Full Council
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 20 May 2026 commencing at 10.30 am.
Councillor George Jabbour in the Chair. Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Alyson Baker, Philip Barrett, Derek Bastiman, Philip Broadbank, Eric Broadbent, Barbara Brodigan, Andy Brown, Lindsay Burr MBE, John Cattanach, David Chance, Liz Colling, Mark Crane, Sam Cross, Gareth Dadd, Melanie Davis, Caroline Dickinson, Stephanie Duckett, Keane Duncan, Kevin Foster, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Paul Haslam, Robert Heseltine, David Hugill, David Ireton, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Mike Jordan, Peter Lacey, Andrew Lee, Carl Les, Cliff Lunn, John Mann, Steve Mason, Rich Maw, John McCartney, Heather Moorhouse, Andrew Murday, Simon Myers, David Noland, Bob Packham, Andy Paraskos, Stuart Parsons, Yvonne Peacock, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Kirsty Poskitt, Jack Proud, John Ritchie, Janet Sanderson, Mike Schofield, Karin Sedgwick, Tom Seston, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Dan Sladden, Monika Slater, Andy Solloway, David Staveley, Neil Swannick, Roberta Swiers, Malcolm Taylor, Angus Thompson, Andrew Timothy, Phil Trumper, Matt Walker, Arnold Warneken, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass.
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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274 |
To elect a Chair of the Council to serve until the May 2027 AGM
It was moved and seconded that Councillor David Chance be elected Chair of the Council to serve until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2027.
A vote was taken and the motion declared carried with 78 votes for and 6 abstentions.
Resolved
That Councillor David Chance is elected Chair of the Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2027.
Councillor David Chance then made his declaration of acceptance of office of Chair of the Council and thanked the Council for his appointment.
Councillor David Chance in the Chair
The Chair moved a vote of thanks to Councillor George Jabbour, which was passed. Councillor Jabbour then addressed the Council.
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275 |
Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2026
It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the quarterly meeting of the Council held on 18 March 2026 having been printed and circulated, were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried.
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276 |
Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Karl Arthur, Nick Brown, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Nathan Hull and Nigel Knapton.
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277 |
To elect a Vice-Chair of the Council to serve until the May 2027 AGM
It was moved and seconded that Councillor John Ritchie be elected Vice-Chair of the Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2027.
A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 76 votes for and 8 abstentions.
Resolved
That Councillor John Ritchie is elected Vice-Chair of the Council, to serve until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2027.
Councillor John Ritchie then made his declaration of acceptance of office of Chair of the Council and thanked Council for his appointment.
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278 |
Declarations of Interest
Declarations of interest were made as follows:
Councillor Gareth Dadd in relation to the second homes premium, for which he had been granted a dispensation enabling him to take part.
Councillors Carl Les and Gareth Dadd at Minute 284 as they were Members of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Councillor Yvonne Peacock at Minute 282 as she was a Member of the Upper Dales Community Transport Partnership Board and Minute 287 as she was a library volunteer.
Councillor Philip Broadbank at Minute 287 as he was Chair of Starbeck Library but would remain in the meeting was this was not a paid position.
Councillor Mike Jordan at Minute 287 as his wife was a volunteer at Sherburn Library.
Councillor Bob Packham at Minute 287 as he was a library volunteer and Chair of the Library Management Group.
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279 |
Chair's Announcements
The Chair welcomed the Honorary Aldermen and members of the public and press who were present.
The Chair informed Members of the usual arrangements for the meeting.
The Chair noted the recent deaths of former County Councillors Ken Dale and Sheila Marshall OBE, and also former Scarborough Councillor Dorothy Clegg and former Scarborough Borough Councillor and County Councillor Joe Plant.
A minute’s silence was held in memory of former Councillors Ken Dale, Sheila Marshall, Dorothy Clegg and Joe Plant.
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280 |
Statement by the Leader of the Council
The Leader, Councillor Carl Les, made a statement and answered questions under Council Procedure Rule 2.3 as Leader of the Council, a summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 17 and 18 of the agenda pack and in the Minute Book at pages 5719 to 5720.
