Agenda and draft minutes

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.

It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the quarterly meeting of the Council held on 20 May 2026 having been printed and circulated, were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Philip Barrett, Barbara Brodigan, John Cattanach, Gareth Dadd, Andrew Lee and Angus Thompson.

Declarations of interest were made as follows:

Councillor Karl Arthur at Minute 312d as he was an employee of Network Rail which was involved in the Transforming Cities Fund.

Councillor Yvonne Peacock at Minute 303 as she was a private hire driver and at Minute 304 as she was a member of the Upper Dales Community Transport Partnership Board.  As these were disclosable pecuniary interests Cllr Peacock left the room during the debate and vote on the items.

The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services informed Council that members of the Appeals (Home to School Transport) Committee did not need to make a declaration relating to the Notice of Motion on the Home to School Travel Policy.

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 Selby District Councillor Humphrey Smith of Tadcaster.  A minute’s silence was held in memory of former Councillor Smith.

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 23 and 24 of the agenda pack and in the Minute Book at pages 6101 to 6102.

The Leader informed members of the Council that Councillor Gareth Dadd would be stepping down from his role as Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Finance and Resources and set out the following changes to Executive and portfolios:

·       Councillor Mark Crane would be appointed as Deputy Leader.  Councillor Crane would retain his current portfolio of Executive Member for Open to Business.

·       The Transformation element of the Finance and Resources portfolio would be transferred to the Executive Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Heather Phillips.

·       Councillor Peter Wilkinson would be appointed as Executive Member for Finance and Resources.

The changes would be effective from the conclusion of the Council meeting.

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.

There were four public questions, as follows:

1.     The following public question was read out by Kate Helme

Two years ago, this Council made a decision based on predictions.  Today, you have something you didn't have then. Two years of seeing how this policy works in practice. As the School Transport Action Group, we've spent those two years supporting families, challenging inconsistencies, analysing data and listening to parents from every corner of North Yorkshire.  We've watched this policy unfold in real life.  So, I want to ask one simple question.  At what point do we stop trying to do the wrong thing better, and simply do the right thing?  Because the problem isn't how this policy has been implemented.  The problem is the policy itself.  "Nearest school only" simply doesn't fit the reality of rural North Yorkshire.  In many of our villages there is no alternative transport.  No bus. No train.  Without a school bus, children simply cannot get to the school they are guaranteed a place at unless their parents drive them.  That isn't an inconvenience.  Its parents forced to reduce hours, leave jobs, or change their children’s schools because lack of transport makes their local catchment school impossible.  We've surveyed families starting secondary school this year.  85.5% of people said there was previously a single bus route from their village. 98% have said that the communication about the policy was unclear. This isn’t because parents aren’t reading things properly, this is because you can’t undo generations of community and school ties and the simplicity of communities being linked to a catchment with a couple of letters. 74% of respondents are not eligible for free transport. 63% have no back up plan if no bus pass. As parents described this policy:  “Stressful. Damaging. Discriminating. Failure, Chaos. Heartbreaking.”  These are not statistics, they are families, they are children, at one of the most important transitions of their lives. And there are hundreds of them.  For the first time, you've also now seen a transparent financial model built using the Council's own published data. It indicates the savings you were promised are unlikely to materialise in the way originally predicted.  What we've experienced over the last two years, and what that modelling now suggests, are pointing in the same direction. More taxis, more officer time, more costs and families and schools suffering. For over a year you have been saying ‘wait for the Post Implementation Review. And we know we will hear that excuse again today. So I have to ask: what is that report likely to tell you that you don't already know?  There have already been two public consultations.  Two years of appeals.  Hundreds of letters, public statements and representations from parents, schools and parish councils.  If you don’t act today, another year of children will be caught by a policy that isn't working. Another 340 families will fall through the ‘catchment gap’ and be punished by this Council just because of where they live.  You’ll  ...  view the full minutes text for item 302.

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 303.

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 304.

The Executive had recommended one matter to Council for a decision. 

Housing Joint Venture

The recommendation at page 32 of the agenda pack (page 6110 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

Councillor Andy Brown moved the following amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Stuart Parsons

That the Shareholder Committee arrangements be referred to the Constitution Member Working Group with a view to enhancing representation from opposition groups and increasing scrutiny.

On a vote being taken, 15 Members voted for the amendment, 69 voted against and there were no abstentions.  The amendment therefore fell.

On a vote being taken on the substantive motion, 76 Members voted for the motion, there were no votes against and there were 8 abstentions.

Resolved

That the proposed amendments to the Council’s constitution, as set out in Appendix E of the report on the Housing Joint Venture (Limited Liability Partnership housing joint venture with Lovell Partnerships Ltd), be approved by Council.

The recommendations at page 36 of the agenda pack (page 6114 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

As Council were asked to note the report no vote was taken.

