North Yorkshire Council
Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on Friday, 19 September 2025 commencing at 10.00 am.
Councillor David Chance (Vice-Chair in the Chair) and Councillors David Chance, Eric Broadbent, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Rich Maw, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, John Ritchie, Tom Seston, Subash Sharma, Neil Swannick, Roberta Swiers and Phil Trumper.
Officers present: Chris Bourne, St John Harris and Matt Hewison
Other attendees: Alison Hume MP and David Skaith (Mayor of York and North Yorkshire)
Apologies: Councillors Liz Colling and Derek Bastiman.
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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Apologies for absence
Councillor Derek Bastiman and the Chair, Councillor Liz Colling
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Minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2025
Resolved
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2025, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
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Declarations of interest
Councillor Trumper declared an interest in Minute Item 162 as the petition organiser; however, he had not reached a pre-determined position on the matter.
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Feedback from previous meetings - Chair's report
The Chair shared an update on the replacement of the Community Football Pitch at Scarborough Sports Village from the Assistant Director: Culture, Leisure, Archives & Libraries: ‘We continue to work with Wilmott Dixon and a range of specialists in relation to the preferred technical option. You may be aware there have recently been some additional bore holes and soil samples taken. We are now working on analysing the results of these and finalising the solution and the programme for this and we should be able to give more information about the details of this early next month. Yorkshire Water are also currently undertaking works to clear identified blockages in their section of pipework. This is a complex process but I can reassure that the assurances previously given about the timescales remain and we are all working to ensure that football can resume on the pitch as quickly as possible. We will update further once we have finalised the programme for the works.’
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Public participation
There were six public questions and statements submitted to the committee. Questions 3 to 6 were considered at Minute 161 – Whitby Cliff Lift and access to Whitby West Cliff beach. Vivienne Wright, Dorothy Russell, and Cllr Linda Wild were not present at the meeting.
1. Cllr Chris Clark
I would like to raise my concern that North Yorkshire Council has lost focus on dealing with Scarborough’s Long Term Empty Homes problem and it is affecting where I live. Can the council tell us how many empty properties there are in our area with the latest information? The latest publicly easily searchable information is 5 years old.
Reply
Thank you for contacting us about empty homes in the Scarborough and Whitby area. Empty homes complaints are being dealt with on a reactive basis. As I’m sure you are aware, we are still in the process of aligning ways of working across the previous boroughs/districts to provide a consistent approach across North Yorkshire. We have begun a piece of work to establish the current landscape of empty properties across North Yorkshire and looking at how they have been dealt with historically in each area. This piece of work will help us to establish how we will work consistently across the county moving forward. As part of this, we will be looking into how many empty homes there are across the county. Once this piece of work has been concluded we will be able to update you. We anticipate that it will take around 6 months. As part of this, we will establish what information we are able to make publicly available.
Complaints about the condition of empty properties can be sent to privatehousingstandards@northyorks.gov.uk for investigation by the Housing Standards team.
Supplementary question
Councils that are bringing their empty homes back into use have highlighted the roles of two or three empty homes officers. Could I ask what plans North Yorkshire Council may have to introduce this vital role?
Reply
The Corporate Director Community Development is looking at this issue. North Yorkshire Council inherited the housing stocks of three former district councils. Much work is being done to address repair backlogs and empty units but the aim is to return homes to occupation as quickly as possible.
2. Vivienne Wright
I write on behalf of many Whitby residents.
May I first remind councillors of the stated purpose of area committees: "To improve the quality of life for people in their area by acting as a ‘critical friend’ to policy makers and decision makers, enabling the voice and concerns of the public to be heard and driving improvements in public services."
We want the area committee to adhere to this purpose by arranging meetings in Whitby on a regular basis, or at least when the agenda includes an item regarding an issue in Whitby. It is not acceptable to shelve it away in the work programme file where it can be conveniently ignored. We do not accept the reasons stated in the minutes. Residents have a democratic right to be able to attend such important meetings in their own town, this is the only time they are able to voice concerns or approval of decisions direct to councillors without having to travel to Scarborough. There are venues which have suitable disabled access and parking, although we advocate against using those which are sited in busy pay and display car parks such as the Leisure Centre or in the town centre.
Portable loop systems are available as are microphone systems, and now that the internet service has been upgraded your IT technicians must be able to advise you on how this live-streaming can be achieved. Commercial businesses can livestream events, why can’t NYC?
If the committee is unable to livestream then so be it, they must still hold regular meetings in the town, we will not be held to ransom because of a technical issue which in this technical age should easily be solved.
