North Yorkshire Council

Executive

16 December 2025

North Yorkshire Capital Growth Priorities

Report of the Corporate Director for Community Development

1.0       PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1       To outline the proposed pipeline of North Yorkshire Capital Growth Priorities, to feed into strategic work with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and seek Executive approval of the proposed approach.

2.0       SUMMARY

2.1       The following paper identifies a potential pipeline of capital growth projects across several Council Directorates that deliver against the strategic objectives of both the North Yorkshire Council (NYC) Council Plan and the Economic Growth Strategy, and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNY CA) Growth Plan.  

2.2       Without a pipeline of projects, NYC and North Yorkshire more widely, are at risk of not being in a position to take advantage of future funding opportunities.

3.0 BACKGROUND

3.1 The North Yorkshire Council Plan 2025-2029 sets out a corporate vision based around four key themes:

· Support thriving places and empowered communities that live, work, visit and do business in North Yorkshire:

· Develop more sustainable and connected places across North Yorkshire;

· Ensure the people of North Yorkshire are safe, healthy and living well; and

· Maximise the potential of North Yorkshire’s people and communities.

A large number of priority work areas identified in the Council Plan relate to the delivery of economic growth (homes and jobs) within North Yorkshire and the importance of appropriate infrastructure to support future growth at a place-based level.

3.2 Since Local Government Reorganisation, there have been significant levels of legislative, strategic and structural change in relation to the national and regional approach to delivery of economic growth (homes and jobs) – most notably the expanding role for Combined Authorities through increased devolution of powers and funding to regions.  

3.3 The establishment of a York and North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (YNYCA) in 2024 has brought about significant changes to the strategic, funding and operational context within which we now operate.  There is an increasing need for North Yorkshire Council (NYC) to work proactively and collaboratively with the YNYCA to ensure that our evidence base, strategies and priorities for economic growth in North Yorkshire are positively aligned (where possible) and to ensure clarity of roles and effectiveness of delivery mechanisms, and to maximise future funding opportunities and positive economic benefits for our area.

3.4 Given the above outlined context, consideration must be given to how best to achieve the Council vision with the potential support of both public and private sector investment. 

4.0 STRATEGIC CONTEXT

4.1 All Combined Authorities (CA) were asked earlier this year by Government to produce a regional Growth Plan aligned to the National Industrial Strategy.  The York and North Yorkshire Growth Plan was adopted in September 2025. 

4.2 The YNYCA Growth Plan framework is summarised in Figure 1 below:    

Figure 1: YNYCA - York and North Yorkshire Growth Plan Framework
 

 4.3 The recent Autumn Budget Statement in November 2025 included a four-year funding allocation of c.£40million for York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to invest in local growth projects and delivery of the Local Growth Plan; however this contains limited capital funding.  Recent national Government economic funding announcements including the ‘Pride in Place Programme’, which provides 10-year investment to disadvantaged neighbourhoods, have been done via a direct allocations process rather than via a competitive bidding process. This resulted in a re-confirmed £20m allocation for Scarborough in Phase 1 (which supported 75 towns) but no other allocations for York and North Yorkshire towns in Phase 2 (which supported an additional 169 neighbourhoods).  It may be that future CA funding settlements are linked to Local Growth Plans in some way, but this is not yet confirmed.  What we do know is that funding will be limited and a key consideration for the CA and the Government is likely to be around understanding what local ‘investible projects’ can help enable accelerated delivery of the Growth Plan, with a particular initial focus on things that can be delivered within the next 3-4 years. 

4.4 In order to maximise investment into the region, the YNYCA are developing an Investment Framework and Strategy to inform and shape a fully developed pipeline of investible propositions, strategically aligned to the Mayor’s priorities and the Combined Authority’s Economic Framework. This approach will bring YNYCA in line with other Combined Authorities and provide government with assurance of the effective use of public investment.

5.0 PIPELINE OF CAPITAL GROWTH PRIORITIES FOR NORTH YORKSHIRE

5.1 This new strategic context brings an increasing need for North Yorkshire Council to be able to confirm and communicate an agreed pipeline of major capital economic growth priorities for North Yorkshire.  Producing and agreeing a pipeline of priority schemes will enable informed discussions with YNYCA, central Government departments, and the private sector, including feeding in to work to develop a detailed 10-Year Delivery Plan for the YNYCA Growth Plan which is scheduled for completion by Spring 2026. If a priority pipeline is not agreed by North Yorkshire Council, there is a risk that North Yorkshire could miss out on future funding opportunities, which could in turn impede delivery of local growth projects and associated economic benefits. 

