North Yorkshire Council
Executive
6 January 2026
Area Committee Feedback Report
Report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services
|
1.0
1.1
|
PURPOSE OF REPORT
To bring to the attention of the Executive key issues considered at recent meetings of the Area Committees (ACs). |
2.0 HARROGATE AND KNARESBOROUGH AC – 27 NOVEMBER 2025
2.1 The Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Committee met on 27 November 2025 to consider updates on air quality, active travel, and links to local Parish Sector Organisations. Members noted progress in air quality management, including the revocation of several Air Quality Management Areas and plans for a council-wide strategy by 2027. Discussion highlighted links to climate change, monitoring improvements, and the need for continued multi-agency collaboration. An update on parish liaison and local devolution allowed members to explore how NYC communicated with parish sector organisations. In addition, attendance by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce gave valuable insight into the challenges faced by businesses in Harrogate, which were noted in the context of the emerging Harrogate Town Improvement Plan.
2.2 The Committee received an update on Active Travel schemes in the areas, with officers reporting on delivery challenges and upcoming consultations for Phase 2 traffic calming schemes. Members stressed the urgency of implementing measures in areas such as Harlow Hill, Pannal Ash, and Hookstone, given housing growth and safety concerns. Updates were provided on wider projects, including the Bilton to Hornbeam Park cycle route and Wetherby Road junction improvements. Members, and the public through a series of statements, raised concerns over implementation delays, policy barriers, and the absence of a dedicated active travel team, which officers confirmed would be established next year.
2.3 Further information about the meeting can be found here:
3.0 SKIPTON AND RIPON AC – 4 DECEMBER 2025
3.1 Sir Julian Smith MP provided an update to the Committee regarding Constituency issues including adult social care, potential tourist tax, impacts of Government Policy on local economy, issues of concern regarding the overspend on Kex Gill.
3.2 Members were informed of the progress made in developing investment plans for key settlements within the Skipton and Ripon area through the North Yorkshire Town Investment Plan (TIP) programme and were presented with proposed schemes for consideration for grant funding through the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s ‘Emerging Project Fund’. Members noted the progress made in developing Town Investment Plans within the Skipton and Ripon area and endorsed the proposed schemes to (a) enhance a section of the canal towpath in Skipton, and (b) improve the marketplace in Ripon for consideration as part of the Council’s package of projects for submission to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority for grant funding through the Town Investment Plan Emerging Project Fund.
3.3 The Area Committee was provided with an update on the proposed Wyvern Link Road, Skipton. Members were requested to note the progress in completing phase one to improve vehicle access to Engine Shed Lane and construction of an industrial estate standard road on Ings Lane, note that there was no budget to deliver phase two other than £90k for design development and note that an updated business case would be required to inform decisions on future funding for delivery.
Members submitted the following motion in respect of this item:-
That the Executive be recommended to consider the existing business case for the delivery of phase 2 of the Wyvern Link road and to identify funding for the delivery this much needed project, within the next 6 months.
3.4 Members were updated on the review of the Nidderdale Greenway Extension feasibility study, including revised key metrics, an updated assessment of scheme viability, and proposed next steps. There was some disappointment expressed regarding the negativity of the report and the lack of consultation undertaken with the Sub-group that had been formed to consider this matter. Members agreed that further consideration be given to identifying possible funding, via the Combined Authority and the Executive, for the development of the project, with feedback submitted to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee.
3.5 Members were provided with an overview of housing need, provision, strategy and interventions in the Committee’s area which was noted.
3.6 Further information about the meeting can be found here:
4.0 SCARBOROUGH AND WHITBY AC – 28 NOVEMBER 2025
4.1 The committee received two public questions: one about future parking charges to be levied by the council for the annual Scarborough Pride event, and the other seeking a progress report on the replacement of the Whalebones in Whitby.
