Agenda and draft minutes

To move that the Minutes of the meetings held on 12 November 2025 and 13 February 2026 and the extraordinary meeting held on 13 February 2026, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting of the Council held on 12 November 2025 having been printed and circulated, be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried.

It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the Budget Meeting of the Council held on 13 February 2026 having been printed and circulated, be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried.

It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 13 February 2026 having been printed and circulated, be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The vote was taken and the motion declared carried.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Joy Andrews, Derek Bastiman, Lindsay Burr MBE, Janet Jefferson, Steve Mason, Stuart Parsons, Steve Shaw-Wright, Monika Slater and Angus Thompson.

Declarations of interest were made as follows:

Councillors Nigel Knapton and Cliff Lunn at Minute 268 as they were members of parish councils included within the review.  Both councillors had been granted a dispensation enabling them to take part in the debate. 

Councillors Nick Brown and Andrew Murday also declared interests in Minute 268.

Councillor Gareth Dadd in relation to the second homes premium, for which he had been granted a dispensation enabling him to take part.

Councillor Michael Harrison at Minute 267 as his employer was mentioned in the papers, for which he had been granted a dispensation enabling him to take part.

Councillor Karl Arthur at Minute 271(h) in relation to the Transforming Cities Fund as he worked for Network Rail.

Any correspondence, communication or other business brought forward by the direction of the Chair of the Council.

The Chair welcomed the Honorary Aldermen and members of the public and press who were present.

The Chair informed Members of the usual arrangements for the meeting.

The Chair informed members of the recent death of former North Yorkshire County Councillor David Ashton.  Councillor Ashton had served as Leader of the Council from May 1997 until June 2001, and as Chair in 2002. 

A minute’s silence was held in memory of Councillor David Ashton.

The Chair reported that the Coast to Coast Path, which passed through the county, would shortly be launched as a designated National Trail.  He also referred to the proposed designation of the Yorkshire Wolds as a National Landscape area and advised that the Council had written to Natural England in support.  The Chair would be walking the Wolds Way National Trail in April in support of the proposed designation.

The Leader, Councillor Carl Les, made a statement and answered questions under Council Procedure Rule 2.3 as Leader of the Council, a summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 39 to 40 of the agenda pack and in the Minute Book at pages 5291 to 5292.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice and provided the text to Barry Khan, Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services – email: barry.khan@northyorks.gov.uk or in writing to Barry Khan, Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services, County Hall, Northallerton DL7 8AD by midday on Friday, 13 March 2026.  Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item.

If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Chair who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

There were no public questions or statements.

This motion:

Council notes that:

·         In December 2024 the Government introduced the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, with an overall aim to better protect children and raise standards in education.

·         The Government also announced £740 million in new funding to support SEND pupils and those needing alternative education within mainstream schools. Inclusion remains the overarching policy, so that our children and young people are educated together with their peers in their own community, where appropriate.

·         The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system is under severe strain, with some families struggling to secure vital support for their children which is compounded by some schools and councils struggling to provide the necessary support.

·         Children with SEND deserve the same opportunities as every child, including access to the support they need to thrive both in school and in life.

·         Research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that private equity–backed SEND providers are making over £100 million a year in profits, with some achieving margins of over 20%.

·         Many of these companies are backed by firms registered in tax havens or foreign sovereign wealth funds.

Council believes that:

·         Profiteering from the needs of children with SEND is unacceptable and must end.

·         Children with SEND are not commodities for profit and should never be treated as such.

·         Resources must be directed into improving provision and outcomes for children, not into shareholder dividends or inflated executive pay.

·         North Yorkshire Council should be supported to provide sustainable, high-quality inclusive SEND provision within both their mainstream and specialist settings; including by building and operating their own schools to accommodate those with the most complex needs if necessary.

Council welcomes:

·         Government action to curb profiteering in children’s social care. Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, it has introduced powers to cap the profits of providers of illegal or exploitative children’s homes, alongside enhancing financial transparency and greater enforcement by Ofsted.

