North Yorkshire County Council
County Council
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 18 May 2022, commencing at 10.30 am.
County Councillor Margaret Atkinson in the Chair and County Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Karl Arthur, Margaret Atkinson, Alyson Baker, Phillip Barrett, Derek Bastiman, Philip Broadbank, Eric Broadbent, Barbara Brodigan, Andy Brown, Nick Brown, John Cattanach, David Chance, Mark Crane, Sam Cross, Gareth Dadd, Melanie Davis, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Stephanie Duckett, Keane Duncan, Bridget Fortune, Kevin Foster, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Paul Haslam, Robert Heseltine, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Mike Jordan, Nigel Knapton, Peter Lacey, Andrew Lee, Carl Les, Cliff Lunn, John Mann, Pat Marsh, 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, Tony Randerson, John Ritchie, Janet Sanderson, Mike Schofield, Karin Sedgwick, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Monica Slater, David Staveley, Neil Swannick, Roberta Swiers, Malcolm Taylor, Phil Trumper, Matt Walker, Arnold Warneken, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Dave Whitfield, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson and Andrew Williams.
Apologies: Lindsay Burr MBE, Liz Colling, Caroline Dickinson, Andy Solloway, Angus Thompson and Robert Windass.
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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1 |
To elect a Chairman of County Council to serve until the May 2023 AGM
It was moved and seconded that County Councillor Margaret Atkinson be elected Chairman of the County Council to serve until the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2023.
The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 84 for, none against and no abstentions.
Resolved -
That County Councillor Margaret Atkinson is elected Chairman of the County Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2023.
County Councillor Margaret Atkinson then made her declaration of acceptance of office of Chairman of the County Council.
County Councillor Margaret Atkinson in the Chair
The Chairman thanked the Council for her election and it was then moved by her and seconded:
“That this Council places on record its appreciation of the exceptional service rendered to it by County Councillor Stuart Martin MBE as Chairman of the County Council in 2021-22.”
Leaders of other political groups spoke in support.
The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 84 for, none against and no abstentions.
Resolved -
That this Council places on record its appreciation of the exceptional service rendered to it by County Councillor Stuart Martin MBE as Chairman of the County Council in 2021-22.
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2 |
Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 16 February 2022
It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 16 February 2022, having been printed and circulated, are confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 37 for, none against and 47 abstentions.
The 37 votes in favour were made by councillors who were present at the meeting on 16 February 2022 and the 47 abstentions were made by councillors who were not members of the Council at that time and so not at the meeting.
Resolved -
That the Minutes of the meeting of the County Council on 16 February 2022, having been printed and circulated, are confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
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3 |
Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors Lindsay Burr, Liz Colling, Caroline Dickinson, Andy Solloway, Angus Thompson and Robert Windass.
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4 |
To elect a Vice-Chairman of the County Council to serve until the May 2023 AGM
It was moved and seconded that County Councillor David Ireton be elected Vice-Chairman of the County Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2023.
The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 84 for, none against and no abstentions.
Resolved -
That County Councillor David Ireton is elected Vice-Chairman of the County Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2023.
County Councillor David Ireton then made his declaration of acceptance of office of Vice-Chairman of the County Council and thanked the Council for his appointment.
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5 |
Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
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6 |
Chairman's Announcements
The Chairman welcomed the Honorary Aldermen and members of the public and press who were present.
The Chairman informed Members of the usual arrangements for the meeting.
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7 |
To elect a Leader of the Council
It was moved and seconded that County Councillor Carl Les be elected as Leader of the County Council to serve until the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2027.
The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 80 for, none against and 4 abstentions.
Resolved -
That County Councillor Carl Les be elected as Leader of the County Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2027.
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8 |
Statement by the Leader of the Council
County Councillor Carl Les made a statement and answered questions, under Council Procedure Rule 2.3, as Leader of the County Council, a summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appear in the Minute Book (pages 13658 to 13659 of the Minute Book).
County Councillor Carl Les confirmed the number and appointment of Executive members, the Deputy Leader and the allocation of portfolios and delegation of Executive powers and functions.
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9 |
Public Questions or Statements
There were no questions or statements from members of the public.
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10 |
To consider a report on the outcome of the County Council elections and the Report and Recommendations of the Allocations Committee
Allocation of seats subject to proportionality The recommendation at paragraph 13.1 of the report (page 13662 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 84 for, none against and no abstentions.
Resolved -
That the composition of the Council and consequent allocation of seats to Political Groups on committees be noted and approved.
Appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen on the committees The recommendation at paragraph 13.2 of the report (page 13663 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 83 for, none against and 1 abstentions.
Resolved -
That the Members nominated as Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the committees be appointed, as circulated at the meeting of the County Council.