The recommendations at page 50 of the agenda pack (page 6128 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

Resolved

That the Council receives and notes the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26.

The recommendations at page 73 of the agenda pack (page 6151 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

As Council were asked to note the report no vote was taken.

The recommendations at page 91 of the agenda pack (page 6169 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

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

Resolved

1)    That the recommendation from Standards and Governance Committee on 30 June 2026 to accept the results from the 2025/26 CGR Stage 2 final consultation process be noted.

2)    That the final recommendations as set out in Appendices 1-14 of the report be agreed and publicised as the final outcome of the 2025/26 CGR.

The recommendations at page 353 of the agenda pack (page 6431 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

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

Resolved

1)    That the Members’ Code of Conduct be amended as set out by way of tracked changes in Appendix 1, with the changes accepted version of the Code as set out in Appendix 2 taking effect immediately.

2)    That such publicity about the changes to the Code be undertaken as the Monitoring Officer deems appropriate.

The recommendations at page 398 of the agenda pack (page 6476 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

Resolved

(a)   Development Plan Committee

Councillor Lindsay Burr MBE to stand down from the committee and become a named substitute for the committee.  Councillor Stuart Parsons to be appointed in her place.           

(b)   Thirsk and Malton Area Planning Committee

Councillor Lindsay Burr MBE to stand down from the committee and become a named substitute.  There is no other North Yorkshire Independent councillor in the area covered by the committee and so this position will become a vacancy.

(c)   Statutory Licensing Committee

Councillor Mike Jordan to stand down from the committee and Councillor Tim Grogan to be appointed in his place.

(d)   Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Philip Broadbank to stand down from the committee and Councillor Barbara Brodigan to be appointed in his place.

Councillor Nathan Hull to stand down from the committee and Councillor Caroline Dickinson to be appointed in his place.

(e)   North Yorkshire Police Fire and Crime Panel

Councillor Peter Wilkinson to stand down from the Panel and Councillor Heather Moorhouse to be appointed in his place.  To come into effect after the meeting of the North Yorkshire Police Fire and Crime Panel on 16 July 2026.

(f)    Standards and Governance Committee

Councillor Peter Wilkinson to stand down from the committee and Councillor Derek Bastiman to be appointed in his place.

(g)   General Licensing and Registration Committee

Councillor Peter Wilkinson to stand down from the committee and Councillor Clive Pearson to be appointed in his place.

(h)   Audit Committee

Councillor Peter Wilkinson to stand down from the Audit Committee and Councillor Roberta Swiers to be appointed in his place.

Councillor George Jabbour to step down from the Audit Committee and Councillor Robert Windass to be appointed in his place.

(i)    York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Councillor Gareth Dadd to stand down from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and Councillor Mark Crane to be appointed in his place.

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

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 399 – 400 of the agenda pack and pages 6477 to 6478 of the Minute Book.

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 401 – 402 of the agenda pack and pages 6479 to 6480 of the Minute Book.

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 403 – 405 of the agenda pack and pages 6481 to 6483 of the Minute Book.

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 407 – 410 of the agenda pack and pages 6485 to 6488 of the Minute Book.

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 411 – 414 of the agenda pack and pages 6489 to 6492 of the Minute Book.

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 415 – 418 of the agenda pack and pages 6493 to 6496 of the Minute Book.

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 419 – 420 of the agenda pack and pages 6497 to 6498 of the Minute Book.

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 421 – 425 of the agenda pack and pages 6499 to 6503 of the Minute Book.

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 427 – 428 of the agenda pack and pages 6505 to 6506 of the Minute Book.

The written statement of Councillor Alyson Baker having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 429 to 429 of the agenda pack and pages 6507 to 6508 of the Minute Book.

The written statement of Councillor David Staveley having previously been circulated and which appeared at page 431 of the agenda pack and page 6509 of the Minute Book.

The written statement of Councillor Caroline Goodrick having previously been circulated and which appeared at page 433 of the agenda pack and page 6511 of the Minute Book.  The Chair of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee then answered questions.

The written statement of Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 435 to 436 of the agenda pack and pages 6513 to 6514 of the Minute Book.

The written statement of Councillor Barbara Brodigan having previously been circulated and which appeared at page 437 of the agenda pack and page 6515 of the Minute Book.

The written statement of Councillor Andrew Williams having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 439 to 440 of the agenda pack and pages 6517 to 6518 of the Minute Book.

The written statement of Councillor Andrew Lee having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 441 to 442 of the agenda pack and pages 6519 to 6520 of the Minute Book.

The report on the Use of Special Urgency Procedures since the last meeting of the Council on 20 May 2026 was considered and the recommendation at page 445 of the agenda pack (page 6523 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

Resolved

That Council receives and notes the report.

The Chair of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel responded to a question under Council Procedure Rule 10.