Agenda and minutes

To move that the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 21 May 2025 and the Annual General Meeting held on 21 May 2025, 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 Extraordinary Meeting of Council held on 21 May 2025 having been printed and circulated be confirmed by the Chair as a correct record.

A vote was taken and the motion declared carried.

It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 21 May 2025 having been printed and circulated be confirmed by the Chair as a correct record.

A vote was taken and the motion was declared caried.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Philip Barrett, Lindsay Burr MBE, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Richard Foster, Jack Proud, Dan Sladden, Angus Thompson and Peter Wilkinson.

Councillor Karl Arthur at Minute 222(a) as he worked for Network Rail which was involved in the Transforming Cities Fund programme.

The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services referred to Minute 215 in relation to approving the terms of reference for a Community Governance Review and advised that this was not a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other registrable interest.  In the interests of openness and transparency the following Members declared that they were a Member of a town or parish council which might be affected by the review:  Councillors Chris Aldred, Barbara Brodigan, Nick Brown, Caroline Goodrick, Michael Harrison, Nigel Knapton, Hannah Gostlow, Paul Haslam, Janet Jefferson, Cliff Lunn, Rich Maw, John McCartney, David Noland, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Kirsty Poskitt, Robert Heseltine, Janet Sanderson, Monica Slater, Roberta Swiers, Andrew Timothy, Matt Walker, Arnold Warneken, Annabel Wilkinson and Andrew Williams.

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 death of former County Councillor Les Parkes was noted.  Les served as Member for Harlow division in Harrogate from 2005 – 2009.

The Chair also informed Members of the deaths of two former Ryedale District Councillors and Honorary Aldermen.  Former Councillor Joan Taylor who served from 1987 – 2007 and was also Chair of the Council in 1997/98 and former Councillor Eric Hope, who served on the Council from 2007-2023 and was also Chair of the Council in 2012/13.

A minute’s silence was held in memory of former Councillors Les Parkes, Joan Taylor and Eric Hope.

The Chair then welcomed Councillor Tom Seston to his first meeting of the Council since his election to the Eastfield division.

The Chair advised that his charity of the year would be the Yorkshire Air Ambulance which provided vital life-saving support to communities across our rural county.

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 19 and 20 of the agenda pack and in the Minute Book at pages 3599 to 3600.

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, 11 July 2025.  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.

1)         That this council carries out standard Disclosure and Barring Service Checks (“DBS”) for all elected members.

Proposer – Cllr Kevin Foster

Seconder – Cllr Arnold Warneken.

2)         This Council, recognising that prostate cancer can develop without obvious symptoms, will write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, seeking a reassurance that a national testing scheme will be made available to men aged 40 + and those men with a family history of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer as a priority supporting Prostate cancer UK’s “Faster Fairer Better campaign”.

This Council will promote an awareness campaign by publishing the risk to certain groups and to promote awareness by siting posters in male toilets and the council-owned estate such as council offices, depots, and leisure centres encouraging men over 40 and those most at risk to ask their doctor for a PSA blood test to detect more cases early in the progress of the disease.

It has been requested that this Motion be debated on the day of Council and not referred to a committee for consideration.  The reason given by the proposer and seconder is:

‘That the issue of prostate cancer screening is very important as a public health issue, and hopefully the actions which the motion asks for are not politically controversial and require very little in terms of resource.  I believe that referral to the executive or to health scrutiny will not serve any useful purpose.’

Proposer: Councillor Andrew Murday

Seconder: Councillor Andrew Timothy.

3)         This council:

·       Reiterates its support for the dualling of the A64;

·       Agrees to write to the Mayor of York & North Yorkshire and the Members of Parliament for York Outer, Thirsk & Malton and Scarborough & Whitby requesting confirmation of their support for this essential upgrade;

·       Commits to working on a cross-party basis with national and local political representatives to secure this essential upgrade at long last.

Proposer: Councillor Keane Duncan

Seconder: Councillor Derek Bastiman.