Area Constituency Committee membership The recommendation at paragraph 13.3 of the report (page 13663 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 84 for, none against and no abstentions.
Resolved -
That the Members of the County Council nominated to serve on each of the Area Constituency Committees, being the Members representing electoral divisions within the area of each Committee, be appointed to the Area Constituency Committee specified.
Major Outside Bodies The recommendation at paragraph 13.4 of the report (page 13663 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 84 for, none against and no abstentions.
Resolved -
That the seats on Major Outside Bodies, to which the County Council makes appointments, allocated as shown between the Political Groups, be appointed.
Council’s Substitute Members Scheme The recommendation at paragraph 13.5 of the report (page 13663 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 84 for, none against and no abstentions.
Resolved -
In accordance with the Council’s Substitute Members scheme, Members nominated on the Standing Lists of Substitutes, prepared by the Political Groups and circulated at the meeting of the County Council, be appointed.
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11 |
To consider the report and recommendations of the Executive and make decisions on them
Revised Planning Enforcement and Monitoring Policy The recommendation at paragraph 3.2 of the report (page 13673 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 83 for, none against and 1 abstention.
Resolved -
That the draft ‘Planning Enforcement and Monitoring Policy’ be adopted.
Amendments to the County Council’s Constitution The recommendation at paragraph 3.3 of the report (page 13673 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 83 for, none against and 1 abstention.
Resolved -
That the amendments to the Constitution set out in the report and appendices be adopted.
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12 |
Formal meetings of the Authority's committees from 18 May 2022 onwards
The recommendation at paragraph 11.0 of the report (page 13677 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried, with 84 for, none against and no abstentions.
Resolved –
That:
1. Committee meetings where formal decisions are made are held as in person meetings from 18 May 2022 onwards 2. Consideration be given to whether some or all of the non-decision making meetings, listed in para 4.8, could be held remotely 3. That the power be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the Leader to determine which committee meetings could be held virtually and which could be held physically, subject to consultation with the relevant committee Chair.
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Statements of Executive Members, in the order set out below, followed by the Statements of the Chairmen of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees
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13 |
Executive Member for Open to Business
County Councillor Derek Bastiman, Executive Member for Open to Business, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 13680 to 13681).
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14 |
Executive Member for Working in localities
County Councillor Greg White, Executive Member for Working in localities, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 13682 to 13689).
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15 |
Executive Member for Finance and Assets and Special Projects
County Councillor Gareth Dadd, Executive Member for Finance and Assets and Special Projects, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (page 13690).
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16 |
Executive Member for Children's Services
County Councillor Janet Sanderson, Executive Member for Children’s Services, made a statement and answered questions, a summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 13692 to 13693).
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17 |
Executive Member for Education and Skills
County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, Executive Member for Education and Skills, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 13694 to 13695).
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18 |
Executive Member for Highways and Transportation
County Councillor Keane Duncan, Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 13696 to 13698).
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19 |
Executive Member for Corporate Services
County Councillor David Chance, Executive Member for Corporate Services, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 13700 to 13703).
There were a number of questions regarding the proposed accommodation of 1,500 asylum seekers at the ex-RAF base at Linton-on-Ouse.
A motion was proposed, seconded and then accepted by the Chairman of the Council, as follows:
“The County Council has no confidence in the Home Office handling in relation to the action being undertaken in Linton-on-Ouse, with regard to the resettlement of asylum seekers, due to the lack of consultation with local communities and stakeholders.”
The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 77 for, none against and 7 abstentions.
Resolved -
That a letter be sent to the Secretary of State for the Home Department noting the motion of no confidence in the Home Office regarding the resettlement of asylum seekers in Linton-on-Ouse.
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20 |
Executive Member for Health and Adult Services
County Councillor Michael Harrison, Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (page 13704).
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21 |
Executive Member for Planning for Growth
County Councillor Simon Myers, Executive Member for Planning for Growth, made a statement. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 13706 to 13707).
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22 |
Scrutiny Board
The written statements of the Chairmen of the Scrutiny Board and the Overview and Scrutiny Committees having previously been circulated, and which appear in the Minute Book (pages 13708 to 13721), were noted.
The Chairmen of the Scrutiny of Health Committee, Care and Independence Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Transport Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee answered questions.
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23 |
Notices of Motion
No Notices of Motion were received within the deadline.
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24 |
Use of special urgency procedures since the last meeting of County Council
The report on the Use of Special Urgency Procedures since the last meeting of the County Council in July was considered and the recommendation at section 10.1 of the report (page 13724 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
Resolved –
That the report on the Use of Special Urgency Procedures since the last meeting of the County Council in February 2022, be noted.
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25 |
Council Procedure Rule 10 Questions
There were no Council Procedure Rule 10 questions.
The meeting closed at 1.55pm.
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