North Yorkshire County Council

Executive

Minutes of the remote meeting held on Tuesday, 18th October 2022 commencing at 11.00 am.

County Councillor Carl Les in the Chair. plus County Councillors Gareth Dadd, Derek Bastiman, Simon Myers, Janet Sanderson, David Chance, Keane Duncan, Greg White and Annabel Wilkinson.

In attendance: County Councillors Eric Broadbent and Paul Haslam.

Officers present: Karl Battersby, Stuart Carlton, Gary Fielding, Barry Khan, Melanie Carr, Daniel Harry and Anton Hodge.

Other Attendees: Sharon Cousins, Dean Richardson Marcus Lee, Mark Heaton, Simon Fisher, and Kerrie Metcalfe

Apologies: Richard Flinton and Richard Webb.

Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book

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84	Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 September 2022 Resolved – That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2022, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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85	Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest.

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86	Public Questions and Statements There were no public questions or statements.

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Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Considered: A report of the Corporate Director for Strategic Resources seeking approval for the implementation of the North Yorkshire Council’s Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme with effect from 1st April 2023.

County Councillor Gareth Dadd introduced the report confirming the challenges around developing one scheme appropriate for all areas of the new authority, where previously seven had existed. He also noted the excellent joint working by officers that had contributed to the development of the new proposed scheme. He suggested the scheme should be considered alongside that of the Discount and Premiums Scheme agreed at the Executive’s last meeting, as that scheme would claw back the additional costs of this scheme. Finally, he confirmed the majority of consultation responses had been very positive.

Gareth Dadd, Corporate Director for Strategic Resources drew attention to the recommendations within the report and the particular the proposed delegations.

County Councillor Eric Broadbent questioned whether more could be done to support who would struggle financially and suggested the addition of an agent supported scheme may be a good way forward.

Marcus Lee, Ryedale District Council S151 Officer confirmed work was ongoing to provide appropriate support to those seeking financial assistance, and it was noted that modelling work had shown that 16.5K of working aged claimants would be better off, whereas 2.5K would receive less support.

The Executive noted the report and it was

Resolved – That:

i. The consultation responses on the draft CTR proposals be noted;

ii. It be recommended that Full Council approve the new, income banded / grid Council Tax Reduction scheme for working age applicants with effect from 1st April 2023; as detailed within Sections 5 and 6 of the report;

iii. Authority to approve the accompanying Exceptional Hardship Scheme be delegated to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Resources and Special Projects;

iv. The authority to grant relief under the Exceptional Hardship Scheme be delegated to the S151 Officer.

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Council Tax Harmonisation

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Strategic Resources advising the Executive of the recommendations of the Council Tax Harmonisation Member Working Group and the process by which it arrived at those recommendations.

Gary Fielding, Corporate Director Strategic Resources introduced the report and provided a brief overview of the work undertaken by the Working Group, as detailed in the report. He also acknowledged the valuable contribution of District Council officers and independent experts who had supported the process.

Finally, Gary Fielding drew attention to the cross party Working Group’s agreed conclusions that:

· Straight-line harmonisation was the most appropriate option as it was deemed to offer the fairest and most straight forward solution; and

· Council Tax yield should be protected and the weighted average Band D Council Tax charge should be maintained throughout the period of harmonisation.

· Council Tax charges across the North Yorkshire Council area be harmonised over two financial years

County Councillor Gareth Dadd recognised that harmonisation was only part of the story given that residents in some areas were also paying one or more precepts as well.

County Councillor Carl Les thanked the Working Group and supporting officers for their work and having noted the findings of the Working Group, the Executive

Resolved – That it be recommended in principle to Council, subject to the outcome of the public consultation, that:

i. The Council Tax levels for the North Yorkshire Council be harmonised over a two year period, commencing in the financial year commencing 1 April 2023;

ii. The weighted average Council Tax level be maintained for Council Tax harmonisation purposes and that harmonisation be applied on a straight-line basis over the two-year period.

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Taxi Licensing Policy and Conditions

Considered: A report of the Chair of the Licensing Member Working Group presenting a draft Hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy for the Executive’s consideration, which had been drawn up to demonstrate the Council’s commitment to securing public safety, provide clarity for applicants and licence holders, assist decision making, facilitate enforcement activities and help safeguard against legal challenge.

County Councillor Derek Bastiman, Chair of the Licensing Member Working Group, introduced the report and confirmed the new draft policy promoted the highest possible standards, whilst also providing a consistent approach for both the licensed trade and the public.

He went on to encourage participation in the planned consultation and suggested the options for how to contribute to the consultation should be widened to maximise participation. Finally to provided an overview of the timetable for the future decision.

Sharon Cousins, Licensing Manager at Selby District Council clarified that a single zone would enable drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles to work anywhere across the county, increasing the availability of that vehicle type for wheelchair users.

Having noted the report, the Executive

Resolved – That:

i. The provisions of Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (other than section 45) be adopted within the administrative area of North Yorkshire Council, with effect from the 1 April 2023, with the caveat of the decision only taking effect if the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy has been adopted for the 1 April 2023;

ii. The proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy as shown in Appendix 1 of the report be endorsed;

iii. A 12-week public consultation on the new North Yorkshire Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy be commenced.

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90	Forward Plan Considered – The Forward Plan for the period 10 October 2022 to 31 October 2023 was presented. Resolved - That the Forward Plan be noted.

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91	Other business which the Leader agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances In regard to a vacancy in the Shareholder Committee membership, the Executive Resolved - That Cllr Derek Bastiman be appointed to the Shareholder Committee

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The meeting concluded at 11.26 am.

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