The Chair informed Members that there were three notices of motion on the agenda. The Chair was required to give a ruling on whether motions should be debated at the meeting or referred to the Scrutiny Board to determine which committee was the most appropriate to consider the matter. 

(1)  DBS checks for all Councillors – that the motion be debated at the meeting

(2)  Prostate cancer screening and awareness campaign – that the motion be referred to the Scrutiny Board

(3)   Dualling of the A64 – that the motion be referred to the Scrutiny Board

The Chair reminded Members that when considering notices of motion where a motion had been referred to the Scrutiny Board by the Chair the mover of that motion could move ‘that the motion be considered now’ and a vote taken.  The mover of the notice of motion could speak for five minutes on that motion, the seconder should second without comment, and one Member could speak for five minutes against.

212(1) DBS Checks for Councillors

That this council carries out standard Disclosure and Barring Service Checks (“DBS”) for all elected members.

Proposer: Councillor Kevin Foster

Seconder: Councillor Arnold Warneken

The notice of motion was moved by Councillor Kevin Foster and seconded by Councillor Arnold Warneken.

The motion was then debated.

On a vote being taken 7 Members voted for the motion, 73 voted against and there were 2 abstentions.  The motion therefore fell.

212(2) Prostate cancer screening and awareness campaign

This Council, recognising that prostate cancer can develop without obvious symptoms, will write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, seeking a reassurance that a national testing scheme will be made available to men aged 40 + and those men with a family history of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer as a priority supporting Prostate cancer UK’s “Faster Fairer Better campaign”.

This Council will promote an awareness campaign by publishing the risk to certain groups and to promote awareness by siting posters in male toilets and the council-owned estate such as council offices, depots, and leisure centres encouraging men over 40 and those most at risk to ask their doctor for a PSA blood test to detect more cases early in the progress of the disease.

It has been requested that this Motion be debated on the day of Council and not referred to a committee for consideration. The reason given by the proposer and seconder is:

‘That the issue of prostate cancer screening is very important as a public health issue, and hopefully the actions which the motion asks for are not politically controversial and require very little in terms of resource. I believe that referral to the executive or to health scrutiny will not serve any useful purpose.’

Proposer: Councillor Andrew Murday

Seconder: Councillor Andrew Timothy

The proposer of the motion, Councillor Andrew Murday, moved that the notice of motion be considered now and spoke to the motion.  Councillor Michael Harrison then spoke in opposition to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 212.

This motion was referred from the Council meeting on 26 February 2025 to Scrutiny Board and then to the Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  This motion has been withdrawn by the proposer and the seconder, Councillors Kevin Foster and Andy Brown.

This motion had been withdrawn by the proposer and seconder, Councillors Kevin Foster and Andy Brown.

The recommendation at page 23 of the agenda pack (page 3603 of the Minute book) was moved and seconded.

On a vote being taken the motion was declared carried.

For: Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Karl Arthur, Alyson Baker, Derek Bastiman, Philip Broadbank, Eric Broadbent, Barbara Brodigan, Andy Brown, Nick Brown, John Cattanach, David Chance, Liz Colling, Mark Crane, Sam Cross, Gareth Dadd, Melanie Davis, Caroline Dickinson, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Stephanie Duckett, Keane Duncan, Kevin Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Paul Haslam, Robert Heseltine, David Hugill, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Mike Jordan, Nigel Knapton, Peter Lacey, Andrew Lee, Carl Les, Cliff Lunn, John Mann, Steve Mason, Rich Maw, John McCartney, Heather Moorhouse, Andrew Murday, Simon Myers, David Noland, Bob Packham, Andy Paraskos, Stuart Parsons, Yvonne Peacock, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Kirsty Poskitt, John Ritchie, Janet Sanderson, Mike Schofield, Karin Sedgwick, Seston, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Monika Slater, Andy Solloway, David Staveley, Neil Swannick, Roberta Swiers, Malcolm Taylor, Andrew Timothy, Phil Trumper, Matt Walker, Arnold Warneken, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass

Against:  None

Abstentions:  None

Resolved

That, in relation to the Revenue Budget, Treasury Management and Capital Plan, the proposed carry forward to 2025/26 of the net capital underspend totalling £8.0m as set out in paragraph 4.4.2  on page 223 of the agenda pack for Executive held on 27 May 2025.

