Agenda and minutes

It was moved and seconded that CountyCouncillor David Ireton be elected Chairman of the County Council to serve until the Annual General Meeting of the North Yorkshire Council in 2023.

The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 87 for, none against and no abstentions.

Resolved -

That County Councillor David Ireton is elected Chairman of the County Council, to serve until the Annual General Meeting of the North Yorkshire Council in 2023.

County Councillor David Ireton then made his declaration of acceptance of office of Chairman of the County Council.

To move that the Minutes of the Quarterly meeting of the County Council held on 16 November 2022 and the Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of the County Council held on 16 November 2022, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the quarterly meeting of the County Council held on 16 November 2022, having been printed and circulated, are confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 86 for, none against and 1 abstentions.

It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of the County Council held on 16 November 2022, having been printed and circulated, are confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 86 for, none against and 1 abstention.

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Peter Lacey and Tony Randerson.

It was moved and seconded that County Councillor Roberta Swiers be elected Vice- Chairman of the County Council, to serve until the Annual General Meeting of the North Yorkshire Council in 2023.

The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 87 for, none against and no abstentions.

Resolved -

That County Councillor Roberta Swiers is elected Vice-Chairman of the County Council, to serve until the Annual General Meeting of the North Yorkshire Council in 2023.

County Councillor Roberta Swiers then made her declaration of acceptance of office of Vice-Chairman of the County Council and thanked the Council for her appointment.

Declarations of Interest were made as follows:

County Councillor Michael Harrison regarding agenda items 9 and 12.

County Councillor Steve Mason regarding agenda item 18b.

County Councillor Yvonne Peacock regarding agenda item 12.

County Councillors Kevin Foster, Andy Brown and Arnold Warneken regarding agenda item 13.

County Councillor Karl Arthur regarding agenda item 15b.

County Councillor Gareth Dadd regarding agenda item 9.

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

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

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

The Chairman reminded Members that, as per the email that Barry Khan, Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services, previously sent, that there is a legal requirement to ensure that Members are not in arrears for their Council Tax when voting on the budget.

The Chairman informed Members that he would consider the Motion on the new Constitution for the North Yorkshire Council, as outlined in agenda item 16 on the agenda, when the Constitution is being debated. It has been agreed with the proposer and seconder of the Motion that it be treated as an amendment.

The death of former County Councillor Jim Clark was noted. Jim was a County Councillor from 2001 to 2005 and then from 2009 to 2022, Chairman of the County Council in 2018/19 and 2019/20 and Chair of the Council’s Scrutiny of Health Committee from 2010 to 2019. Jim was also a Harrogate Borough Councillor.

The death of former County Councillor Bernard Bateman was noted. Bernard was a County Councillor from 1999 to 2017 and was Chairman of the County Council in 2013/14. He was Mayor of Ripon and a Ripon City Councillor. He was also a Harrogate Borough Councillor and Mayor of Harrogate.

A minute’s silence was held in memory of both former county councillors.

County Councillor Carl Les made a statement and answered questions, under Council Procedure Rule 2.3, as Leader of the County Council, a summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appear in the Minute Book (pages 14030 to 14031).

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, 17 February 2023.  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 Chairman who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

There was one public statement, as follows:

Mr Ian Conlan made a statement regarding the reduction in road casualties that would be achieved through the introduction of 20mph speed limits in North Yorkshire and asked the Council to commit £1 million of funding to this in 2023/24.

County Councillors Carl Les and Keane Duncan responded.

Mr Ian Conlan asked a supplementary question.

County Councillors Carl Les and Keane Duncan responded.

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2023/24, the Revenue Budget for 2023/24 and Council Tax for 2023/24

The recommendation at pages 23 to 24 of the report (pages 14032 to 14034 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

An amendment was moved by County Councillor Liz Colling and seconded by County Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright that the proposed £450,000 reduction in the Domestic Violence Budget be deferred and the money used to assist in the provision of services to support victims of domestic violence.

