Issue - meetings

Considered a report of the Director of Environment and Assistant Chief Executive – Localities which sought approval of proposed changes to the Scarborough Model Agreement for town, parish and village councils in the Scarborough area.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Heather Phillips introduced the report noting that the proposed cessation of the Scarborough Model Agreement and harmonisation of service delivery had been the subject of dialogue for some time between North Yorkshire Council and local councils in the area. This had given time for the local councils affected to adjust their precepts should they wish to make up for the loss of funding. The Chair noted that he had received emails from Councillor Rich Maw and Councillor Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff in respect of this matter which had been circulated to the Executive. Hunmanby and Sherburn division member, Councillor Donohue-Moncrieff then addressed the meeting commending Hunmanby Parish Council for engaging proactively with NYC on this issue. She welcomed the proposal to continue the current payment for parks, playing fields and open spaces whilst an assessment was carried out of the estimated NYC maintenance costs for a wide range of sites with differing maintenance standards, and requested that this work be undertaken as quickly as possible to enable local councils to make a considered decision on the matter. In reply, Councillor Phillips confirmed NYC’s pragmatic approach to resolving this and hoped that the new Scarborough Town Council would also engage with NYC to help harmonise the delivery of services.

Resolved (unanimously)

i)               To agree that the SMA funding is replaced with the revised schedule of payments that will form individual agreements between services with individual parishes as summarised in paragraph 4.1 of this report and set out in detail in Appendix A.

ii)              To note the overall opportunity to deliver savings of up to £102,347.26 as part of the Environment transformation programme.

iii)             That NYC convene an in-person engagement event in the Scarborough area for parishes at the earliest opportunity after the Executive’s decision, to support and assist stakeholders.

Reasons for recommendations

The proposals will ensure a harmonised approach to how environmental services for open space management, verge cutting, public seats, and public clocks are funded in the county. This will help deliver against the agreed transformation programme whilst ensuring Parishes are informed to set precepts in their localities.