Agenda

To move that the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 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, 15 May 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.

Supporting & Strengthening Community Transport

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  ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

The Notice of Motion as proposed by Councillor Peter Lacey (and seconded by Councillor Kirsty Poskitt) states:

Council acknowledges the commitment made in advance of assuming Unitary status to being the most local large unitary Authority.  Council further recognises the means by which such localism is being pursued including double devolution and the development of community partnerships.  However, in a recent officer review of delegated powers by Area Committees a number of these powers were not being regularly exercised.  Council recognises that it is for Area Committees to determine their own work programme but equally that delegated powers should and could be better facilitated and enabled by changes in the way that Council business is run.

Council therefore commits:

1.     To ensure that the data and intelligence necessary for Area Committees to exercise their powers is aligned to the new Divisions expected to be finalised in January 2027 and therefore no longer reflects former District and Borough boundaries wherever possible and by September 2026 at the latest.

2.     To put in a place a robust process to enable Area Committees to exercise delegated power 20 to “make recommendations to the Corporate Director of Community Development on the expenditure of Community Infrastructure Levy and appropriate section 106 expenditure”.

3.     To develop a list of services likely to be more effectively delivered by Town and Parish Councils and/or in partnership with local community and voluntary groups and that, subject to business cases, there would be a presumption for double devolution for these services.

4.     To ensure that once County-wide policies are agreed, and where there is a commitment to locally sensitive implementation, that Area Committees are provided with the necessary officer support to develop and sign off plans, for example in the cases of Town Investment Plans or Local Parking Plans, consistent with delegated powers 17-19, 21 & 22 concerned local economic development.

5.     To undertake the equivalent of a post implementation review of activities designed to promote localism that identifies the most up to date best practice in local governance arrangements in similar large Unitary Authorities and learn from this by bringing a report and recommendations back to the appropriate decision-making body including any recommendations on the extent, effectiveness and realisation of delegated powers in the NYC Constitution.

This motion was referred from the Council meeting on 12 November 2025 to Scrutiny Board and then to Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 16 March 2026.