North Yorkshire Council
Executive
14 July 2026
Area Committee Feedback Report
Report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services
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1.0
1.1
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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 – 4 JUNE 2026
2.1 Councillors Peter Lacey and Hannah Gostlow were reappointed as Chair and Vice Chair for the 2026/27 municipal year.
2.2 The Committee heard public questions relating to road safety at the junction of the A61 and Knox Mill Lane, north of Harrogate, which was passed to officers to respond in writing.
2.3 A petition relating to the care of Knaresborough Castle, signed by thousands of residents and visitors, prompted detailed consideration of maintenance arrangements at the site. The meeting enabled officers to set out plans clearly and respond to questions, providing reassurance and greater clarity for the public and members. It was agreed that the Committee would continue to monitor issues at the site, including reviewing the Maintenance Plan once finalised.
2.4 The Committee received the annual Community Safety and CCTV update, outlining priorities, crime trends and partnership activity, supported by the Neighbourhood Policing Team. Discussion focused briefly on local concerns such as anti-social behaviour, rural crime and policing visibility. The item enabled the Committee to provide local oversight of community safety and ensure that delivery reflects residents’ needs, while reinforcing its role as a link between communities and strategic partners.
2.5 An update was received on the development of Town Investment Plans, including emerging priorities and ongoing engagement. Discussion focussed on project prioritisation and alignment with local needs. It was agreed that officers would continue to engage with the Area Committee alongside community stakeholders, to ensure a final plan which would be community driven.
2.6 The Committee considered a report on resetting public realm services following reorganisation, including street cleansing and related functions. Members provided focused feedback on local service standards, responsiveness and visibility, helping to scrutinise service delivery at a local level. This item was in response to specific concerns raised by local members, and allowed the committee to provide feedback to ensure the service is meeting community expectation.
2.7 Further information about the meeting can be found here:
3.0 SKIPTON AND RIPON AC – 4 JUNE 2026
3.1 As this was the first meeting of the 2026/27 municipal year, Councillor Robert Heseltine was elected Chair of the Committee and Councillor Andy Solloway was elected Vice-Chair for the forthcoming year.
3.2 Members received an update from the Community Safety and CCTV Team, which provided an overview of the Community Safety Hubs, CCTV provision across the area, and the work of the wider Community Safety Partnership. Representatives from North Yorkshire Police were also in attendance and provided an operational policing update. During the discussion, Members raised concerns regarding obstructive and dangerous parking in popular tourist destinations and beauty spots, including Stainforth, highlighting the risks posed to emergency vehicle access. Members called for stronger enforcement measures to address these issues. Positive feedback was also received regarding the installation of temporary CCTV at Skipton Bus Station.
3.3 The Committee received an update from the Resilience and Emergencies Service, including an overview of incidents affecting emergency planning and business continuity across the Skipton and Ripon area. Discussions covered a range of emerging and longer term risks, including flooding, wildfires, the effects of prolonged dry weather, food and water security, and increasing threat levels.
3.4 Following a request from the Committee, Members received a detailed update on residential and nursing care provision within Skipton and Ripon, including an overview of Ashfield, the Council owned care home in Skipton. Discussion focussed on the growing demand for care home places, particularly as people are living longer with dementia and with increasingly complex care needs. Members were advised that work is ongoing to support the upskilling and development of the care workforce to meet these challenges.
3.5 A written update was received from Skipton Youth Council. In addition, as he was unable to attend the meeting, the Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith MP also provided a written update for Members. Members noted the Committee's Annual Report, which summarised the work undertaken over the past year and highlighted the Committee's key achievements and areas of focus.
3.6 Looking ahead, Members requested future updates on local bus services and funding arrangements, together with an update on Section 106 agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments.
3.7 Further information about the meeting can be found here:
Agenda for Skipton and Ripon Area Committee on Thursday, 4 June 2026, 2.00 pm | North Yorkshire Council
4.0 SCARBOROUGH AND WHITBY AC – 5 JUNE 2026
4.1 Councillors Liz Colling and Roberta Swiers were appointed Chair and Vice-Chair respectively for the 2026/27 municipal year.
4.2 Public questions focused on the prolonged closure of Danger Bank (Glen Esk Road) and community engagement in local decision-making. Members were advised that further land slippage had delayed repair works until at least 2027, whilst the committee highlighted its role in enabling local people and organisations to influence council decisions through questions, petitions and scrutiny activity.
4.3 The committee received an update from Alison Hume MP covering constituency casework, parliamentary activity and government initiatives affecting the area, including Mission Coastal, SEND reform, second homes, short-term lets and support for rural and coastal communities. Members also discussed stroke services, unadopted roads, fracking and home-to-school transport.
4.4 Members considered the annual report on compliance with the Port and Marine Safety Code. Following extensive work to update safety systems and appoint an independent Designated Person, North Yorkshire Council achieved full compliance and a maximum assessment score of 10 out of 10.
4.5 A detailed presentation from Yorkshire Water outlined its planned investment programme, including proposals to improve wastewater infrastructure and bathing water quality in Scarborough and Whitby. Members raised concerns regarding public confidence, pollution incidents, communication arrangements, storm overflows and odour issues. Yorkshire Water acknowledged the need for greater transparency and committed to ongoing engagement, with a further update scheduled for September.
