from the other previously endorsed projects be added to the Real Time Bus Information project to provide more digital units at local bus stops.
Voting record 6 For 1 Against 2 Abstentions
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Work programme
Members were invited to consider, amend and add to the committee’s work programme.
1. Councillor Melanie Davis put forward the following recommendation:
There is currently no specialist SEND provision in Selby. There have been years of delay in starting the build for the new SEND school on Osgodby. The completion is now scheduled for mid 2026. Entrance into the new school will be staggered which will mean more years before its one hundred places are filled. We are aware that there is already more need in Selby alone than this new school can provide. Parents and families in the former Selby district struggle daily to educate their children at home or face putting their children into taxis early in the morning and waiting for their return much later in the day. This deprives those children from developing healthy play relationships with their neighbours because they cannot develop those friendship groups when they are away from home for so many hours each week.
This situation has been made worse by the now imminent closure of the SEND unit at Carlton Holy Family school which has been instrumental in providing a good education for many local children.
There is currently no real plan in place to replace that existing service which will compound an already impossible situation for local families.
Selby Area Committee therefore resolves:
That the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee conducts an immediate and urgent review of current SEND provision across the former Selby District to address these delivery gaps and produces a report within the next 3 months to reassure parents and local schools that, working with willing local schools, local SEND provision will be temporarily enhanced to fill the gap when Carlton Holy Family closes and additional SEND services will be commissioned to raise the number of available places for our children prior to the opening of the new school.
This review should consider working cross boundary with neighbouring local authorities and providing additional financial support for those schools who have already demonstrate a good record working with SEND pupils. Funds could be freed up from the school travel budget if more local provision is found which would demonstrate much better value for money than the prohibitive costs of using out of area taxis for long journeys.
Councillor Jack Proud proposed and Councillor Kirsty Poskitt seconded the recommendation, which was unanimously agreed.
Recommendation
That the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee conducts an immediate and urgent review of current SEND provision across the former Selby District to address these delivery gaps and produces a report within the next 3 months to reassure parents and local schools that, working with willing local schools, local SEND provision will be temporarily enhanced to fill the gap when Carlton Holy Family closes and additional SEND services will be commissioned to raise the number of available places for our children prior to the opening of the new school.
This review should consider working cross boundary with neighbouring local authorities and providing additional financial support for those schools who have already demonstrate a good record working with SEND pupils. Funds could be freed up from the school travel budget if more local provision is found which would demonstrate much better value for money than the prohibitive costs of using out of area taxis for long journeys.
Additions to work programme
Members requested:
· A written update be provided as a matter of urgency on the recently announced closure of Dennison House Care Home, Selby. · That the Community Safety and CCTV Manager be invited to a future meeting to update the Committee on the service, with reference to the siting of knife bins in the division. · That an update on enforcement be brought to a future meeting of the Committee with reference to Planning and Environmental Health. This to include:
ØThe powers available ØHow often they have been used. ØWhich service is responsible for the types of enforcement.
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110 |
Community Safety and CCTV Service update
Members noted the update provided and requested that the Community Safety and CCTV Manager be invited to a future meeting of the committee.
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111 |
Local bus services in the Committee area update
Members noted the update provided and requested that information on the Connexions bus service be included in future updates.
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112 |
Local train services in the Committee area update
Members noted the update provided.
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113 |
Free SEND school update
Members noted the update from the Head of SEND Strategic Planning and Resources who advised that the highway works described at the last meeting have been completed and there was nothing further to update.
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Impact on Area Committee since the changes to parliamentary boundaries
Members noted that there was nothing to update since the last meeting of the committee.
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115 |
Any other business that, in the opinion of the Chairman by reason of special circumstances, should be considered as a matter of urgency
There were no items of urgent business.
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Date of next meeting
10am Friday, 25 April 2025.
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The meeting concluded at 1.05 pm.