North Yorkshire County Council
Executive
Minutes of the remote meeting held on Tuesday, 25th October 2022 commencing at 11.00 am.
County Councillor Carl Les in the Chair. plus County Councillors Gareth Dadd, Derek Bastiman, Michael Harrison, Simon Myers, Janet Sanderson, David Chance, Keane Duncan, Greg White and Annabel Wilkinson.
In attendance: County Councillors Paul Haslam, Bob Packham and Steve Shaw-Wright.
Officers present: Richard Flinton, Barry Khan, Gary Fielding, Karl Battersby, Stuart Carlton, Daniel Harry, Mark Kibblewhite, John Lee, Louise Wallace and Laura Wilson.
Other Attendees: Sherri Williamson, Wallace Sampson and Paula Lorimer,
Apologies: Richard Webb.
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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Introductions
County Councillor Carl Les welcomed everyone to the meeting and took the opportunity to formally record his congratulations to North Yorkshire MP Rishi Sunak for becoming Prime Minister.
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Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 October 2022
Resolved –
That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2022, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chairman as a correct record.
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Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
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Exclusion of the public from the meeting during consideration of each of the items of business listed in Column 1 of the following table on the grounds that they each involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph(s) specified in column 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information)(Variation) Order 2006:-
Resolved –
That on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, the public was excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendices A, and its associated Appendices 1 & 2 to Agenda item 12 – Section 24 Consent for Appointment of Preferred Contractor for Harrogate Convention Centre Redevelopment
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Public Questions and Statements
There were no public questions or statements.
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Woodfield Community Primary School, Harrogate
Considered – A report of the Corporate Director for Children & Young People’s Services providing the Executive with information upon which to make a decision on proposals published by North Yorkshire County Council to close Woodfield Community Primary School in Harrogate from 31 December 2022, together with the future arrangements for the School’s current catchment.
County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson introduced the report and provided an overview of the issues that had led to the proposed closure, together with an outline of the proposed revisions to the catchment areas. She also confirmed the previous decision of the Executive to enter in to a consultation period and the outcomes of that consultation.
It was noted that there had been a late objection submitted
County Councillor Paul Haslam expressed concern that negative comments on social media had been the catalyst for the Ofsted inspection, which had led to the school becoming subject to special measures. He suggested it would be worthwhile carrying out a review of the events. Members expressed sympathy that external factors had eventually led the closure proposal, and noted the impact of negative unrefuted social media was a national issue. In response, Stuart Carlton - Corporate Director for Children & Young People’s Services confirmed he would be happy to meet with Cllr Haslam and the Chair of Governors.
County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson thanked the School’s leadership team and its governors for all their hard work in trying to find an alternative solution to close, but having accepted that the Executive had no option but to follow the legislation, Executive Members
Resolved – That: i. The four key issues listed above in paragraph 7.3 of the report had been satisfied and there could be a determination of the proposals ii Woodfield Community Primary School cease to be maintained from 31 December 2022 iii. The catchment area of Woodfield Community Primary School be made a shared catchment area for both Bilton Grange Primary School and Grove Road Community Primary School from 1 January 2023.
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Grant of new leases to Community Libraries
Considered – A report of the Corporate Director, Strategic Resources seeking approval for the granting of new leases to a number of Community Libraries.
County Councillor Greg White introduced the report confirming the current model of community led libraries had been introduced 5 years previously in response to a period of austerity and the need to reduce costs.
Executive Member expressed their pride at the Library Services, which they agreed was a testament to the staff and volunteers that ran the community libraries. It was noted that a series of service level agreements were coming to the end of their 5yr period and were up for renewal, and that some of them were based on peppercorn rents and a number were based on contributions to utilities.
Specifically in regard to Sherburn Library, County Councillor Bob Packham highlighted his concerns that the rapid rise in fuel costs would hit the library hard. He suggested this be considered, particularly in light of the library being situated within an otherwise unused council owned building, where the heating was on throughout, resulting in higher than necessary bills.
County Councillor Greg White agreed further consideration should be given to those libraries affected in such a way, to see if a saving could be made for both parties.
Gary Fielding – Corporate Director for Strategic Resources agreed to take account of the issues raised at the meeting when considering the appropriate terms for the new leases.
Finally, Executive Members acknowledged the success of the current model for library services and recognised their contribution to communities in response to local needs. It was therefore
Resolved – That the County Council should proceed with the proposed leases, on terms to be approved by the Corporate Director, Strategic Resources.
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Discretionary Council Tax Relief - Section 13A Policy
Considered – a report of the Corporate Director for Strategic Resources seeking approval for the policy in respect of S13A(1)(C) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for the coming financial year commencing 1st April 2023.
County Councillor Gareth Dadd introduced the report confirming the proposed policy introduced a standard approach to awarding reductions in Council Tax liability for individuals leaving the care system, which, whilst possible to award under existing policies within the Districts and Boroughs, were not individually identified as a specific class of recipient.
