NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

15 July 2026

STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR OPEN TO BUSINESS

Economic Development, Regeneration, Tourism & Skills

Economy

Since my last update, 124 business support visits have been completed across North Yorkshire. These are building a clear picture of current pressures and opportunities, particularly around recruitment, growth and investment. 

 

We are also developing targeted support with partners for the maritime and renewable energy sectors, helping businesses connect and access new opportunities.

We are working with the Department for Work and Pensions and partners on jobs fairs in Stokesley and Thirsk. These will help businesses fill vacancies and give residents direct access to employment opportunities. 

Regeneration

Town Investment Plans

In May Richmond became the first town to launch its draft Town Investment Plan which generated many positive comments from residents and stakeholders.  Comments will now be considered ahead of the publication of the final plan.  It is anticipated that four other towns will reach this milestone over the summer. As part of the programme, colleagues are working with stakeholders to bring early projects into delivery.  £1.250 million has been confirmed from the YNYCA Capital High Street Fund for council-led projects in five towns, plus communities have benefitted from Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Funding.  

Pride in Place

Following MHCLG’s acceptance of the investment plan and NYC Executive approval, colleagues are working with sponsors to initiate the projects and get Grant agreements in place.  These projects focus on the regeneration of the high street, environmental improvements and community health and wellbeing.  

As part of the Sprucing Up Scarborough project, a pilot has been set up for High Street Rental Auction powers.  The area of interest has been designated and engagement with property owners is complete.

Scarborough and Whitby Town Deal projects

In Scarborough the first phase of the Cinder Track Junctions project is now complete.  The work included surface improvements, better signage and environmental work.  The team are now working with the community on further improvements. 

Two projects in Whitby have reached a significant milestone this quarter with the main works contract for the Maritime Hub and the restoration of the Old Town Hall now complete.  Both projects now are moving on towards fit-out ready for operation

Selby Regeneration
The majority of the Improvements to Selby Market Place have been completed this quarter providing improved facilities for the market and other events.  Just across the road, repairs and maintenance of the park is underway, ahead of a refresh of the area.  Work of the designs for access improvements has also started. 

Tourism

The third Visit North Yorkshire Advisory Group meeting has taken place. Businesses reviewed progress against the Destination Management Plan and shared current trading conditions. Visitor numbers are holding up in many areas, but spend remains under pressure, particularly on food, drink and retail.

 

The Local Visitor Economy Partnership Board met in Pickering. We welcomed VisitBritain’s Global Marketing Director and showcased the strength of North Yorkshire’s visitor economy.

This is a key trading period for many destinations. The There’s More to North Yorkshire campaign is now live, with outdoor advertising at major rail stations in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Birmingham.

 

We are also supporting the Tour of Britain, Scarborough 400 and Visit England’s coastal campaign, My Coast Has the Most. Together, these provide strong opportunities to promote North Yorkshire through the summer and support businesses at a critical time.

Planning Policy & Place

Executive has approved a new timetable for the preparation of the North Yorkshire Local Plan, reflecting the Government’s new plan-making system. While the process and stages of plan preparation will change, the substantial work already completed will continue to inform the new Local Plan and will not be lost. Importantly, the anticipated adoption date remains 2029. Further information is available on the Council’s website and briefing sessions for parish, town and city councils will be held later in July to explain the new system and programme in more detail.

The Local Plan Call for Sites exercise has generated more than 2,000 sites submitted to date. Details of submitted sites are available on the Council’s dedicated Call for Sites webpage. A further Call for Sites exercise is currently underway to ensure all potential development opportunities can be considered as part of the plan-making process.

The Minerals and Waste Joint Plan will also require review to align with the new planning framework. Officers are currently developing a proposed timetable for this work, which will be presented to Executive later in the year.

The Government is expected to publish a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) this summer, introducing a range of significant changes that will influence future policy development and plan preparation.

Alongside Local Plans, a new strategic planning tier known as a Spatial Development Strategy will be prepared by Combined Authorities. Officers have already begun working proactively with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to explore opportunities for joint evidence gathering and strategic planning. A collaborative working agreement has now been signed by all participating authorities, providing a framework for joint commissioning and partnership working.

The Council remains committed to supporting neighbourhood planning across North Yorkshire. Changes introduced through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act affecting the assessment of neighbourhood plans have required additional consideration of several plans currently in progress. As a result, the Knaresborough and Terrington Neighbourhood Plans, both of which have completed independent examination, have been temporarily paused pending further assessment.

Officers are working closely with the qualifying bodies, independent examiners and other relevant organisations to determine the appropriate next steps. Similar considerations are also required for the Bradley Neighbourhood Plan, which is currently at examination stage. Officers are also reviewing how these legislative changes will be addressed in future neighbourhood plan submissions.

Up and coming submission consultations are identified for Tadcaster, Kirkby Malzeard and Husthwaite and potentially Whitby. We also have a new area designation with Bishop Monkton. 

Planning Delivery & Infrastructure

In terms of strategic site delivery, good progress continues to be made. A Masterplan Framework for the Maltkiln new settlement was agreed by Executive on 17 March 2026. It will be used to guide more detailed planning work and become a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

An outline planning application for Maltkiln has been submitted to the Council and is likely to be considered by the Council’s Strategic Planning Committee later this year. Officers are also continuing to work with support from ATLAS (the Government’s Advisory Team working on the New Homes Accelerator programme) on the delivery of 2,500 homes at South Cayton and good progress is being made on master planning work. 

Building Control

It’s pleasing to report that, following a further recent recruitment campaign, the Council’s Building Control service will be back up to full staffing levels from next month and in a much better position to be able to offer a robust service to our service users. This follows a challenging period where our staff capacity fell as low as 50%. We are grateful to customers for their patience and understanding during this challenging time, and to the staff who have worked hard to keep the service going under difficult circumstances over the last year.

We are proactively preparing for the implementation of the new national Building Safety Levy which comes into force on 1 October 2026. NYC will become a collecting authority for the levy that is payable on some residential developments that are built within our area.  Having the correct systems and processes in place will be critical to the collection of this levy and central government will be providing a new burdens fund to allow for resources to be put in place prior to the implementation. There’ll also be further funding in the form of a retention of part of the collected levy that can be used to fund the processing of the levy while it remains in place.

Harbours

Port & Marine Facilities Safety Code

The Council’s compliance with the Port & Marine Facilities Safety Code was certified in March 2026 and a report presented to the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee in June 2026.

Dredging

A short visit to Scarborough harbour has been completed to remove a sandbank that had appeared in the harbour entrance.

The dredger is now back in Whitby harbour continuing its dredging campaign over the summer.

The statutory harbour authority is in the process of applying for a variation to the Whitby dredging licence to remove/vary a condition imposed on an exclusion area adjacent to Endeavour Wharf.

Scarborough West Pier Pile Repairs

The works are largely complete and the contractor has demobilised his compound. A return visit is being scheduled  to complete the final grouting works.

Harbour Strategy

The harbour strategy was adopted at Executive at its meeting in June 2026. The ten year Strategy aligns with the Council Plan and provides a framework to ensure that harbour users, local communities and key stakeholders understand the Council’s ambitions and priorities for the immediate and longer term future.

Whitby Whale Bones

An order has been placed with a company to manufacture the replacement bronze whalebones. The existing Arch will remain in place for the Summer season until at least 1 September and the new bronze Arch should be erected in the first quarter of 2027, although this may be sooner depending on progress. The existing bones will be gifted to York University for academic research and a small part of them will be given to Whitby Town Council for display.

COUNCILLOR MARK CRANE