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281 |
Public Questions or Statements
There were no public questions or statements.
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282 |
Notices of Motion
The Chair informed Members that there was one notice of motion on the agenda: Supporting and Strengthening Community Transport. The Chair was required to give a ruling on whether motions should be debated at the meeting or referred to the Scrutiny Board to determine which committee was the most appropriate to consider the matter.
The Chair determined that the motion be referred to the Scrutiny Board
The Chair reminded Members that when considering notices of motion where a motion had been referred to the Scrutiny Board by the Chair the mover of that motion could move ‘that the motion be considered now’ and a vote taken.
282(1) Supporting and Strengthening Community Transport
Council notes that Community Transport provides essential, flexible, and locally responsive services across North Yorkshire, supporting independence, wellbeing, and social inclusion - particularly for older residents, disabled people and those experiencing isolation. It enables access to healthcare, education, employment, and social opportunities, and contributes to safer travel for all.
Provision varies across the county, with some communities experiencing limited or inconsistent access. Community Transport is most effective when community led, place based and supported through strong partnership working, with the Council acting in an enabling role. There is an opportunity to improve the consistency, visibility, and coordination of support across North Yorkshire, alongside wider regional transport work.
Council therefore resolves to:
1. Request a report setting out the current Community Transport landscape across North Yorkshire, including: · existing schemes and coverage · current forms of Council support · links with health, social care, and other partners · alignment with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority · gaps, inconsistencies, or barriers to sustainability.
2. Ask officers to outline options for a strengthened Community Transport support framework, including: · improved coordination and information sharing · enhanced visibility of existing schemes · volunteer recruitment and retention · access to funding and external opportunities. · the potential role of commissioning or procurement, where appropriate
3. Work with partners, including the Combined Authority, Integrated Care Board, and community organisations, to ensure Community Transport is appropriately reflected in emerging transport plans and pilots.
4. Establish a cross sector Working Group comprising elected Members, relevant Council officers and representatives from the Community Transport sector and partner organisations, to support coordination, share best practice and shape proportionate, locally responsive recommendations. 5. Report back to the relevant committee within 6–12 months with findings and recommendations that build on existing work and avoid duplication.
Impact considerations This motion is not expected to create significant new cost pressures, but rather to strengthen understanding, coordination, and the effectiveness of existing activity. It also recognises North Yorkshire Council’s previous investment in Community Transport, ensuring that this valuable foundation is not lost but brought back into the current conversation - linking past initiatives with emerging approaches to shared and demand responsive transport, and maximising social value through collaboration and community benefit.
As mentioned, this motion has been viewed and discussed by officers prior to submission, ensuring alignment with current workstreams and that proposals complement existing commitments.
In aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it reinforces the Council’s commitment to fair, inclusive, and sustainable transport - contributing locally to global objectives for climate action, equality, wellbeing, and partnership working.
I feel it supports: · Climate objectives (SDG 13 – Climate Action) by encouraging shared and demand responsive transport, reducing reliance on private car use · Equality and rural inclusion (SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities; SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities) by addressing disparities in access to transport · Health and wellbeing (SDG 3 – Good Health and Well Being) through improved access to services and reduced isolation · Local economic participation (SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth) by supporting access to employment and services · Social value and community transport (SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals) by building on existing community led transport initiatives and ensuring investment delivers wider public benefit.
Proposer – Councillor Hannah Gostlow Seconder – Councillor Peter Lacey
It was moved by Councillor Hannah Gostlow and seconded by Councillor Peter Lacey that the motion be considered now.
On a vote being taken on moving to the vote on the motion, 28 members voted for the motion and 56 members voted against. The motion therefore fell.
The motion was therefore referred to the Scrutiny Board to determine the most appropriate overview and scrutiny committee to consider the matter and make recommendations to the next meeting of Council.