5.2 Whilst prioritising our key growth projects is a necessary exercise, that is not to say that it is an easy task.  For an authority/economy/place the breadth and scale of North Yorkshire, there are inevitably a very long list of places, projects, sites and economic sectors which might require different types of support, intervention and investment to grow and thrive fully in the future.  However, in terms of access to future funding, it will be important that our priority growth projects align with the priorities and criteria set out within the emerging Investment Framework being developed by YNYCA.  This might mean that different projects will be end up progressing earlier within the prioritised list depending on the funding available and its goals.

5.3       Recognising this challenge and to help shape our own prioritisation work, it is therefore proposed that the following high-level principles be applied:

· Adopting a flexible approach that identifies a manageable number of place-based and thematic priorities but also allows the Council to be responsive to funding opportunities and other external factors as they arise (i.e. a flexible priorities ‘grid’ rather than a rigid, numerical priority list). 

· Ensuring that our priorities are evidence based and targeted at areas of greatest economic need, economic opportunity and/or scale

· Remaining mindful of project deliverability and realistic timescales, particularly for priorities being identified for the next 3-4 years (funding opportunities often require schemes to be ‘shovel ready’ not just at concept or feasibility stage)

· Acknowledging that it will be critical for the pipeline to continue to evolve over time as more evidence-based work is completed and large scale infrastructure requirements to deliver economic growth (homes and jobs) are better understood.

· Recognising that some projects have already secured Mayoral Investment Funding (MIF) to undertake business case work and/or other external grant funding/investment is already in place to support delivery of project priorities.

5.4 With these key principles applied, the following key themes are emerging as priorities for the North Yorkshire pipeline approach:

· Enabling place-based investment and regeneration projects in the areas of greatest economic need, economic opportunity and/or scale with an initial focus on the key urban centres of Scarborough, Selby, Harrogate (as the places which currently provide the best fit with the principles set out in 5.3)

· Accelerating business growth and jobs by unlocking key strategic employment allocations and sector-based opportunities includingan initial focus on sites near major transport networks e.g. A1/M62

· Housing delivery focused on accelerating and unlocking key strategic housing allocations and existing planning permissions including an initial focus on large scale allocations such as the Maltkiln new settlement.

· Delivering Strategic Transport Schemes that support and enable economic growth including an initial focus on bus network improvements and railway station developments.

5.5 As new/updated evidence emerges in the months ahead through the evidence base/development work for the North Yorkshire Local Plan, Local Transport Plan, Economic Growth Strategy,Destination Management Plan and other NYC strategies, it should be recognised that new investment projects will emerge which may have a stronger alignment/strategic fit (either geographically or thematically) and will need to be incorporated in to the priorities pipeline over time e.g. larger scale infrastructure requirements to support future housing growth.

5.6 Concurrently, 32 Town Investment Plans (TIPs) are being developed across all of North Yorkshire’s key settlements. The outcomes from these will also be able to feed in and contribute to the pipeline in future years, as appropriate, including key growth projects identified in TIPs for the urban centres detailed above. In addition, it is expected that some priority investment projects for the future pipeline may also come through the TIPs for other settlements e.g. potentially some projects from the TIPs for the Principal Service Centres (Knaresborough, Malton & Norton, Northallerton, Richmond, Ripon, Skipton, Thirsk and Whitby) may be of sufficient need/opportunity/scale to be considered in future pipeline updates, particularly where they deliver against key thematic priorities.  It is important to acknowledge that there will also be smaller scale investment projects identified through all TIPs that will be important at a local place level and that may be appropriate for future ‘in kind’ support from the regeneration team to help bring local investment forward e.g. through the development of business cases or targeted applications to other external funding organisations. 

 

5.7 Figure 2 below maps out what the geographic spread of the emerging place-based and thematic approach looks like in terms of priorities for the next 3-4 years.  This is included for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered a fully developed plan at this stage or an indication that funding will definitely be available for these projects.  NB: Longer term ambitions and priorities are not identified on the map.

Figure 2: Emerging place-based and thematic capital priorities pipeline for North Yorkshire

5.8 Figure 2 above is included in Appendix A which outlines in more detail the proposed place-based and thematic growth priorities.  This document has been prepared with input from colleagues in Community Development, Environment and Central Services directorates. 

5.9 A Place-based approach has been taken in relation to our major urban settlements of Scarborough, Harrogate and Selby followed by a number of opportunities related to key housing, transport and employment sites and schemes where accelerated activity could be beneficial and achievable within the next 3-4 years.  It should be stressed that inclusion of schemes within Appendix A does not mean that they will definitely be funded by NYC or external funding partners in the future – they are simply being identified as capital projects that could potentially help deliver future economic growth in North Yorkshire.  Funding and delivery of specific projects in the future will be subject to normal decision-making governance processes.  

