Issue - meetings

Recommendations

i)              That the Executive authorises the acceptance of grant funding of up to £1.2million from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to support the costs of developing investment plans for towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire. 

ii)         That the Corporate Director of Community Development in consultation with the Assistant Director of Resources (Community Development) and the Assistant Chief Executive for Legal and Democratic are granted delegated authority to agree and enter into the final terms of the grant agreement with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Community Development recommending the acceptance of grant funding of up to £1.2 million from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to support the costs of developing tailored investment plans for towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire.

The Executive Member for Open to Business, Councillor Mark Crane, introduced the report which provided an overview of the Town Investment Plan programme which would develop tailored investment plans for 32 towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire.  The plans would provide a strategic approach to regeneration and investment, building on work already done and will provide the best opportunities for each place.  The funding would be topped up with £110k of money from North Yorkshire Council.

The Executive Member responded to a written question from a member of the public and confirmed that town and parish councils would be consulted, as well as local division Members and business and other groups.

Councillors Yvonne Peacock, Kevin Foster and Stuart Parsons all attended the meeting and spoke in support of the proposals.

Resolved (unanimously) – that

i)              the acceptance of grant funding of up to £1.2 million from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority be authorised to support the costs of developing investment plans for towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire. 

ii)         the Corporate Director Community Development in consultation with the Assistant Director of Resources (Community Development) and the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services are granted delegated authority to agree and enter into the final terms of the grant agreement with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Reasons for recommendations

The recommendation will secure the external funding needed to deliver a priority action in the North Yorkshire Council Plan (2025 – 2029) to lead work to develop clear and prioritised ‘Town Investment Plans’ for towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire.

Alternative options considered

The alternative options would be to disaggregate the programme or not to undertake it at all, thereby foregoing the creation of town investment plans. The potential consequences of the latter option include limited economic growth, fewer job opportunities, and a decline in the quality of life and community well-being, as our towns and service centres struggle to attract new businesses and investment. Without an investment plan, our towns and service centres may miss out on securing external funding, limiting their ability to finance improvements. A disaggregated approach would inhibit the sharing of resources and best practices across the county, creating inequity between communities and their opportunities to attract funding and investment.

Overall, the absence of this programme and the resulting town investment plans could hinder the sustainable development and revitalisation of communities in North Yorkshire.