Agenda

To move that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2026, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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

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, 10 July 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.

1.            Consideration of No Council Tax Payment for the Terminally Ill

Proposer – Councillor Chris Aldred

Seconder – Councillor Andrew Murday

This Council:

Believes everyone should be able to spend the final days, weeks and months of their life focusing on what really matters: making memories with their loved ones. But life is often more expensive when you live with a terminal diagnosis, and with the rising cost of living, more and more terminally ill people are being pushed into poverty across the UK every year.

Agrees with calls from the Marie Curie Chairty for Councils across England to review the financial support they offer people with a terminal illness, and their loved ones, meaning that people with less than 12 months to live should be exempt from paying Council Tax - 16 other Councils across the country have already adopted similar proposals in their 2026/27 Budgets, so evidence as to the uptake and practicalities are available.

Understands that suspending Council Tax for terminally ill people means they will face one less financial burden during an already unimaginably difficult time. It's not just a thoughtful act - it could be the difference between security and poverty at the end of life, when comfort and dignity should be non-negotiable.

This Council resolves to:

1.    Support the Marie Curie Campaign calling for Council Tax relief for terminally ill residents.

2.    Instructs officers to set out a plan to change its policies, to explicitly include a commitment to support people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness within it’s 2027/28 Budget proposal.

3.    Base any entitlement on SR1 forms completed by a clinician which confirms a person has a progressive disease, and consequently their patient is expected to pass away within 12 months.

Implications assessment:

·         Financial – a very limited decrease in Council Tax collection from the small number where the designation applies (persons with a progressive disease, certified by a clinician via an SR1 form)

·         Legal – may require a change to the Constitution to be able to do

·         Equality and Diversity – no direct implications

·         Climate Change – no direct implications.

2.            Home to School Transport Policy

Proposer – Councillor Felicity Cunliffe-Lister

Seconder – Councillor Matt Walker

This Council notes that:

·         It is now two years since the Home to School Transport Policy was adopted in July 2024.

·         The first full admissions cycle (the Class of ‘25) has now been completed, providing substantial evidence through appeals, Ombudsman findings, public consultation and feedback from schools and parish councils to indicate serious issues inherent in the policy and the impact it is having on families, schools and rural communities.

·         Children starting new schools this year (the Class of ‘26) are already facing a summer of appeals and uncertainty over access to both free home-to-school transport and paid-for bus passes.

·         It has been made clear that the scope of the Post Implementation Review is limited to assessing how the policy is being applied, not to changing the policy parameters. That can only be  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Proposer: Cllr. Hannah Gostlow

Seconder: Cllr. Peter Lacey

Council notes that Community Transport provides essential, flexible, and locally responsive services across North Yorkshire, supporting independence, wellbeing, and social inclusion - particularly for older residents, disabled people and those experiencing isolation. It enables access to healthcare, education, employment, and social opportunities, and contributes to safer travel for all.

Provision varies across the county, with some communities experiencing limited or inconsistent access. Community Transport is most effective when community led, place based and supported through strong partnership working, with the Council acting in an enabling role. There is an opportunity to improve the consistency, visibility, and coordination of support across North Yorkshire, alongside wider regional transport work.

Council therefore resolves to:

1.            Request a report setting out the current Community Transport landscape across North Yorkshire, including:

·         existing schemes and coverage

·         current forms of Council support

·         links with health, social care, and other partners

·         alignment with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

·         gaps, inconsistencies, or barriers to sustainability.

2.         Ask officers to outline options for a strengthened Community Transport support framework, including:

·         improved coordination and information sharing

·         enhanced visibility of existing schemes

·         volunteer recruitment and retention

·         access to funding and external opportunities.

·         the potential role of commissioning or procurement, where appropriate

3.         Work with partners, including the Combined Authority, Integrated Care Board, and community organisations, to ensure Community Transport is appropriately reflected in emerging transport plans and pilots.

4.         Establish a cross sector Working Group comprising elected Members, relevant Council officers and representatives from the Community Transport sector and partner organisations, to support coordination, share best practice and shape proportionate, locally responsive recommendations.

5.         Report back to the relevant committee within 6–12 months with findings and recommendations that build on existing work and avoid duplication.

Impact considerations

This motion is not expected to create significant new cost pressures, but rather to strengthen understanding, coordination, and the effectiveness of existing activity.  It also recognises North Yorkshire Council’s previous investment in Community Transport, ensuring that this valuable foundation is not lost but brought back into the current conversation - linking past initiatives with emerging approaches to shared and demand responsive transport, and maximising social value through collaboration and community benefit.

As mentioned, this motion has been viewed and discussed by officers prior to submission, ensuring alignment with current workstreams and that proposals complement existing commitments.

In aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it reinforces the Council’s commitment to fair, inclusive, and sustainable transport - contributing locally to global objectives for climate action, equality, wellbeing, and partnership working.

I feel it supports:

·         Climate objectives (SDG 13 – Climate Action) by encouraging shared and demand responsive transport, reducing reliance on private car use

·         Equality and rural inclusion (SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities; SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities) by addressing disparities in access to transport

·         Health and wellbeing (SDG 3 – Good Health and Well Being) through improved access to services and reduced isolation

·         Local economic participation (SDG 8 – Decent  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.