There followed a debate.

A named vote was taken by roll call and the motion was declared defeated 38 for, 48 against and no abstentions.

For:  County Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Phillip Barrett, Philip Broadbank, Eric Broadbent, Barbara Brodigan, Andy Brown, Lindsay Burr MBE, Liz Colling, Sam Cross, Melanie Davis, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Stephanie Duckett, Kevin Foster,  Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Janet Jefferson, Pat Marsh, Steve Mason, Rich Maw, John McCartney, Andrew Murday, David Noland, Bob Packham, Stuart Parsons, Kirsty Poskitt, Jack Proud, John Ritchie, Mike Schofield, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Monika Slater, Andy Solloway, Neil Swannick, Malcom Taylor, Matt Walker, Arnold Warneken, Dave Whitfield.

Against:  County Councillors Karl Arthur, Alyson Baker, Derek Bastiman, Nick Brown, John Cattanach, David Chance, Mark Crane, Gareth Dadd, Caroline Dickinson, Keane Duncan, Bridget Fortune, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Paul Haslam, Robert Heseltine, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Tom Jones, Mike Jordan, Nigel Knapton, Andrew Lee, Carl Les, Cliff Lunn, John Mann, Heather Moorhouse, Simon Myers, Andy Paraskos, Yvonne Peacock, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Janet Sanderson, Karin Sedgwick, David Staveley, Roberta Swiers, Angus Thompson, Philip Trumper, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass.

Abstentions:  None.

An amendment was moved by County Councillor Matt Walker and seconded by County Councillor Bryn Griffiths that an additional £1million be set aside from reserves on a one-off basis for environmental projects and to supplement existing pump-priming funding and to undertake feasibility study work to help build business cases for projects which lead to net zero.

There followed a debate.

County Councillor Andrew Williams moved that the vote be taken now.  This was seconded.  The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 77 for, 10 against and no abstentions.

A named vote was taken by roll call on the amendment regarding funding for environmental projects.  The motion was declared defeated with 30 for, 53 against and 4 abstentions.

For:  County Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Philip Broadbank, Eric Broadbent, Barbara Brodigan, Lindsay Burr MBE, Liz Colling, Melanie Davis, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Stephanie Duckett, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Pat Marsh, Steve Mason, Rich Maw, John McCartney, Andrew Murday, David Noland, Bob Packham, Stuart Parsons, Jack Proud, John Ritchie, Mike Schofield, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Monika Slater, Neil Swannick, Matt Walker, Arnold Warneken, Dave Whitfield.

Against:  County Councillors Karl Arthur, Alyson Baker, Philip Barrett, Derek Bastiman, Nick Brown, John Cattanach, David Chance, Mark Crane,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

County Councillor David Chance noted that the wording of the recommendation in the report had been updated to reflect that County Council was the decision maker.

The recommendation at page 312 of the main agenda (page 14333 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried, with 87 for, none against and no abstentions.

Resolved -

That the draft Council Plan be approved and that the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to make any necessary changes to the text, including reflecting decisions made by the County Council on the budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy, and updated performance data and key performance indicators.

New Constitution for North Yorkshire Council

The recommendations at pages 384 to 385 of the report (pages 14405 to 14406 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

County Councillor David Chance stated that the name of the new Council as specified in the recommendations at (i) should read ‘The North Yorkshire Council’ and not ‘North Yorkshire Council’ as indicted in the report, which was an error.

An amendment was moved by County Councillor Bryn Griffiths and seconded by County Councillor Stuart Parsons, as per the Notice of Motion that was included in the agenda for the meeting at item 16, regarding time limits for questions and statements.

There followed a debate.

The vote was taken on the proposed amendment and the motion was declared defeated with 36 for, 51 against and no abstentions.

An amendment was moved by County Councillor Andy Brown and seconded by County Councillor David Noland regarding the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules at page 662 in the agenda pack.