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283 |
Notice of Motion - Supporting Area Committee decision making
Council was requested to consider the recommendation of the Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee following consideration of a Notice of Motion which had been referred from the Council meeting on 12 November 2025. The recommendations of that Committee were set out at page 19 of the agenda and were that:
The Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommends that the Notice of Motion concerning support for Area Committee decision making be referred to the Member Working Group on the Constitution for their consideration.
The motion was moved by Councillor Andrew Williams and seconded by Councillor David Ireton.
Th mover of the original motion, Councillor Peter Lacey, then referred to the Leader’s commitment to establish a working group to review how Area Committees were working, and withdrew the original Motion.
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284 |
To consider the report and recommendations of the Executive and make decisions on them
The Executive had recommended four matters to Council for a decision, which were:
(i) Library Strategy Mid-Term Review and National Year of Reading (ii) Council Plan 2026-2030 (iii) Amendments to the Council’s Constitution
These decisions were considered as separate items at Minutes 287, 285 and 286.
(iv) Highway Maintenance Capital Funding 26/27 to 29/30
The recommendation at page 25 of the agenda pack (page 5727 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
On a vote being taken the motion was declared carried with 75 members voting for the motion, 9 voting against and there were no abstentions.
Resolved
That Council urges the Mayoral Combined Authority and Mayor to reconsider their decision on Highway Maintenance Capital Funding 26/27 to 29/30 and consult with North Yorkshire Council on the Highways Capital Funding proposals as detailed within the report.
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285 |
Council Plan 2026-2030
The recommendations at page 27 of the agenda pack (page 5729 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
On a vote being taken the motion was declared carried with 61 votes for the motion, 20 against and there were 3 abstentions.
Resolved
That Council approve the Council Plan 2026 – 2030.
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286 |
Amendments to the Council's Constitution
The recommendations at page 91 of the agenda pack (page 5793 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
On a vote being taken the motion was declared carried unanimously.
Resolved - that
(a) The management of amendments at meetings of full Council, as referenced in section 4.0 of the report and at Appendix A;
(b) The process for the cancelling or postponing of a committee meeting at a time after the summons for the meeting has been issued, as referenced in section 5.0 of the report and at Appendix A;
(c) The Terms of Reference for the Chief Officers Appointments and Disciplinary Committee and Sub-Committee and the Staff Employment Procedure Rules and clarification of the process for approving Chief Officer appointments, as referenced in section 6.0 of the report and at Appendix B;
(d) The removal of the reference to the Local Transport Plan in the Policy Framework in Article 4 of the Constitution, as detailed at section 7.0 of the report;
(e) The Terms of Reference for the Audit Committee and Pension Board, as detailed at section 8.0 of the report and at Appendix 1;
(f) The Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules (PCPR) and the: 1) Procurement Financial Thresholds; 2) the Key Decision Limit; and 3) the Grant Application and Acceptance Process., as detailed at section 9.0 of the report and at Appendices 2 to 7.
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287 |
Library Strategy Mid-Term Review and National Year of Reading
The recommendations at page 261 of the agenda pack (page 5963 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
On a vote being taken the motion was declared carried with 83 members voting for the motion and one abstention.
Resolved – that
(a) The Mid-term Review of the Library Strategy be approved for publication on the North Yorkshire Council website
(b) The wording of the National Year of Reading Pledge be approved.
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288 |
To consider the Annual Report and recommendations of the Standards and Governance Committee 2026-2027
The recommendations at page 283 of the agenda pack (page 5985 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
As Council were asked to note the report no vote was taken.
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289 |
Annual Report of the Young People's Champion
The Annual Report of the Young People’s Member Champion at pages 291 to 298 (pages 5993 to 6000 of the Minute Book) was received and noted.
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290 |
Annual Report of the Older People's Champion
The Annual Report of the Older People’s Champion at pages 299 to 308 (pages 6001 to 6010 of the Minute Book) was received and noted.
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291 |
Annual Report of the Climate Change Champion
The Annual Report of the Climate Change Champion at pages 309 to 312 (pages 6011 to 6014 of the Minute Book) was received and noted.