The recommendations at page 29 of the agenda pack (page 3609 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried unanimously.

Resolved

1)    That the Terms of Reference for the Community Governance Review attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved

2)    That authority be delegated to the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services to amend the terms of reference accordingly if the LGBCE final recommendations have an impact on the terms of reference

3)    That authority be delegated to the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services to consider if further requests for a CGR from other parish areas come forward whether those requests should be incorporated in this CGR and the terms of reference amended accordingly.

The recommendations at page 46 of the agenda pack (page 3626 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

Resolved

That the Annual Report 2024/25 of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel be noted.

The Annual Report 2024/25 of the Young People’s Member Champion at pages 59 to 66 of the agenda pack (pages 3639 to 3646 of the Minute Book) was received and noted.

The Annual Report 2024/25 of the Older People’s Member Champion at pages 67 to 74 of the agenda pack (pages 3647 to 3654 of the Minute Book) was received and noted.

The Annual Report 2024/25 of the Climate Change Member Champion at pages 75 to 79 of the agenda pack (pages 3655 to 3659 of the Minute Book) was received and noted.

The recommendations at page 82 of the agenda pack (page 3662 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

Resolved

(a)   Appeals Committee (Home to School Transport)

Councillor John Ritchie to be appointed as substitute member of the committee.

(b)   Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Richard Foster to stand down from the committee and Councillor Greg White to be appointed in his place

Councillor Malcolm Taylor to stand down from the committee and Councillor Derek Bastiman to be appointed in his place

(c)   Housing and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Malcolm Taylor to stand down from the committee and Councillor Sam Gibbs to be appointed in his place.  Councillor Sam Gibbs also to be appointed Chair of the committee.

Councillor Richard Foster to stand down from the committee and Councillor Greg White to be appointed in his place.

(d)   Scrutiny of Health Committee

Councillor Richard Foster to stand down from the committee and Councillor Alyson Baker to be appointed in his place.

(e)   Strategic Planning

Councillor Richard Foster to stand down from the committee and Councillor Robert Windass to be appointed in his place.

(f)    Thirsk and Malton Area Planning Committee

Councillor Malcolm Taylor to stand down from the committee and Councillor Greg White to be appointed in his place.

(g)   General Licensing and Registration Committee

Councillor Richard Foster to stand down from the committee and Councillor Yvonne Peacock to be appointed in his place.

Councillor Malcolm Taylor to stand down from the committee and Councillor Greg White to be appointed in his place.

(h)   Statutory Licensing Committee

Councillor Malcolm Taylor to stand down from the committee and Councillor Greg White to be appointed in his place.

(i)    North Yorkshire Police Fire and Crime Panel

Councillor Malcolm Taylor to stand down from the committee and Councillor David Chance to be appointed in his place.

Councillor Greg White to replace Councillor David Chance as substitute.

(j)    Chief Officer Appointments and Disciplinary Committee

Councillor Bryn Griffiths to stand down from the committee and Councillor Peter Lacey to be appointed in his place.

(k)   Audit Committee        

Vicky Buckley be appointed as an Independent Co-opted Member of the Audit Committee, until 31 July 2027.

(l)    Pension Board

Andrew Robinson of the Ebor Academy Trust, to be appointed as an Employer Representative to a current vacancy on the Pension Board.

(m)York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Advisory Board

The appointment to this Board is the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation.  As such, this will be changed from Councillor Keane Duncan to Councillor Malcolm Taylor.  Councillor Malcom Taylor was previously the named substitute on this Board for the Executive Member and so there is now a vacancy.  A Councillor David Staveley to be appointed as substitute.

(n)   York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Richard Foster has stepped down from the YNYCA’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee since becoming Executive Member for Managing our Environment.  Councillor Derek Bastiman be appointed to the vacant seat on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 220.