Reply
This issue has now been considered by the leadership of the council and by the Chair and Vice-Chair and group spokespersons at the recent mid cycle briefing of the committee.
The agreed proposal is to hold one meeting of the area committee per year at Whitby Pavilion. For technical reasons, the meeting will not be livestreamed nor will remote attendance be possible; however an audio recording will be later uploaded to the council website.
The date scheduled for the area committee is Friday, 20 March 2026. However, the Whitby Pavilion is not available on that date. It is therefore proposed, subject to the agreement of the area committee, to hold the meeting a few days later on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. Same start time of 10am.
The committee then discussed this reply. It was noted that some members had prior commitments on 24 March. It was therefore agreed to find an alternative date when Whitby Pavilion would be free in that period. It was further noted that the committee had already resolved that every other meeting be held in Whitby and so it was decided to adhere to this resolution commencing from the meeting in March 2026 (date to be confirmed).
3. Dorothy Russell
I feel very strongly that Whitby Cliff Lift should be repaired. It is part of the heritage of the town and without it, the town becomes much smaller. Without access to the sea wall you are discriminating against the disabled, elderly and the young families who either live or visit our beautiful town. The paths down to the beach are steep and uneven and not ideal for young children and the older generation who may have mobility needs. The cliffs have very steep sides and any fall could be fatal. I,myself, along with many local people have rented a beach hut for decades. Our children grew up on the beach, but as I have had a knee replacement I find the steep paths very scary. Many of the beach hut renter's haven't been able to access their huts as a result of the cliff lift being out of action. The replacement bus has not been advertised at all and therefore has not been used very much. We need our lift repairing ASAP and ask that you find the money please.
4. Cllr Linda Wild
Following on from my question at the last meeting of the Area Committee, can NYC please confirm although they have issued a statement, that the Cliff Lift in Whitby is to be filled in and no replacement will be made due to £5.5million cost that they have explored all possible scenarios? This seemed like a done deal that the lift would not be replaced or repaired, from the time NYC took over from Scarborough Council.
NYC have not updated the public on the status of Anglo American involvement in the inspection/investigation into the real state of the shaft and lift. The community of Whitby do not accept your decision to ‘dispose’ of this valuable asset to Whitby and seek assurances that all other avenues are looked into to save the lift and that no rash actions will be taken to fill in the lift. Can this assurance be given to the people of Whitby? Thank you.
Reply
No decision has been made in respect of the cliff lift in Whitby. The decision making body is the Executive of North Yorkshire Council.
On the agenda today is a full report which sets out all the options available. The report also includes the advice received from Anglo American.
The Area Committee will be considering the report and will be making comments to the Executive for them to take into account in making their future decision.
5. Cllr Sandra Turner
Will the members of this committee, who collectively represent the residents of both Whitby and Scarborough, vote against the recommendation to permanently close Whitby Cliff Lift, and release reports with a view to resolve to finding a solution to enable Whitby Cliff Lift become operational again in the near future?
Reply
The committee will reach a position at the end of this debate on which of the five options or otherwise in the officer report we resolve to endorse. The final decision will be for the Executive.
6. Elizabeth Mulheran
Scarborough’s Local Plan 2017 policy DEC 5 states: ‘Proposals affecting a Conservation Area should preserve and enhance its character or appearance.’ The upper building of the Cliff Lift is in Whitby’s Conservation Area. How does this proposal preserve the character of the West Cliff when it is removing an iconic structure and why is there no mention in your report that you are proposing works in a Conservation Area?
Reply
No decision has been made in respect of the cliff lift in Whitby, and in particular the upper building.
When the Executive of North Yorkshire Council make a decision, then subsequent to that, if works are required that affect the top building these will form part of a planning application that will be decided by the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee. Any planning application will set out the merits or demerits of any works to the top station including effects on the conservation area and the application will be subject to a statutory public consultation before any decision is made.