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292 |
Appointments to Committees and Outside Bodies and Appointment to Committees which the Council agrees, with no member voting against, to appoint or constitute without regards to political proportionality:- Hearings Panel of the Standards Committee and General Licensing Sub-committee
The recommendations at page 316 of the agenda pack (page 6018 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
Resolved
(1) That Council confirms appointments to the following committees:
(On a vote being taken the appointments were approved unanimously)
(a) Pension Board Re appointment for four years of Emma Barbery (Askham Bryan College) as an Employer Representative. Re appointment for four years of Simon Purcell (Unison) as a Scheme Member Representative.
(b) Pension Fund Committee Appointment of Neil Braham (Unison) to one of the Union Representative vacancies on the Pension Fund Committee.
(c) Health and Wellbeing Board Integrated Care Board appointments: Removed – Amanda Bloor (Chief Operating Officer, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board) Removed – Mark Bradley (North Yorkshire Place Director, Humber & North Yorkshire Health & Care Partnership) Added – Lisa Pope (Deputy Place Director, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board).
Other appointments: Removed – Jill Quinn (Chief Executive of Dementia Forward (Voluntary Sector Representative)) Removed – Zoe Campbell (Managing Director, North Yorkshire, York and Selby Care Group, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (Mental Health Trust Representative)) Removed – Mike Padgham (Chief Executive, Independent Care Group (Care Providers Representative)) Added – Dena Dalton (Deputy Chief Executive, Community First Yorkshire) Added – Naomi Lonergan (Interim Managing Director (North Yorkshire, York and Selby), Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust) Added – Garry Mackay (Deputy Chief Fire Officer, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue) Added – John Pattinson (Chief Executive, Independent Care Group)
(d) Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee The existing North Yorkshire Independent vacancy to be gifted to Councillor Liz Colling (Labour).
(e) York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
(2) That Council confirms the process for appointment of the Hearings Panel of the Standards and Governance Committee and panels of the General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee which shall be without regard to political proportionality.
(On a vote being taken the appointments were approved unanimously)
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293 |
Appointments to Committees according to political proportionality
The recommendations at page 322 of the agenda pack (page 6026 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.
Resolved
(1) Chair of General Licensing and Registration Committee and Chair of Statutory Licensing Committee There were two nominations for the position of Chair. On a vote being taken 41 members voted for Councillor Derek Bastiman, 34 voted for Councillor Kevin Foster and there were 2 abstentions.
Councillor Derek Bastiman was therefore appointed Chair and Councillor Kevin Foster was appointed Vice-Chair of both the General Licensing .and Registration Sub-Committee and the Statutory Licensing Committee.
(2) Appointments to committees were made as below:
(a) Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor David Ireton (Conservative and Independents) to stand down and Councillor Mike Jordan (Reform UK) to be appointed
(b) Strategic Planning Committee Councillor Tom Jones (Conservative and Independents) to stand down and Councillor Karl Arthur (Reform UK) to be appointed
(c) Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor Alyson Baker to be appointed to the Conservative and Independents vacancy
(d) General Licensing and Registration Committee Councillor David Jeffels to be appointed to the Conservative and Independents vacancy
(e) Statutory Licensing Committee Councillor David Jeffels to be appointed to the Conservative and Independents vacancy
(f) North Yorkshire Moors National Park Authority Reform UK offer the seat allocated to them to the Conservative and Independents, as such there is no change to membership
(g) North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel Councillor Heather Moorhouse (Conservative and Independents) to stand down and Councillor Janet Jefferson (NY Independent) to be appointed
Conservatives and Independents offer a vacant seat on the Police, Fire and Crime Panel to Reform UK. Councillor Tim Grogan (Reform UK) to be appointed.
(h) General Licensing and Registration Committee Councillor Mike Jordan to stand down and Councillor Tim Gorgan to be appointed (Reform UK)
(i) Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor Karl Arthur to stand down and Councillor Tim Grogan to be appointed (Reform UK)
(84 members voted for the motion, none against and there were 3 abstentions)
At 12:55 pm the Chair adjourned the meeting for lunch
The meeting reconvened at 1:46 pm
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294 |
Statements of Executive Members and Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees
The written statements of Executive Members and Chairs of the Scrutiny Board and the Overview and Scrutiny Committees having been previously circulated were noted.