4.2 Alison Hume MP delivered a wide-ranging update to the committee on her areas of work, concerns and priorities. These included her ongoing dialogue with Mecca bingo and the Bingo Association to ensure Mecca replaced their recently closed bingo hall in Scarborough; pressing the Government for greater clarity on fracking, particularly that the fracking moratorium be extended to all forms of fracking including proppant squeeze associated with the Burniston drill site planning application which was of such concern to constituents; lobbying the Government to reinstate care for stroke patients at Scarborough Hospital; ensuring that farmers and businesses affected by the Langdale Moor wildfire received adequate compensation in the same way as for flooding incidents and that any similar event in future would trigger a national resilience response because of the critical military infrastructure in the locality; and the inadequate NHS response to the flooding of Eastfield Medical Centre which had been out of use since the summer.
4.3 The committee considered a petition seeking a reduction of the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on New Bridge, Whitby because of serious concerns about road safety on the bridge, particularly for children walking to nearby schools. The committee noted the petition and recommended to the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation that in light of the urgency of this matter an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order be introduced for New Bridge, Whitby reducing the speed limit from 40mph to 20 mph and that during the 18 month period of the ETRO the necessary consultations and other work be undertaken to make the change in speed limit permanent.
4.4 The Director of Public Health provided her annual update to the committee about health in coastal communities. Members were informed about the greater challenges affecting the constituency and their health impacts, for example, the older age profile and lower life expectancy than the rest of North Yorkshire and England, the greater deprivation, the higher unemployment rates, and the higher proportion of physically inactive adults, but also the coast’s considerable natural assets and the many opportunities to make interventions to improve people’s lives. Such opportunities included the extensive work with children and young people (e.g. new healthy lifestyles programme for early years), health protection (e.g. Scarborough Inequalities (Screening and Immunisation) Group), the Living Well Smokefree service, the new Movement Activity & Sport Fund launched in October and the new Healthy You Service delivered by the Active North Yorkshire team which encouraged clients to eat more healthily and take more exercise.
4.5 Lastly, the committee received the annual rural crime report from North Yorkshire Police which showed that overall rural crime was on the decline, a trend since 2020.
4.6 In respect of the work programme, the committee agreed to hold a special meeting about sea bathing water quality in early 2026 principally to consider the findings of a consolidated report by the Environment Agency and Professor Darren Grocke of Durham University investigating sources of pollution in our local bathing waters.
4.7 Further information about the meeting can be found here:
5.0 THIRSK AND MALTON AC – 5 DECEMBER 2025
5.1 The Committee received one public question related to the proposed tourism tax and whether the Council had been consulted by the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire. The Head of Tourism provided a response
5.2 Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP supplied a written update, which was circulated with the agenda.
Kevin Hollinrake MP attended the meeting in person. Key issues discussed included:
· The proposed tourism tax
· Solar farm developments on agricultural land
· Dualling of A64 – The MP assured the committee of his continued support for dualling the A64
· Home to school transport
· Second homes premium
· Funding for the Filey town bus service
· Agricultural Property Relief
· Small Business Saturday
5.3 The Committee received a presentation from James Koppert (Youth Voice Creative Engagement Officer) on the current position and future development of youth councils across North Yorkshire.
5.4 Officers gave a presentation which described the differences between Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (S106 and CIL), the two types of developer contributions. This followed an information item circulated with the agenda for the meeting held on 26 September 2025, when Councillors asked for more details on the process.
5.5 Information items on GP surgeries, business banking services and quiet lanes were circulated with the agenda
5.6 Members considered the Committee’s work programme for the remainder of the municipal year.
Following discussion, Members agreed the following additions to the programme.
a) That youth engagement be added to the Committee’s work programme for further consideration, including potential funding options and partnership opportunities.
b) Items 9a, 9b and 9c were considered and Members requested that data on other GP surgeries within the Committee area were added to Item 9a.
c) That a representative of the Integrated Care Board be invited to a future meeting of the Committee.
d) That an officer from the Transport Planning team be invited to a future meeting of the Committee to advise on quiet lanes and work with Members to identify possible sites within the Committee area.
e) Further investigation on streetworks permits, road works/closures etc
5.7 Further information about the meeting may be found here:
6.0 RICHMOND (YORKS) AC – 10 NOVEMBER 2025
6.1 The Committee received three public questions. Two were concerned with the bus service provided by Arriva and were considered during the item below. The third requested the Committee’ support to review the decision not to open a banking hub in Stokesley. The Committee agreed to support any request to review the decision.
