Agenda and draft minutes

To move that the Minutes of the Quarterly Meetings held on 13 November 2024 and 14 February 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 quarterly meeting of the Council held on 13 November 2024 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.  

It was moved and seconded that the Minutes of the Budget and Council Plan meeting of the Council held on 14 February 2025 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, John Cattanach, Paul Haslam, Janet Jefferson, Bob Packham, Janet Sanderson and Mike Schofield.

The Chair advised that members who were school governors did not have to declare an interest under the Code of Conduct on the item on school admission arrangements (Minute 152), as this was not a role carried out for profit or gain.

Declarations of interest were made as follows:

Councillor Karl Arthur at Minute 156 (c) as he worked for Network Rail which was involved in the Transforming Cities Fund programme.

Councillor Andy Solloway at Minute 152 since he was a private tutor at selective schools in the Skipton and Ripon area.

Councillor Matt Walker at Minute 156 (b) since he was an elected member of Knaresborough Town Council.

Councillor Mike Jordan at Minute 156 (b) since he was an elected member of Sherburn in Elmet Town Council, at Minute 147 since he had worked in the chemicals industry, and at Minute 150 since he was Vice-Chair of the Trans Pennine Trail Board and had been invited to an event by Conservative Friends of Cycling.

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.

In respect of the two Notices of Motion (i) Register of disposable assets and (ii) Proposed change to the Constitution, the Chair advised that she had determined that both be referred to the Scrutiny Board and then relevant overview and scrutiny committee (and then for (ii) to the Member Working Group on the Constitution) which would then make recommendations to the May 2025 meeting of Council.

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 45 and 46 of the agenda pack and in the Minute Book at pages 2861 to 2862.

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, 21 February 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.         Register of disposable assets

That this council provides a comprehensive register of its disposable assets worth 100k or more by 30 June 2025.

Proposer:        Cllr Kevin Foster

Seconder:       Cllr Andy Brown

2.         Proposed change to the Constitution

Add as a footnote to the existing Section 4:02 Functions of the Full Council.

Any proposal to amend or update any of these above functions are to be presented in full and where necessary costed, with the published relevant Full Council Agenda.

Proposer:        Cllr Chris Aldred

Seconder:       Cllr Bryn Griffiths

See Chair’s Announcements (Minute 142)

Since neither of the proposers of the motions wished to move that their motions be debated at the meeting, both motions (i) Register of disposable assets and (ii) Proposed change to the Constitution were referred to the Scrutiny Board without comment.

Full Council was requested to consider the recommendations of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee following consideration of a Notice of Motion which had been referred to it by Council at its meeting held on 15 May 2024.  The recommendations of the Committee were set out in the report of that Committee at page 51 of the agenda and were that Full Council:

1. Note the points raised in the attached reports

2. Note the recommendations made by the Care Experience Task and Finish Group at Appendix 3

3. Consider the Notice of Motion that was referred to Scrutiny Board by Full Council at their meeting of 15 May 2024 and make a recommendation at today’s meeting.

The original motion that was to be debated is as detailed below:

Young people leaving social care are already in a vulnerable situation, and they are often subject to discrimination when attempting to get a job or find a place to live. Indeed, some housing providers directly stipulate “no care leavers”.

The effect of this discrimination is to push these young people, who are already vulnerable, into hostels and shelters where they are easy targets for exploitation and victimisation by criminal gangs.

We call on this council to join over sixty other local councils in the UK by treating care experience as if it is a protected characteristic by:

·       Ensuring that during development of future policy and service provision, impact on those who have had care experience is considered alongside impact on those with other protected characteristics.

·       Including care leavers and children in care in its equality objectives and reports, alongside those with other protected characteristics.

·       Proactively seeking out and listening to people who have experience of care, especially when considering decisions which affect them.

·       Formally calling on central government to add care experience as a protected characteristic in the Equality Act, as recommended by the 2022 Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.