4.6 The committee reviewed the draft Urban Gull Strategy ahead of consideration by the Executive. Particular emphasis was placed on tackling food waste as a major attractant for herring gulls, and the committee recommended further work on introducing separate food waste collections, including the potential for a coastal pilot scheme.
4.7 Community safety reports from North Yorkshire Police and council officers highlighted progress in tackling anti-social behaviour, developing Community Safety Hubs, strengthening partnership working and expanding enforcement powers.
4.8 The committee also considered a report on education across the area, covering school performance, SEND provision, exclusions, school finance and place planning. Members welcomed the area's inclusion in the Government's Mission Coastal programme and received an update regarding the temporary closure of East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre. Concern was expressed about the centre's future, and the committee agreed to write to the Leader of the Council seeking assurance on the continued provision of outdoor learning services in the east of the county.
4.9 Further information about the meeting can be found here:
5.0 THIRSK AND MALTON AC – 12 JUNE 2026
5.1 The Committee received a public question, which stated that the correspondent remained unconvinced on the success of the devolution deal with the removal of the District Councils, the election of a regional Mayor and a combined authority for York and North Yorkshire and asked the Chair for their opinion. The Chair responded that measuring the effectiveness of the move to a unitary authority and the introduction of a regional mayor and combined authority is not a task for this area committee, but that of the NYC Corporate and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee.
The question would be passed to the Clerk and Chair of that committee and Councillor Heather Phillips, in whose portfolio this scrutiny lies.
5.2 A written update was received from Kevin Hollinrake MP. During discussion of the update the issue of funding for York and Scarborough Hospital Trust was raised and the committee agreed to invite the MP and the mayor to discuss these concerns.
5.3 The committee received a petition on the ongoing highways works and water ingress issues at Birdgate, Pickering. The Area Highways Manager attended the meeting and advised that the traffic controls had recently been removed and gave assurances that Council was continuing to work towards a permanent solution. The Committee requested a regular update and that the petitioner was kept informed, even if there was nothing of significance to report.
5.4 The Community Safety and CCTV team presented their annual report and North Yorkshire Police presented the annual crime statistics and took Members’ questions on local concerns.
5.5 The committee received the latest update on Town Investment Plans in Malton and Norton, Thirsk, Filey and the early work taking place in Easingwold.
5.6 The committee also received information items on library services digital connectivity and double devolution.
5.7 Further information about the meeting may be found here:
6.0 RICHMOND (YORKS) AC – 29 JUNE 2026
6.1 The Right Hon Rishi Sunak MP attended the meeting and gave a brief update on GP services in Reeth, the proposed Hope moor Wind Farm, the update to the A66 and the latest on traffic congestion on the A6136.
6.2 A representative from LINK attended the meeting to explain how the recent decision to open a banking hub in Stokesley had been made, the next steps to find a permanent location and a recent government review into access to banking services, not just access to cash.
6.3 The Community Safety and CCTV team presented their annual report and North Yorkshire Police presented the annual crime statistics and took Members’ questions on local concerns.
6.4 The committee received the latest update on Town Investment Plans in Richmond and the early work taking place in Hawes and Leyburn. The committee asked that the TIP for Stokesley, yet to be commenced would ensure the parking concerns in the town.
6.5 Further information about the meeting may be found here:
7.0 SELBY AND AINSTY AC – 25 JUNE 2026
7.1 Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright was elected as Chair and Councillor Andy Paraskos was elected as Vice Chair for the 2026/27 municipal year.
7.2 The Committee considered a report on progress on issues raised at previous meetings. Members expressed concern that road safety matters had been directed to the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee, noting that its remit does not lend itself to consideration of localised issues. The Committee requested that a report on road safety be presented to the Area Committee on at least an annual basis.
7.3 Two public statements were received. The first related to the impact of the Home to School Transport Policy on traffic congestion and road safety at Tadcaster Grammar School. The Committee requested a report on the projected impact of the policy on traffic volumes, including data-driven modelling of any anticipated increase in private vehicle journeys, together with associated risks and mitigation measures. The second public statement was considered under Item 9: Maltkiln New Settlement Update.
7.4 Representatives from Yorkshire Water attended to provide an update on local issues, including investment in infrastructure, water resources, and planned improvements. Members raised concerns regarding the impact of housing growth on existing infrastructure and capacity, particularly in relation to sewerage provision and water supply, and highlighted the importance of ensuring that future development is supported by appropriate infrastructure and monitoring.
7.5 An update on the Maltkiln New Settlement was presented, outlining progress on the Development Plan Document, the agreed masterplan framework, and ongoing work in relation to the planning application. A public statement relating to the item was heard at the start of the discussion, raising questions regarding the completeness of the evidence base and the robustness of assessments, to which officers advised that these matters are being addressed as part of the planning process and that further detail will be considered through subsequent stages.
7.6 The Committee considered the annual Community Safety and CCTV Service update. Members raised queries regarding coordination with other CCTV providers, including town and parish councils, businesses and industrial estates; patterns of anti-social behaviour, particularly in the evenings; anti-social use of vehicles; and the need for clear and accessible reporting routes and contact points.
7.8 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 June 2026.
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 June 2026.
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 June 2026.
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 June 2026 round of committee meetings.
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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 June 2026, 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.