There followed a debate at the end of which it was agreed that the matter be referred to the Member Working Group on the Constitution for consideration and referral back to County Council.

County Councillor Kevin Foster withdrew an amendment that had previously been circulated to members in the Council Chamber regarding quoracy at meetings, as at page 600 in the agenda pack.

An amendment was moved by County Councillor Andy Brown and seconded by County Councillor Stuart Parsons regarding the appointment of Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees at page 662 in the agenda pack.

There followed a debate.

County Councillor Tim Grogan moved that the vote be taken now.  This was seconded.  The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 72 for, 15 against and no abstentions.

The vote was taken on the proposed amendment and the motion was declared defeated with 38 for, 47 against and 1 abstention.

An amendment was moved by County Councillor Andy Brown and seconded by County Councillor Kevin Foster regarding the process for dealing with Motions, as at page 608 in the agenda pack.

The vote was taken on the proposed amendment and the motion was declared defeated with 33 for, 50 against and 2 abstentions.

County Councillor Andy Brown withdrew an amendment that had previously been circulated to members in the Council Chamber regarding the Terms of Reference for the Area Constituency Committees, as at page 511 in the agenda pack.

An amendment was moved by County Councillor Andrew Murday and seconded by County Councillor Chris Aldred regarding the Terms of Reference for the Area Constituency Committees, as at page 509 in the agenda pack.

The vote was taken on the proposed amendment and the motion was declared carried with 87 for, none against and no abstentions.

An amendment was moved by County Councillor Philip Broadbank and seconded by County Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright regarding a move to the committee system of decision making with effect from the May 2023 AGM.

The vote  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

·                Revenue Budget and MTFS (this is scheduled for consideration earlier in the agenda)

·                Council Plan (this is scheduled for consideration earlier in the agenda)

·                Constitution (this is scheduled for consideration earlier in the agenda)

·                Report of the Member Working Group on Planning

·                Admission arrangements (school) (full copy of the report included in papers)

·                Housing Revenue Account Budget

·                North Yorkshire Council Pay Policy

·                Independent Remuneration Panel recommendations for 2023/24 (Member Allowances) (this is scheduled for consideration later in the agenda)

·                Counter fraud policies

·                Risk Management Policy

·                Approval of the appointment and remuneration of Chief Officers

·                York and North Yorkshire Devolution – Outcome of Consultation

·                Outcome of consultation on taxi licensing policy and conditions – verbal update following Executive on 21 February 2023

The quarterly meeting of the County Council was reconvened at 10.32am on Friday 24 February 2023, having been adjourned from Wednesday 22 February 2023.

The Chairman, County Councillor David Ireton, made announcements and reminded members of the arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies were recorded from County Councillor John McCartney, Tony Randerson and Pat Marsh.

Report of the Member Working Group on Planning

The recommendations at page 848 of the agenda pack (pages 14869 to 14870 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 73 for, none against and 14 abstentions.

Resolved -

That:

I.        A single local plan is prepared and progressed as far as possible within five years and:

a.    Work on the new local plan should start as soon as possible

b.    A separate Minerals and Waste Local Plan is prepared

c.     The following plan reviews should be halted in order to focus resources on preparing a new Local Plan:

• Craven Local Plan
• Hambleton Local Plan
• Harrogate District Local Plan
• Richmondshire Local Plan
• Scarborough Borough Local Plan.

II.        The following reviews should continue:

• Harrogate: Maltkiln New Settlement DPD
• The Ryedale Plan
• Selby Local Plan
• Minerals and Waste Joint Plan

III.        An Interim LDS, including key milestones and programme management arrangements, is prepared on the basis of the above recommendations

IV.        A specific report is prepared setting out the required evidence base and associated costs/resource to support the preparation of the new plan

V.        Formal governance arrangements should also be established to oversee plan making ahead of transformational change.

be approved.

Admission Arrangements 2024/25

The recommendation at page 855 of the agenda pack (page 14870 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 87 for, none against and no abstentions.

