North Yorkshire Council
Executive
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 3 February 2026 commencing at 11.00 am.
Councillor Carl Les in the Chair. Councillors Mark Crane, Gareth Dadd, Richard Foster, Michael Harrison, Simon Myers, Heather Phillips, Janet Sanderson, Malcolm Taylor and Annabel Wilkinson.
Officers present: Richard Flinton, Karl Battersby, El Mayhew, Gary Fielding, Barry Khan, Daniel Harry, Elizabeth Jackson, Jo Ireland, Anton Hodge and David Ashbridge.
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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838 |
Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
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839 |
Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 January 2026
Resolved
That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2026, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chair as a correct record.
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840 |
Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
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841 |
Public Questions and Statements
There were no public questions or statements.
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842 |
Review of the Public Convenience Service
The Leader, Councillor Carl Les, advised that the final report of the Public Conveniences Working Group had only been considered by the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee the previous week. The committee had made some amendments to the recommendations of the Working Group, which had been circulated to members of Executive in advance of the meeting. It was therefore agreed that the report be deferred to enable further consideration of the amended recommendations.
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843 |
Active North Yorkshire Membership and Pricing Review
Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Community Development setting out proposals for the new approach to membership and pricing for Active North Yorkshire (ANY), including recommendations on the implementation process.
The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, introduced the report and thanked officers for their work to establish a transparent, equitable and sustainable pricing structure across the county following local government reorganisation. The review placed greater emphasis on health and wellbeing, improving accessibility to leisure services and supporting partnership work with the health sector. He acknowledged that there were disparities in prices and stated that while the long‑term ambition was a single countywide model, harmonisation at this stage would lead to steep increases for some areas. A phased approach was therefore proposed, with a two‑tier structure reflecting past investment in facilities at Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon. It was confirmed that existing commitments such as formal “price for life” memberships would be honoured to avoid undue hardship. Customer feedback received during consultation included support for removing 12‑month fixed contracts and there would be increased flexibility through the offer of monthly memberships.
The Executive Member responded to a question about proposed increases in the Selby area, noting that the Tadcaster gym was smaller, had fewer facilities and lacked a pool, yet fell within the same tier as Selby. It was explained that the membership offered multi‑site access, including to Selby, and that forthcoming new equipment and wider access meant that overall customers would be better served by the proposed structure. The Executive Member confirmed that the Council did not make a profit from leisure services and that the pricing review formed part of a wider investment strategy across the leisure estate and referred to proposals for an on-demand digital and healthcare offer. Recent correspondence from a resident about historic police and fire service concessionary rates at Thirsk prior to LGR was noted, though it was confirmed that such discounts could not be replicated as they were significantly more generous than any other concession offered.
Resolved (unanimously)
That approval is granted to implement a new pricing structure for Active North Yorkshire as set out in this report, specifically this includes:
i) Implementation of a phased approach to pricing consistency with an initial implementation of a two-tier pricing structure as set out above. ii) Removal of fixed term contracts to improve flexibility and accessibility and in response to customer feedback. iii) Implementation of a new concession scheme, including senior concession to state pension age (currently 66, increasing to 67 in 2026). iv) Approval of the principles of introducing on demand fitness and healthcare services, subject to further costs/benefit analysis and procurement. v) Approval of the proposed learn to swim pricing model, maintaining free access to public swimming as part of the offer. vi) Approval of the measures to mitigate significant price increases and honour existing agreements for existing customers between 60-65 who receive an age-based concession, current gym only memberships at Harrogate and formal price for life agreements at Harrogate.
Reasons for recommendations
The recommendations aim to maintain current income levels while unlocking greater commercial potential for significant growth. They support the planned works outlined in the Leisure Investment Strategy, enabling the service to maximise commercial performance and achieve projected income targets linked to these investments. Additionally, they seek to establish a fair, consistent, and more equitable membership structure across all sites, while creating clear pathways for all customer types to encourage more people to start and continue being active. Positioning ANY as a health and wellbeing service rather than just a traditional leisure provider will strengthen its appeal, and simplifying marketing through targeted campaigns for specific user groups will enhance engagement and drive participation.
Alternative options considered
A range of alternative options have been considered. Supporting services and management team have had oversight and the proposal has been reviewed at Overview and Scrutiny on the 1 December 2025.
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844 |
Appointments to Committees and Outside Bodies
Considered – A report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services in relation to a vacancy on the Ouse and Derwent Internal Drainage Board.
Resolved
That the Executive appoints Parish Councillor Richard Daniel, from Stillingfleet Parish Council to the Ouse and Derwent Internal Drainage Board.
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845 |
Forward Plan
Considered – The Forward Plan for the period 23 January 2026 to 31 January 2027 was presented.
Resolved
That the Forward Plan be noted.
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846 |
Date of Next Meeting - 17 February 2026 (Performance Monitoring)
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The meeting concluded at 11.24 am.