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Annual Update - David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire
Mayor Skaith provided an overview to the committee of the work of the Combined Authority and how it benefited the constituency area whilst addressing a series of pre-submitted questions by the committee. Mr Skaith echoed the MP’s gratitude to the firefighters, council, farmers and other volunteers involved in containing the Langdale Moor fire. Although combined authorities were not part of the Local Resilience Forum, he and his Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Jo Coles would be involved in the recovery phase, making sure any learnings were identified. Introducing his work, he noted the unique rural and coastal nature of York and North Yorkshire, which provided the opportunity to showcase how the Combined Authority could deliver the investments and improvements that places like Scarborough, Whitby and other coastal towns needed. He referred to his joint work with the South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Mayors to attract rail investment into the region. Mr Skaith summed up his chief priority for the region to support the creation of healthy, thriving communities where people were resilient, connected to opportunities and living in warm, affordable homes. The Mayoral Investment Fund would unlock some £540m over the next 30 years including the £10m High Street Fund already launched. Scarborough was already benefiting from this investment through the Combined Authority’s work with the Stephen Joseph Theatre and local shop owners. Mr Skaith also referred to the investment to drive innovation in adult skills and learning, and to help businesses grow and export their products. The region was one of the first places in the country to take part in a pilot on franchising rural bus services. Both the £1.3m Community Building Fund and the Net Zero Fund had already benefited buildings in the constituency area. Some other initiatives were the new Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England to scale up existing collaborative working and unlock significant housing and regeneration plans for the region, the ten year Growth Plan, the first Police and Crime and Fire and Rescue Plans, significant early intervention and prevention work to tackle crime, the first Local Transport Plan and the record £50m investment in adult learning and skills to help skill young people aligned to the needs of local industry. Turning to the pre-submitted questions, Mayor Skaith referred to:
In the ensuing discussion with members, Mr Skaith further advised that:
The Chair thanked Mayor Skaith for his attendance and for his responses to members’ questions.
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Attendance of MP Alison Hume
Ms Hume provided an overview to the committee of some of her areas of work, concerns and priorities. She was pleased to report that her fully staffed constituency office was now open on Northway, Scarborough and in the last six months over 4000 cases had been opened. During the same period Ms Hume had held eight advice surgeries in Scarborough, Whitby and the villages and public meetings on the New Homes Accelerator development in Cayton, heather burning, and the drilling proposals by Europa Oil and Gas in Burniston. Ms Hume then referred to Langdale Moor Fire when as the local MP she was called upon to assist and provide information to worried constituents. She praised the efforts of the council, fire service, farmers, gamekeepers, landowners and other volunteers in containing the blaze, but as a lesson learned, felt a dedicated phone line for the public should have been provided as she had suggested. She was also concerned about the impact on public health of the fire because of dangerous airborne particulates, whilst noting the council’s advice to close doors and windows in affected areas. Further, Ms Hume would be pursuing with the Government whether this incident was the trigger for a national resilience response because of the proximity to the fire of the critical military facility at RAF Fylingdales. She welcomed the local GoFundMe page which had raised about £75,000 for people affected by the incident but queried how the Government should assist farmers through the emergency funding package proposed. Ms Hume applauded the recent additional restrictions placed on heather burning by the Government (the new maximum height of heather of 30cm). In respect of the proppant squeeze planning application in Burniston, she would be holding another public meeting on this matter to gauge constituents’ views and would continue to press the Government to include this form of mining in the fracking moratorium. Finally, Ms Hume was pleased to report that her campaign to get cellular data smart hubs rolled out in the constituency had been successful thanks to a change in government licences. Following this introduction, the issues raised by elected members and discussed with the MP included:
The Chair thanked Alison Hume MP for her attendance and her responses to members’ questions.
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Whitby Cliff Lift and access to Whitby West Cliff beach
Considered a report of the Corporate Director of Environment which set out the findings of a public consultation into the Whitby Cliff lift replacement bus service and outlined the options to be presented to Executive for the future of the Whitby Cliff Lift for the Area Committee’s comments.
The questions / statements of Dorothy Russell, Cllr Linda Wild, Cllr Sandra Turner and Elizabeth Mulheran were presented to the committee and replies given as appropriate (see Minute 158 above).
Introducing the report, the Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Head, Chris Bourne reminded the meeting that the Cliff Lift had been closed since April 2022 when corrosion was discovered in its structure. Since the closure the borough and then unitary council had run a free subsidised bus service over the summer to replace the lift. A steady increase in water ingress had caused increasing corrosion of the lift structure. This deterioration had led the council to commission a report by Align Property Services to undertake a feasibility assessment to determine long-term options that would effectively address the lift’s growing maintenance needs while ensuring the continued safety and serviceability of the lift and tunnel structures. The Align report complemented a 2020 Scarborough Borough Council report which included a preventative maintenance schedule to bring the lift back into working order and a report by Anglo American plc following their inspection of the structure in the summer. The findings were largely the same across the three reports. All agreed that the lift could be repaired but there was a difference of view on the source and extent of the water ingress. A factor to be considered was that the two reports from Scarborough Borough Council and Align Property Services were prepared in January, and the report by Anglo American was prepared in June. The season therefore may have contributed to the extent of the water ingress. All the surveys recommended that to address the water ingress problem, further monitoring and surveys were required to take account of seasonal variations and other factors. Members were further advised that there was little point in repairing the lift without tackling the water ingress issue. The final report to the Executive would include a detailed Equalities Impact Assessment to ensure the council complied with its public sector equality duty. Turning to the next item on the agenda (Receipt of petition in support of the preservation of Whitby Cliff Lift) which was considered concurrently, Councillor Trumper introduced the following petition: ‘Whitby Cliff Lift is a critical asset for our beloved town, a lifeline for many residents and visitors alike. It stands as an important bridge, allowing individuals, particularly those with disabilities, to access the beautiful beach facilities that are otherwise challenging to reach. The lift symbolises inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of physical ability, can enjoy the stunning coastline of Whitby.