·         The Government review of the SEND and Alternative Provision system which is due to be published in the Autumn.

·         The proactive work of hard-working officers in North Yorkshire Council to improve our SEND services.

Council resolves to:

·         Call on the Government to eradicate the profits of private SEND providers, including sanctions against providers who breach this, with any profits returned to local authorities.

·         Support further reforms to boost the SEND system, including strong financial oversight of providers, transparency, and new powers and funding for councils to build and manage local mainstream and specialist provision directly.

·         Endorse the principle that Government SEND reforms must put children first—not corporate greed.

·         Request the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Education to ask that the SEND review consider action in line with the above.

This motion was referred from the Council meeting on 12 November 2025 to Scrutiny Board and then to Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 17 December 2025.

Council were requested to consider the recommendation of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee following consideration of a Notice of Motion which had been referred from the Council meeting on 17 December 2025 to the Scrutiny Board and then the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The motion stated:

Council notes that:

·       In December 2024 the Government introduced the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, with an overall aim to better protect children and raise standards in education.

·       The Government also announced £740 million in new funding to support SEND pupils and those needing alternative education within mainstream schools. Inclusion remains the overarching policy, so that our children and young people are educated together with their peers in their own community, where appropriate.

·       The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system is under severe strain, with some families struggling to secure vital support for their children which is compounded by some schools and councils struggling to provide the necessary support.

·       Children with SEND deserve the same opportunities as every child, including access to the support they need to thrive both in school and in life.

·       Research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that private equity backed SEND providers are making over £100 million a year in profits, with some achieving margins of over 20%.

·       Many of these companies are backed by firms registered in tax havens or foreign sovereign wealth funds.

Council believes that:

·       Profiteering from the needs of children with SEND is unacceptable and must end.

·       Children with SEND are not commodities for profit and should never be treated as such.

·       Resources must be directed into improving provision and outcomes for children, not into shareholder dividends or inflated executive pay.

·       North Yorkshire Council should be supported to provide sustainable, high-quality inclusive SEND provision within both their mainstream and specialist settings; including by building and operating their own schools to accommodate those with the most complex needs if necessary.

Council welcomes:

·       Government action to curb profiteering in children’s social care. Through the

·       Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, it has introduced powers to cap the profits of providers of illegal or exploitative children’s homes, alongside enhancing financial transparency and greater enforcement by Ofsted.

·       The Government review of the SEND and Alternative Provision system which is due to be published in the Autumn.

·       The proactive work of hard-working officers in North Yorkshire Council to improve our SEND services.

Council resolves to:

·       Call on the Government to eradicate the profits of private SEND providers, including sanctions against providers who breach this, with any profits returned to local authorities.

·       Support further reforms to boost the SEND system, including strong financial oversight of providers, transparency, and new powers and funding for councils to build and manage local mainstream and specialist provision directly.

·       Endorse the principle that Government SEND reforms must put children first—not corporate greed.

·       Request the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Education to ask that the SEND review consider action in line with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 266.

The Executive had recommended three matters to Council for a decision, which were:

School Admission Arrangements for the School Year 2027/28

This item was dealt with at the Extraordinary Meeting of Council held on 13 February 2026

Revenue Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy

This item was dealt with at the Budget Meeting of Council held on 13 February

NYC Pay Policy for Senior Managers

The recommendation at page 48 of the agenda pack (page 5300 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

On a vote being taken the motion was declared carried unanimously.

Resolved

That the North Yorkshire Council Pay Policy Statement on Pay Structure, Grading and Conditions for Senior Managers for the Period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 be approved for publication.

The recommendations at page 58 of the agenda pack (page 5310 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

On a vote being taken 76 members voted for the motion and there were 4 abstentions.

Resolved

1)             That the recommendation from Standards and Governance Committee to accept the results from the Stage 1 consultation process which took place following publication of the Terms of Reference in September 2025 be agreed.

2)             That the draft recommendations as set out in Appendices 1-19 of the report be agreed and publicised as part of a second and final consultation commencing on 19 March 2026 for a further twelve weeks.