Resolved -

That:

i)             the proposed co-ordinated admission arrangements (Appendix 1)

ii)            the proposed co-ordinated in year admission arrangements (Appendix 1a)

iii)           the proposed admission policy for community and voluntary controlled schools (Appendix 2)

iv)           the proposed admission policy for nursery schools, schools with nursery classes and pre-reception classes, (Appendix 3)

v)            the proposed published admission numbers (PAN’s) for community and voluntary controlled schools as shown in appendices 4 (Primary) and 5 (Secondary)

be approved.

Housing Revenue Account Budget 2023/24

The recommendation at page 849 of the agenda pack (page 14870 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 84 for, 2 against and 1 abstention.

Resolved -

That:

a)    the HRA budget for 2023/24 as set out in paragraph 4.3, being a net expenditure of £2,219k to be funded from the HRA working balance.

b)    an increase of 7% be applied to social, affordable and hostel rents from 1 April 2023;

c)    an increase of 2% be applied to shared ownership rents from 1 April 2023.

be approved.

North Yorkshire Council Pay Policy

The recommendation at page 850 of the agenda pack (page 14871 of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

This was considered under agenda item 12 – the Report and Recommendations of the Executive.

To consider and approve the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel for 2023/24 (Member Allowances).

Independent Remuneration Panel Recommendations for 2023/24

The recommendations at page 916 of the agenda pack (page 14937 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 84 for, 1 against and 2 abstentions.

Resolved –

That the following be approved:

a.    A Basic Allowance for 2023/24 of £15,500

b.    Special Responsibility Allowances as detailed in Appendix 3

c.     That Councillors are invited to voluntarily return a proportion of their allowance if their attendance falls below a benchmark of 66%, except where there are mitigating circumstances such as illness, in line with the existing scheme for Councillors

d.    That, if there are any increases in the travel and subsistence rates payable to staff, a similar increase be made to the rates in the Members’ Allowances Scheme, to come into effect at the same time.

Appointments to Committees and Outside Bodies

The paper detailing all of the proposed appointments to the Strategic Planning Committee, the six Area Constituency Planning Committees, the General Licensing and Registration Committee, the Statutory Licensing Committee, the North York Moors National Park Authority and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority had been marked as ‘To Follow’ at the point that the papers for the County Council meeting were published.  The paper was circulated to all councillors by email on 23 February 2023 and published on 24 February 2023.

The recommendation at paragraph 14 of the report was moved by County Councillor Carl Les and seconded.

An amendment was moved by County Councillor Bryn Griffiths and seconded that County Councillor Mike Schofield replace County Council Chris Aldred on the General Licensing and Registration Committee and the Statutory Licensing Committee.

The vote was taken and the amendments unanimously supported.

A paper was circulated to all councillors by email on 23 February 2023 with the proposed Chairs and Vice Chairs of the planning and licensing committees.

The recommendations were moved by County Councillor Carl Les and seconded.

An amendment was moved by County Councillor Andy Brown and seconded by County Councillor David Noland proposing County Councillor Andy Brown as Vice Chair of the Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency planning Committee.

The vote was taken and the motion defeated with 26 for, 51 against and no abstentions.

The vote was taken on the substantive recommendations and declared carried, with 87 for, none against and no abstentions.

Resolved -

Appointments to the Strategic Planning Committee, the six Area Constituency Planning Committees, the General Licensing and Registration Committee, the Statutory Licensing Committee, the North York Moors National Park Authority and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority as below:

Strategic Planning Committee

Harrogate and KnaresboroughArea Constituency Planning Committee

Skipton and RiponArea Constituency Planning Committee

Richmond (Yorks)Area Constituency Planning Committee

Statements of Executive Members, in the order set out below, followed by the Statements of the Chairmen of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

County Councillor David Chance, Executive Member for Corporate Services, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 14966 to 14970).

County Councillor Keane Duncan, Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 14972 to 14973).