This iconic structure has served our community for decades, but now faces potential closure due to funding constraints and a lack of maintenance. Its existence is not just an amenity but a necessity for numerous people whose lives and leisurely pursuits depend on it. The Whitby Cliff Lift is more than just a means of transportation; it’s a part of our town’s charm and historical fabric, cherished by locals and tourists alike.
Statistics show that there's a significant number of people with mobility issues in Whitby and its surrounding areas who rely on this lift for their seaside experiences. Closing it without an acceptable alternative would mean taking away their ability to fully enjoy our natural resources. It's crucial to act swiftly and collectively to preserve this essential service for future generations.
It's time to come together as a community to protect a staple of our town's heritage and ensure access for all. Let's not let a lack of resources dictate the well-being of our community members. By signing this petition, you are supporting the preservation of the Whitby Cliff Lift and promoting equal access to our beautiful beach for everyone, no matter their physical abilities. Let's strive to keep Whitby inclusive and accessible. Please sign this petition to show your support for keeping the Whitby Cliff Lift operational.’
Councillor Trumper noted the strength of support for the petition, the failure to implement a Traffic Regulation Order on Whitby Sea Wall in part because the Cliff lift was not operating and queried why it would be so expensive to return the lift to operation (this option in the report had been costed at some £6m). This figure needed to be checked. He therefore proposed that the Area Committee:
Councillor Swannick seconded this proposal. The Chair and other members of the committee also voiced their support for the proposal adding the following points:
Resolved that the Area Committee:
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Receipt of petition in support of the preservation of Whitby Cliff Lift
See Minute 161 above.
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Playing Pitch Strategy / Built Sports Facilities Strategy and Leisure Investment Strategy - update
Considered a presentation by Matt Hewison, Head of Development Active North Yorkshire which outlined progress with the preparation of the Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS), Built Sports Facilities Strategy (BSFS) and Leisure Investment Strategy. Members were advised that the PPS and BSFS provided a strategic framework to ensure that the provision of outdoor sports pitches and indoor built facilities met the needs of residents (both existing and future) and visitors to the county. The exercise provided a valuable audit of pitches and facilities as well as gauging the activity and aspirations of local teams and clubs. Preparation followed a robust methodology by Sport England which was involved throughout the process along with national governing bodies of sports. Nationally renowned management consultants Knight, Kavanagh and Page had been commissioned in August to produce the two new strategies. The Leisure Investment Strategy set the strategic context for the investment of more than £40m to improve and modernise leisure centres across the county. Four centres including Whitby Leisure Centre would share £36m to become flagship Active Wellbeing Hubs. In reply to their questions and comments, members were advised that: · In respect of the cessation of Scarborough and District Minor Football League, because of a lack of structure in most of the age groups the league took the positive decision to join York Junior Football League. Active North Yorkshire, in partnership with the North Riding County FA are trying to address this issue by the recruitment of a Football Development Officer for the Scarborough area. There may also be an opportunity to collaborate with the York Junior Football League on this development. · The decision on the future investment of Whitby Leisure Centre was very positive and would help the site to provide a wellbeing hub and further its participation offer. · In respect of the future of the Hawkes Health leisure facility on the proposed site of the new Scalby School, Active North Yorkshire promoted the community use of school facilities. Mr Hewison was happy to explore the options with Hawkes Health. Resolved that the presentation be received.
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Scarborough & Whitby Area Committee Work Programme 2025/26
Considered the latest draft of the committee’s work programme for 2025-26.
Following discussion, the Chair confirmed the following topics for consideration by the committee (to be discussed at the next mid cycle briefing):
Resolved that the work programme be noted.
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Any other items
There was no urgent business.
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Date of next meeting
28 November 2025
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The meeting concluded at 1.14 pm.