The recommendations at page 396 of the agenda pack (page 5648 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

Resolved

(a)   Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor John Ritchie was appointed to the vacant position of Vice Chair of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(b)   Pension Fund Committee

Councillor Peter Wilkinson was appointed to the vacant position of Vice Chair of the Pension Fund Committee.

(c)   Standards and Governance Committee

Councillor Melanie Davis was appointed Vice Chair of the Standards and Governance Committee. 

(d)   Audit Committee

Councillor Felicity Cunliffe-Lister stood down from the committee and Councillor Steve Mason was appointed.

(e)   Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee

There remained a North Yorkshire Independent vacant seat and an unaffiliated independent vacant seat on this committee.  No appointments were made.

(f)    Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Planning Committee

Councillor Michael Harrison was appointed to the Conservative and Independents vacancy on the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Planning Committee

(g)   Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

Councillor Felicity Cunliffe-Lister was appointed to the vacant Liberal Democrat and Liberal seat on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

The recommendations at page 401 of the agenda pack (page 5655 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

(a)   Scrutiny of Health Committee

Councillor Roberta Swiers to be appointed to the vacant Conservative and Independents seat

Councillor John Mann to be appointed to the Reform UK seat

(b)   Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Karin Sedgwick to be appointed to the vacant Conservative and Independents seat

(c)   Housing and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Cliff Lunn to be appointed to the vacant Conservative and Independents seat

(d)   Development Plan Committee

Councillor David Jeffels to be appointed to the vacant Conservative and Independents seat

(e)   General Licensing and Registration Committee

Councillor Peter Wilkinson to be appointed to the vacant Conservative and Independents seat

Councillor John Mann to be appointed to the Reform UK seat

(f)    Strategic Planning Committee

Councillor Derek Bastiman to be appointed to the vacant Conservative and Independents seat

(g)   Care and Independence Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor John Mann to be appointed to the Reform UK seat

[Post meeting note: At the meeting Councillor John Mann was appointed to the Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee in error.  However, following the meeting the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services used his delegated powers to appoint Councillor Mann to the Care and Independence Overview and Scrutiny Committee to ensure political proportionality across the overview and scrutiny committees, with the agreement of the Reform UK group.]

The written statements of Executive Members and Chairs of the Scrutiny Board and Overview and Scrutiny Committees having been previously circulated were noted.

Councillor Simon Myers, Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 403 to 406 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5657 to 5660)

Councillor Janet Sanderson, Executive Member for Children and Families, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 407 to 408 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5661 to 5662)

Councillor Richard Foster, Executive Member for Managing our Environment, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 409 to 412 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5663 to 5665)

Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 413 to 414 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5667 to 5668)

Councillor Gareth Dadd, Executive Member for Finance and Assets, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 414 to 416 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5669 to 5670)

Councillor Mark Crane, Executive Member for Open to Business, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 417 to 420 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5671 to 5674)

Councillor Heather Phillips, Executive Member for Corporate Services, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 421 to 426 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5675 to 5679)

Councillor Malcolm Taylor, Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 427 to 432 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5681 to 5686)

Councillor Michael Harrison, Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 433 to 434 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5687 to 5688)

The written statement of Councillor Karin Sedgwick having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 435 to 436 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5689 to 5690)

The written statement of Councillor Andrew Williams having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 437 to 438 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5691)

The written statement of Councillor Andrew Lee having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 439 to 440 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5693 to 5694)

The written statement of Councillor David Staveley having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 441 to 444 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5695 to 5697).  The Chair of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee then answered questions.

The written statement of Councillor Caroline Goodrick having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 451 to 452 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5699 to 5700)

The written statement of Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 447 to 450 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5701 to 5703)

The written statement of Councillor Barbara Brodigan having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 451 to 452 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 5705)

The report on the Use of Special Urgency Procedures since the meeting of the Council on 12 November 2026 was considered and the recommendation at page 456 of the agenda pack (page 5710 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

Resolved

That Council receives and notes the report.

The Chair of the Audit Committee agreed to provide a written response to a question from Councillor Andrew Timothy.