The Chairman, County Councillor David Ireton, adjourned the meeting of the County Council for lunch at 1.00pm.

The meeting was reconvened at 1.45pm.

County Councillor Michael Harrison, Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 14974 to 14975).

County Councillor Simon Myers, Executive Member for Planning for Growth, made a statement.  A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (page 14976).

County Councillor Janet Sanderson, Executive Member for Children’s Services, made a statement, a summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 14978 to 14982).

County Councillor Greg White, Executive Member for Working in localities, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 14984 to 14990).

County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, Executive Member for Education and Skills, answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 14992 to 14994).

County Councillor Gareth Dadd, Executive Member for Finance and Assets and Special Projects, made a statement and answered questions.  A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (page 14996).

County Councillor Derek Bastiman, Executive Member for Open to Business, answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 14998 to 14999).

The written statement of County Councillor Karin Sedgwick having previously been circulated, and which appears in the Minute Book (page 15000), was noted.

The written statement of County Councillor Andrew Lee having previously been circulated, and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 15002 to 15004), was noted.

The written statement of County Councillor David Staveley having previously been circulated, and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 15006 to 15007), was noted.

The written statement of County Councillor Barbara Brodigan having previously been circulated, and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 15008 to 15010), was noted.

The written statement of County Councillor Malcolm Taylor having previously been circulated, and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 15012 to 15013), was noted.

The written statement of County Councillor Karin Sedgwick having previously been circulated, and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 15014 to 15016), was noted.

The written statement of County Councillor David Ireton having previously been circulated, and which appears in the Minute Book (page 15018), was noted.

Notice of Motion regarding the new Constitution for North Yorkshire Council

“The proposed constitution contains clauses which markedly limit the time allowed for questions and statements by members in Council meetings to both the Leader and to members of the Executive.

·         Clause10.2 paragraph (c) in the section entitled COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES, refers to questions and statements to the Leader and limits them to a total of 10minutes.

·         Clause 10.3 paragraph (d) in the same section, similarly limits questions and statements to Executive member to a total of 5 minutes.

Were these two clauses to be implemented then effective questioning in the public forum of both the Leader and Executive Members would be guillotined.

Council therefore agrees to remove these two clauses from the proposed constitution.”

Proposer – County Councillor Bryn Griffiths

Seconder – County Councillor Stuart Parsons

The Chairman, County Councillor David Ireton, noted that the Motion regarding the Constitution has been dealt with as an amendment to agenda item 11.

Response to the Motion referred from County Council on Fair Tax to the Executive at the meeting of the County Council on 16 November 2023

The motion was moved by County Councillor Liz Colling and seconded by County Councillor Neil Swannick.

There was a debate at the end of which the vote was taken.  The motion was declared carried with 74 for, none against and no abstentions.

Response to the Motion referred from County Council on fracking activities for oil and gas in North Yorkshire that was referred to the Executive at the meeting of the County Council on 16 November 2023

The motion was moved by County Councillor Bryn Griffiths and seconded by County Councillor Arnold Warneken.

County Councillor Steve Mason left the room having previously declared an interest.

County Councillor Bryn Griffiths requested that the debate upon the motion be deferred to the May AGM to enable further investigation to be undertaken on the legal matters arising.

The Chairman, County Councillor David Ireton, ruled that the matter be dealt with at the meeting today.

There was a debate at the end of which the vote was taken.  The motion was declared defeated with 25 for, 44 against and 5 abstentions.

The report on the Use of Special Urgency Procedures since the last meeting of the County Council in November 2022 was considered and the recommendation at page 1013 of the agenda pack (page 15046 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

Resolved –

That the report on the Use of Special Urgency Procedures since the last meeting of the County Council in November 2022, be noted.

There were no Council Procedure Rule 10 questions.

The Chairman, County Councillor David Ireton, noted that this was the last Full Council meeting of North Yorkshire County Council.

The meeting ended at 3pm.