North Yorkshire Council
Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee
21 March 2025
AC Economic Development, Regeneration, Tourism and Transport Project Development Fund Update – March 2025
Report of the Corporate Director of Community Development
1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 To provide an update on the projects endorsed by the committee and outline next steps.
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 At the meeting of North Yorkshire County Council on 22 February 2023 (Council Minute 83p), in respect of the 2023/24 Revenue Budget for North Yorkshire Council, it was resolved that, “£50k be provided annually for each Area Constituency Committee to commission works they feel appropriate for their local area”.
2.2 Six Projects have been endorsed by the committee, and this report provides an update on all of them.
3.0 Financial overview
|
Project |
Allocation |
Actual spend (rounded) |
|
Offshore Economic Opportunities |
£20,000 |
£13,900 |
|
Sea Gull nesting towns |
£14,000 |
£12,900 |
|
Sea Pool |
£20,000 |
£22,000 |
|
Scarborough 400 |
£10,500 |
£8,900 |
|
Active travel/social prescribing |
£15,500 |
£12,000 |
|
Coastal Engineering |
£20,000 |
£20,000 |
|
Total |
£100,000 |
£89,700 |
4.1 Coastal Access at Cayton Bay
4.1.1 Project now complete, new steps are in situ and operating as expected.
4.2 Offshore Economic Opportunities
4.2.1 Project content completed, pending document design and foreword. Following an initial period of desk-based research and reviewing previous work undertaken, a comprehensive stakeholder engagement exercise took place in the final months of 2024. This covered a wide range of local and national stakeholders. This was undertaken through a range of interviews, to complement and challenge the initial findings of our desk-based research. Based on this primary and secondary research, a draft report was taken forward for a critical review.
4.2.2 Following a procurement exercise, A2 Maritime – a company that contains both maritime engineering and maritime economist expertise - were appointed to critically review the report. Their brief was to examine and test our findings. This included, but was not limited to, identifying shortfalls or gaps, advising on whether the findings were accurate and reasonable, and considering additional opportunities and challenges.
4.2.3 The review took place in two stages. An initial set of questions, clarifications and formatting notes to create a ‘review ready’ report. This updated report enabled a full and detailed review of our methodology and findings.
4.2.4 The review confirmed that the findings were sound. It led to a great deal of additional clarity in the communication of the constraints within the geography and additional narrative on the economic context for the report. Overall, the review meant that aspects the narrative were made broader and many aspects of the action plan became more specific and focussed.
4.2.5 The final report has now been drafted and is awaiting a foreword to be written by A2 Maritime, it will then undergo a document design process.
4.3 Active Travel Social Prescribing Pilot Project.
4.3.1 This project has now been branded ‘TravelWell’ and is almost complete. The objective was to create an interactive online training course for NYC health workers to prescribe and deliver active travel interventions for residents to improve health and wellbeing.
4.3.2 The training content has been completed, and the training team are currently developing further content. The findings will be published to committee and handed to the relevant department for delivery.
4.4 Scarborough 400
4.4.1 Project progressing well and partially funded by AC funding. The objective of the project was to support scoping and feasibility of the development of interpretation around the original Spa pump, located adjacent to Scarborough Spa venue entrance. This supports background development for a larger Scarborough 400 commemorative project.
4.4.2 Several contractors were procured allowing for the pump site to be drained, a 3d scan to be undertaken to provide scoping options, and a public consultation to be commissioned, which is still ongoing. The scoping will provide the necessary background details and information needed to make a judgement on the nature and scale of the heritage interpretation that can be developed at the site. This feasibility will inform and steer the heritage interpretation work which will take place as part of the Scarborough 400 project.
4.5 Sea bird nesting
4.5.1 Following preliminary discussions with the RSBP and University of Exeter, as part of the urban gull working group, a freelance ornithologist was appointed to provide a feasibility study. Working closely with a working group consisting of NYC officers and the Urban Gull Working Group.
4.5.2 The objectives centred on the use of nesting towers to mitigate the loss of nesting sites and whether this could lead to a more sustainable management of guano within the town. The study focussed on the Grand Hotel, as it is the most significant Kittiwake nesting location in the town.
4.5.3 The report recommends a suitable location for an Artificial Nesting Structure to be erected which would solve some of the current issues around guano and nesting. However, nesting structures can take several years to be effective. The report and its findings will be published to committee and the project will be handed over to the relevant department.
4.6 Safe Sea Swimming
4.6.1 Project nearly complete, and a draft report has been issued. The objective of the project was to identify the feasibility of increasing the safe sea swimming offer in Scarborough. Studio Octopi, a team of outdoor swimming architecture specialists were appointed for the study.
4.6.2 Out of three possible sites, a location near the Spa was the only viable one based on a site selector matrix. A topographical study was also commissioned to ensure the site was feasible, and the combined tidal range and beach
4.6.3 An emerging CIC was engaged throughout the project and may play a vital role in driving the project forward on a sustainable basis. The draft study outlined an opportunity for a tidal pool to be erected on South Bay beach, near Children’s Corner and the Spa Colonnades. The findings will be published to the committee and built into future activity for the Town Investment Plan.
5.0 Next steps
5.1 The work undertaken to date will be used as part of the evidence base for the Town Investment Plans.
5.2 A full ‘reports bundle’ will be compiled in April and shared with members of the committee. This will provide space for the contents to be properly digested and considered.
5.3 The process outlined below will progress the work package:
· Completed work and reports given to committee members as a ‘reports package’ in April.
· A members briefing will be delivered in May once members have had the opportunity to read the reports.
· The reports are published through the AC Committee in the summer, with a formal endorsement if this is seen as appropriate.
Nic Harne
Corporate Director – Community Development
County Hall
Northallerton
13 March 2025
Report Author – Eddie Caverhill – Regeneration Officer
Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or question
Appendix: Project Photos
Coastal Access
Safe Sea Swimming
TravelWell