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294(a) |
Executive Member for Children and Families - Councillor Janet Sanderson
Councillor Janet Sanderson, Executive Member for Children and Families, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 329 – 332 of the agenda pack and pages 6033 to 6035 of the Minute Book.
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294(b) |
Executive Member for Managing our Environment - Councillor Richard Foster
Councillor Richard Foster, Executive Member for Managing our Environment, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 333 – 335 of the agenda pack and pages 6037 to 6039 of the Minute Book.
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294(c) |
Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills - Councillor Annabel Wilkinson
Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 337 – 340 of the agenda pack and pages 6041 to 6042 of the Minute Book.
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294(d) |
Executive Member for Finance and Assets - Councillor Gareth Dadd
Councillor Gareth Dadd, Executive Member for Finance and Assets, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 341 – 343 of the agenda pack and pages 6045 to 6047 of the Minute Book.
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294(e) |
Executive Member for Open to Business - Councillor Mark Crane
Councillor Mark Crane, Executive Member for Open to Business, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 345 – 347 of the agenda pack and pages 6049 to 6051 of the Minute Book.
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294(f) |
Executive Member for Corporate Services - Councillor Heather Phillips
Councillor Heather Phillips, Executive Member for Corporate Services, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 349 – 354 of the agenda pack and pages 6053 to 6048 of the Minute Book.
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294(g) |
Executive Member for Highways and Transportation - Councillor Malcolm Taylor
Councillor Malcolm Taylor, Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 355 - 358 of the agenda pack and pages 6059 to 6062 of the Minute Book.
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294(h) |
Executive Member for Health and Adult Services - Councillor Michael Harrison
Councillor Michael Harrison, Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 359 - 360 of the agenda pack and pages 6063 to 6064 of the Minute Book.
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294(i) |
Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing - Councillor Simon Myers
Councillor Simon Myers, Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 361 - 364 of the agenda pack and pages 6065 to 6068 of the Minute Book.
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294(j) |
Scrutiny Board (Chair: Councillor Karin Sedgwick)
The written statement of Councillor Karin Sedgwick having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 365 of the agenda pack and pages 6069 of the Minute Book.
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294(k) |
Scrutiny of Health (Chair: Councillor Andrew Lee)
The written statement of Councillor Andrew Lee having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 367 to 368 of the agenda pack and pages 6071 to 6072 of the Minute Book. The Chair of the Scrutiny of Health Committee then answered questions.
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294(l) |
Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair: Councillor David Staveley)
The written statement of Councillor David Staveley having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 369 to 372 of the agenda pack and pages 6073 to 6076 of the Minute Book.
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294(m) |
Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair: Councillor Caroline Goodrick)
The written statement of Councillor Caroline Goodrick having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 373 of the agenda pack and pages 6077 of the Minute Book.
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294(n) |
Housing and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair: Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright)
The written statement of Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 375 of the agenda pack and pages 6079 of the Minute Book.
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294(o) |
Care and Independence Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair: Councillor Barbara Brodigan)
The written statement of Councillor Barbara Brodigan having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 377 of the agenda pack and pages 6081 of the Minute Book.
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294(p) |
Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair: Councillor Andrew Williams)
The written statement of Councillor Andrew Williams having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 379 to 380 of the agenda pack and pages 6083 to 6084 of the Minute Book.
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295 |
Use of special urgency procedures since the last meeting of Council - Report of the Leader
The report on the Use of Special Urgency Procedures since the last meeting of the Council on 18 March 2026 was considered and the recommendation at page 384 of the agenda pack (page 6088 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.
Resolved
That Council receives and notes the report.
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296 |
Council Procedure Rule 10 Questions
There were no Council Procedure Rule 10 questions.
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The meeting concluded at 2.57 pm.