6.0       CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN AND RESPONSES

6.1       Discussion of the proposed pipeline and methodology, and the need for a prioritised approach has been undertaken with senior officers and Executive Members and a report was also presented at the Transport, Economy, Environment & Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 October 2025.

7.0 CONTRIBUTION TO COUNCIL PRIORITIES

7.1 Delivery of activity based around the proposed pipeline of projects will contribute to all four of the key themes identified within the 2025 to 2029 Council Plan:

· Support thriving places and empowered communities that live, work, visit and do business in North Yorkshire;

· Develop more sustainable and connected places across North Yorkshire;

· Ensure the people of North Yorkshire are safe, healthy and living well; and

· Maximise the potential of North Yorkshire’s people and communities.

8.0 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

8.1 In terms of developing a pipeline of place-based and thematic priorities, no other alternative approach was considered due to the need for NYC to be able to clearly articulate where action needs to be focused in the short to medium term. 

9.0       IMPACT ON OTHER SERVICES/ORGANISATIONS

9.1 The proposed project pipeline has been developed in discussion with services from across the Council.  The recommended decision relates to an agreed approach of prioritisation only, it does not commit the Council or its services to any new financial commitments at this time.  As and when projects progress through the pipeline, separate reports will be brought forward in the normal way to enable consideration of project impacts for services.

9.2 As the proposed pipeline is in relation to NYC project delivery and not withstanding that many of the schemes will be developed and delivered with a range of public and private sector partners, there is not anticipated to be any negative impact on any other organisations resulting from this report or decision.

10.0     FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

10.1     There are no expected financial implications as a direct result of this report or decision as no funds are being sought for delivery at this time.  Financial advice and input will always be sought within the development and delivery phases of any project to be delivered from the pipeline.

11.0     LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

11.1 There are no legal implications as a direct result of this report or decision.  Legal advice and input will always be sought within the development and delivery phases of any project to be delivered from the pipeline.

12.0     EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

12.1     An Equalities Impact Assessment Initial Screening form has been completed and there are considered to be no impacts on equalities as a result of this report.  See Appendix B.

13.0     CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS

13.1     A Climate Change Impact Assessment has been completed and no positive or negative impact on climate change are expected as a result of this report.  See Appendix C.

14.0     PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

14.1     There are no expected performance implications as a result of this report or decision.

15.0     POLICY IMPLICATIONS

15.1     There are no expected policy implications as a result of this report or decision.

16.0     RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

16.1     There are no expected risks as a result of this report or decision, and therefore no risk management is required.

17.0     HUMAN RESOURCES IMPLICATIONS

17.1     There are no expected human resources implications as a result of this report or decision.

18.0     ICT IMPLICATIONS

18.1     There are no expected ICT implications as a result of this report or decision.

19.0     COMMUNITY SAFETY IMPLICATIONS

19.1     There are no expected community safety implications as a result of this report or decision.

20.0 CONCLUSIONS

20.1     It is important for NYC to be able to clearly and effectively articulate its priorities to the Combined Authority and various government departments and work through these channels to secure much needed external funding to see activity through to delivery which will result in positive outcomes for North Yorkshire residents and businesses.

20.2     In order to provide focus and direction in the short to medium term, clarity around a project pipeline will ensure that internal resources both human and financial are deployed in the most effective manner to achieve outcomes that positively contribute to the 2025 – 2029 Council Plan.

21.0     REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

21.1     To establish a shared investment pipeline for North Yorkshire that can support targeted engagement and discussion with the Combined Authority and other partners.

22.0

RECOMMENDATIONS

22.1 22.2

To approve the proposed methodology outlined above and the emerging place-based and thematic projects identified in Figure 2, and at Appendix A with a view to establishing a formal capital growth project pipeline for North Yorkshire. To endorse work by officers to both develop any projects on the pipeline, and to utilise this pipeline in helping to shape conversations around future funding opportunities with the YNY Combined Authority and other private and public sector partners.

            APPENDICES:

Appendix A – Pipeline of Capital Growth Priorities

Appendix B – Equality Impact Assessment

            Appendix C – Climate Impact Assessment

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:

None

Nic Harne

Corporate Director – Community Development

County Hall

Northallerton

26 November 2025

Report Author – Kathryn Daly           

Presenter of Report – Kathryn Daly, Assistant Director of Place-Shaping & Growth

Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or questions.