Decision details

The report will seek approval:
1. To invite David Kerfoort CBE DL to become the Independent Chair for the Scarborough Town Board.

The Leader invites David Kerfoot CBE DL to be the Independent Chair of Scarborough Town Board to serve for a two-year term until 31 March 2026 and confirms the transition of the Scarborough Town Deal Board to the Scarborough Town Board.

On the 26th February 2024 the Scarborough Town Board (formally the Scarborough Town Deal Board) recommended that David Kerfoot is invited to service as Chair for a two year term until 31 March 2026.

The appointment takes due regard of the guidance issued by the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities that states:

If a town already has a Town Deal Board in place, or a similar such structure – for example, an appropriate subset of a Community Planning Partnership in Scotland
– we strongly encourage the utilisation of that forum to act as the Town Board, to
avoid unnecessary duplication and allow towns to move quickly to draw up their Long Term Plan. If an existing forum is to be repurposed, it is incumbent on the chair, supported by the local authority, to ensure the right people are around the table to fully reflect the priorities of the town.

The Town Deal Board considered that Mr Kerfoot is capable of fulfilling the duties required of a Town Board chair to:

act as a champion for the town and provide leadership for the Town Board, ensuring it is community-led and embedded within the local area.

The invitation will ensure continuity in the delivery of the existing of Town Deal programme and that the business of establishing the Long-Term Plan can begin immediately.

The Board and the Council gave due consideration to the term of the appointment and recommended that a two-year term was appropriate so that the end of the term coincides with the end of the Town Deal programme.

The Chair, supported by the local authority, will ensure the right people are confirmed onto the Scarborough Town Board which reflect the priorities of the town and will appoint a community leader or local business person as their deputy. Elected representatives, such as MPs, MSPs, MSs or local councillors, will not be appointed chair or deputy of the Town Board.

The decision by the Council has been taken following advice from the DLUHC representatives who have advised that the guidance is wholly non-prescriptive and [Board] membership will vary depending on the local context. The appointment of the Chair is a local decision.

Invite nominations from the wider community. This was not recommended by the Board who believed that extending the incumbent Chair’s term to the end of the existing Town Deal will ensure continuity in leadership and not delay the establishment of the new Long-Term Plan.

The Board felt that after a further two years it would be appropriate to review the position again.