The recommendations at page 86 of the agenda pack and also the updated paper circulated subsequently (page 3666 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

On a vote being taken the motion was declared carried.

Resolved

(a)   Scrutiny of Health Committee

Councillor Rich Maw to stand and Councillor Mike Jordan to be appointed

Councillor Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff to stand down and the seat to be given to NY Independents (nobody appointed).

(b)   Corporate and Partnerships OSC

Councillor Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff to stand down and Councillor Tom Seston to be appointed

Vacant NY Independents seat remains.

(c)   Children and Families OSC

Councillor Kirsty Poskitt to be appointed as a Green and Independents taking the NY Independent seat previously held by her

(d)   Audit

Councillor Kevin Foster to be appointed as a Green and Independents taking the NY Independent seat previously held by Councillor Mike Jordan

(e)   Standards and Governance Committee

Councillor Sam Cross to stand down and Councillor Mike Schofield to be appointed.

(f)    Statutory Licensing Committee

Councillor John McCartney to stand down and Councillor Mike Jordan to be appointed.

(g)   Chief Officer Appointments and Disciplinary Committee

Councillor Stuart Parsons to stand down and Councillor Tom Seston to be appointed.

(h)   Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Planning Committee

Councillor Paul Haslam to stand down and Councillor Mike Schofield to be appointed - TBC

(i)    Selby and Ainsty Area Planning Committee

Councillor Mike Jordan to stand down and a Conservative and Independents to be appointed (vacancy).

Other linked appointments:

(j)    Thirsk and Malton Area Planning Committee

Councillor Sam Cross to stand down and Councillor Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff to be appointed.

Councillor Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff was previously gifted a Conservative and Independents seat on that committee, formerly held by Councillor Malcolm Taylor.

This Conservative and Independents seat has now been appointed to with Councillor Greg White.

(k)   Transport Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor John Cattanach to stand down and Cllr Janet Jefferson to be appointed.

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

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 87 to 90 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3679 to 3682).

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 91 to 92 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3683 to 3684).

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 93 to 97 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3685 to 3689).

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 99 to 101 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3691 to 3693).

Councillor Richard Foster, Executive Member for Managing our Environment, submitted a written statement which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 103 to 105 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3695 to 3697).  As the Executive Member has submitted apologies for the meeting responses to the questions would be dealt with in writing.

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 107 to 110 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3699 to 3702).

In making their statements at Minute 222 Councillor Janet Sanderson and Councillor Annabel Wilkinson advised that this was the last Council meeting for Sir Stuart Carlton, Corporate Director, Children and Young People’s Services, who would be retiring in the autumn.  They thanked Sir Stuart for his commitment and diligent work to support children and young people and wished him all the best for the future.

Councillor Gareth Dadd, Executive Member for Finance and Resources, made a statement and responded to questions.  A summary of the key points which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 111 to 112 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3703 to 3704).

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 113 to 116 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3705 to 3708).

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 117 to 121 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3709 to 3714).

The written statement of Councillor Karin Sedgwick having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 123 to 124 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3715 to 3716), was noted. 

The written statement of Councillor John Ritchie having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 125 to 126 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3717 to 3718), was noted. 

The written statement of Councillor Karin Sedgwick having previously been circulated and which appeared at page 127of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (page 3719), was noted. 

The written statement of Councillor Andrew Williams having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 129 to 130 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3721 to 3722), was noted. 

The written statement of Councillor Andrew Lee having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 131 to 132 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3723 to 3724), was noted.  The Chair of the Scrutiny of Health Committee then answered questions.

The written statement of Councillor David Staveley having previously been circulated and which appeared at page 133 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (page 3725), was noted.  The Chair of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee then answered questions.

The written statement of Councillor Caroline Goodrick, Vice-Chair of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee having previously been circulated and which appeared at page 135 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (page 3727), was noted

The report on the Use of Special Urgency Procedures since the last meeting of the Council on 21 May 2025 was considered and the recommendation at page 139 of the agenda pack (page 3731 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

Resolved

That Council receives and notes the report.

The Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee responded to a question under Council Procedure Rule 10.