County Councillor Janet Sanderson welcomed the changes in regard to Care Leavers, and it was noted that the proposal together with other council tax proposals previously endorsed by the Executive, would be presented together to Full Council for approval ahead of 1st April 2023.
The Executive agreed to note the contents of the report, and it was
Resolved – That: i. It be recommended Full Council approve the implementation of the S13A(1)(C) policy, as attached at Appendix A of the report, with effect from 1st April 2023; ii. Authority to grant relief under the Policy be delegated to the S151 Officer.
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The UK Shared Prosperity Fund Delivery Framework
Considered – A report of the Corporate Director for Strategic Resources outlining progress on the development and management of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in North Yorkshire, which provided further detail of the recently announced Rural England Prosperity Fund, and sought approval for a UK Shared Prosperity Fund Delivery Framework in North Yorkshire, in order to progress delivery of the fund in the current financial year and to begin commissioning of the programmes within it.
County Councillor Carl Les introduced the report, and Mark Kibblewhite, Senior NYCC Policy Officer provided an overview of the work undertaken to date to progress delivery of the Government’s UKSPF prospectus in North Yorkshire and to draft a Delivery Framework detailing the deployment and delivery of the UKSPF with input from the Local Partnership Group.
County Councillor Derek Bastiman welcomed the report and the capital funding from the UKSPF.
County Councillor Simon Myers recognised the opportunities the funding would bring to address rural housing and broaden the cultural uptake across the county.
It was noted the UKSPF could be used to support local initiatives and it was
Resolved – That: i. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund Delivery Framework be approved, including the proposals to deliver the UK SPF in North Yorkshire through Council and LEP services. ii. The ongoing work to delivery year 1 of the Shared Prosperity Fund as outlined in the report and the attached Delivery Framework be approved. iii. The UK Shared Prosperity Funding of £16.9m from the UK Government, covering the period up to March 2025 be accepted subject to the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic approving the terms of the finalised funding agreement. iv. The preparation and approval of funding agreements with recipients be delegated to the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic in consultation with the Corporate Director Business and Environmental Services
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Director of Public Health Annual Report - Learning from Covid-19
Considered – A report of the Director of Public Health presenting her Annual Report 2021-2022: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
County Councillor Michael Harrison introduced the report confirming it was also due to be considered by the Care & Independence Overview & Scrutiny Committee in December 2022.
Louise Wallace, Director of Public Health noted the 2021/22 report looked at the wider issues associated with the impact of Covid-19 and confirmed the impact of the pandemic would become clearer over coming months and would be reported in future next annual reports. She also thanked all the contributors to the report and noted the public’s positive contribution to supporting their communities through the pandemic.
Executive Members welcomed the report. County Councillor Simon Myers confirmed it spoke well of the strengths of North Yorkshire communities, and identified areas where lessons could be learnt.
County Councillor Gareth Dadd confirmed he had received positive feedback on the online sexual health service, which suggested it was working well.
County Councillor Paul Haslam suggested future reports should have a greater focus on nutrition.
Executive Members thanked the Director of Public Health for her very comprehensive report and it was
Resolved: That the Annual Report for 2021-22 be noted.
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Section 24 consent for the sale of a former indoor swimming pool site in Scarborough
Resolved – That the report seeking Section 24 consent for the sale of a former indoor swimming pool site in Scarborough be withdrawn.
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Section 24 Consent for Appointment of preferred contractor for Harrogate Convention Centre Redevelopment Project
Considered – A report of the Corporate Director for Strategic Resources seeking consideration of a request from Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) to grant Section 24 consent to HBC to award a contract, at an estimated cost of £3.3m, to the preferred contractor for the development of the design, price and programme for Phase 1 works at the Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) to progress technical design to the end of RIBA stage 4.
Gary Fielding, Corporate Director for Strategic Resources introduced the report confirming the request from HBC breached the financial threshold and therefore required Section 24 consent.
Wallace Sampson, Chief Executive of Harrogate Borough Council thanked NYCC officers and the Executive for the time they had taken to get up to speed on the project, noting the project had been under consideration for several years. He also
County Councillor Gareth Dadd thanked NYCC and HBC officers for their work to date concerning the redevelopment plans for Harrogate Convention Centre, noting its contribution to the local and wider economy.
Executive Members agreed to move into private session to consider the information contained within the exempt appendices to the report, and it was subsequently
Resolved – That consent be granted under Section 24 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 to enable Harrogate Borough Council to appoint a contractor in order to take the redevelopment of the Harrogate Convention Centre to RIBA stage 4.
The public meeting concluded at 11:40am.
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Forward Plan
Considered –
The Forward Plan for the period 17 October 2022 to 31 October 2023 was presented.
Resolved - That the Forward Plan be noted.
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The meeting concluded at 12.15 pm.