Issue - meetings

Recommendations

That the Executive

1)    Approves the allocation of £200,000 (£100,000 per year over two years) funding from the Strategic Capacity Reserve for operational costs associated with the delivery of the Tour of Britain Cycling Race in 2026 and 2027.

2)    Delegates responsibility to the Corporate Director Environment to manage a contingency fund of £25K in each of 2026 and 2027 to support event delivery if the existing annual budget is exceeded.

3)    Delegate responsibility to the Corporate Director Environment to agree the race routes with British Cycling for the 2026 and 2027 Tour of Britain Cycling Races

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Environment seeking approval to allocate £200,000 funding towards the operational costs associated with the delivery of the Tour of Britain cycling race in 2026 and 2027.

The Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, Councillor Malcolm Taylor introduced the report and advised that the hosting fee would be funded by the Combined Authority. The Council had a history of hosting major cycling events and benefits included economic growth, promotion of active travel, increased inward investment, national and international media exposure and races acted as a catalyst for community activity.

The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic confirmed that Councillors Carl Les and Gareth Dadd, whilst having voted on the item in their capacity as members of the Combined Authority, were not predetermined as they had not been involved in a decision about North Yorkshire Council funding.

It was noted that the Council’s contribution was limited to £100k per race, one each in 2026 and 2027, and there would also be a contingency of £25k for each race if the original budget was exceeded.   

(Councillor Michael Harrison declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the item and left the meeting room for the debate and vote thereon.)

Resolved (unanimously)

That the Executive

1)    Approves the allocation of £200,000 (£100,000 per year over two years) funding from the Strategic Capacity Reserve for operational costs associated with the delivery of the Tour of Britain Cycling Race in 2026 and 2027.

2)    Delegates responsibility to the Corporate Director Environment to manage a contingency fund of £25K in each of 2026 and 2027 to support event delivery if the existing annual budget is exceeded.

3)    Delegate responsibility to the Corporate Director Environment to agree the race routes with British Cycling for the 2026 and 2027 Tour of Britain Cycling Races

Reasons for recommendations

To facilitate the delivery of a stage of the Tour of Britain Cycle race in 2026 and 2027

Alternative options considered

No alternative options were considered