6.2 The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak submitted a written update to the Committee.
6.3 Representatives from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Trust presented a report on the performance and services provided within the Richmondshire area. Further data from North East Ambulance Trust was circulated after the meeting
6.4 Representatives from Arriva attended the meeting to respond to Members previously submitted questions, the public questions submitted to the Committee and to take questions on service provision and update the Committee on the future development of the service. The Committee was grateful for the opportunity to build a positive working relationship.
6.5 Due to unforeseen circumstances, an update on Catterick Integrated Care Centre had to be postponed.
6.6 Members requested that the following matters be added to the work programme:
· The workload and resources of the Planning team serving the committee area
· Contractors adherence to the terms of Streetworks permits
· An update from Waste and Streetscene operations
6.7 Further information about the meeting may be found here:
7.0 SELBY AND AINSTY AC – 24 OCTOBER & 6 NOVEMBER 2025
7.1 On 24 October 2025, the Committee convened an additional meeting to consider road safety within the Committee’s area. This meeting was arranged in response to concerns raised by Members and the recent passing of former Councillor John Duggan. During the meeting, three public statements were received, an update was provided by Keir Mather MP, and Officers delivered a presentation that included contributions from the Corporate Director and the Executive Member. Following detailed discussion, the Committee resolved to receive similar road safety updates on at least an annual basis and requested that local Members be kept better informed on related issues. The Committee also expressed its support for the introduction of a 40mph speed limit and the installation of average speed cameras at Riccall, and requested that Officers do all they can to explore these measures.
7.2 At its meeting on 6 November 2025, the Committee received one public question concerning matters related to the Planning Department. Members agreed to add this topic to the work programme and identified a number of issues they wished to see addressed. These included the impact of development on existing infrastructure, Planning Committee site visits, officer involvement in planning decisions, and officer support during the appeal process.
7.3 The Committee also received updates on the Heart of Yorkshire Fund grants awarded by the Two Ridings Community Foundation, rail and bus transport in the area, the condition of social housing and community centres, with a specific focus on voids and repairs, queries previously raised regarding the Home to School Travel Policy, and updates from local MPs. Following in-depth discussions, all updates were noted, and comments were taken away by Officers.
7.4 Further information about the meetings can be found here:
8.0 FINANCIAL & LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
8.1 The financial and legal implications of the issues raised in this summary report are included in the reports that went to the meetings of the Area Committees in November and December 2025.
9.0 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS
9.1 The climate change implications of the issues raised in this summary report are included in the reports that went to the meetings of the Area Committees in November and December 2025.
10.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
10.1 The equalities implications of the issues raised in this summary report are included in the reports that went to the meetings of the Area Committees in November and December 2025.
11.0 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
11.1 The recommendations to the Executive have been made by the Area Committees as part of their consideration of local issues at their November and December 2025 round of committee meetings.
|
12.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
12.1 The Executive is asked to note the report and consider any matters arising from the work of the Area Committees detailed above, that merit further scrutiny, review or investigation at a county-level. |
Barry Khan
Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services
County Hall
Northallerton
Report Author:
Elizabeth Jackson – Principal Democratic Services Officer
elizabeth.jackson@northyorks.gov.uk
Background Documents:
Agenda, papers and minutes of the six Area Committee meetings in November and December 2025, which can be accessed via the following link - https://edemocracy.northyorks.gov.uk/mgListCommittees.aspx?bcr=1
Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or questions.