·       Formally calling on other bodies, such as academy trusts, housing providers, and the new combined authority to treat care experience as if it is a protected characteristic in similar ways.

Proposer Councillor Andrew Timothy

Seconder Councillor Chris Aldred

The motion was moved by Councillor Timothy and seconded by Councillor Aldred.

During the debate, a named vote was requested and over 20 Members stood in support.  The vote was taken by roll call on the motion, and declared defeated with 36 for, 45 against, and one abstention.

For:  Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Philip Broadbank, Eric Broadbent, Barbara Brodigan, Andy Brown, Lindsay Burr MBE, Sam Cross, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Melanie Davis, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Stephanie Duckett, Kevin Foster, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Mike Jordan, Peter Lacey, Steve Mason, Rich Maw, John McCartney, Andrew Murday, David Noland, Stuart Parsons, Kirsty Poskitt, Jack Proud, Tony Randerson, John Ritchie, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright,  Dan Sladden, Monika Slater, Andy Solloway, Neil Swannick, Andrew Timothy, Matt Walker and Arnold Warneken.

Against:  Councillors Karl Arthur, Alyson Baker, Derek Bastiman, Nick Brown, David Chance, Mark Crane, Gareth Dadd, Caroline Dickinson, Keane  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

Full Council was requested to consider the recommendations of the Scrutiny of Health Committee following consideration of a Notice of Motion which had been referred to it by Council at its meeting held on 21 February 2024.  The recommendations of the Committee were set out in the report of that Committee at page 73 of the agenda and were that:

a)    having considered the reports, and having examined and debated the competing evidence on the safety and usage of glyphosate, the motion not be upheld. 

b)    the Highways and Parks and Grounds teams’ efforts to minimise usage of glyphosate, and explore alternatives, be supported.

c)     the efforts to reduce risk to operatives using glyphosate are minimised by the use of appropriate PPE, adequate and up-to-date training, and the use of Continuous Droplet Application where possible, be supported.

d)    it be noted that the reduction of the current total budget by £100,000, from its current level of £144,000 by ceasing purchase of glyphosate, cannot be supported as there are no appropriate alternatives which would maintain highways and parks at their current standards.

The original motion that was to be debated is as detailed below:

To reduce the budget for mowing and spraying by at least £100,000 a year and to cease all purchases of any products containing glyphosate or neonicotinoids.

Proposer Councillor Andy Brown

Seconder Councillor David Noland

The motion was moved by Councillor Brown and seconded by Councillor Noland.

The motion was then debated.

On a vote being taken the motion was declared defeated with 17 for, 58 against, and 7 abstentions.

Full Council was requested to consider the recommendations of the Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee following consideration of a Notice of Motion which had been referred to it by Council at its meeting held on 13 November 2024.  The recommendations of the Committee were set out in the report of that Committee at page 79 of the agenda and were that the following motions are not supported:

i.                The Motion on Youth Council Engagement

ii.              The Motion on Community Impact Assessment

YOUTH COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT

The original motion that was to be debated is as detailed below:

Many British young people are very interested in how society should be run. In March this year, UK Youth reported, “88 per cent of young people believe it is important to have a say in the decisions politicians make about public life”. Despite this, according to an IPPR report, turnout in the 2024 general election was lowest in the constituencies with the lowest average age.

It is clear that many young people feel that most politicians, regardless of political party or lack thereof, are not interested in supporting them with the issues they face. This adversely affects their engagement in elections and the democratic process as a whole.

Children and young people are our future. Engaging them in politics is crucial to ensure the survival of institutions of this country.

Council therefore agrees to more fully involve young people in the democratic decision-making process by:

?      Inviting the Youth Assembly of North Yorkshire to prepare a single motion each year to be submitted and considered at the Full Council meeting held before the 1st of September of that year.

?      Amending the council constitution such that the motion may be proposed by the chair of the Youth Assembly.

?      Genuinely debating and considering the motion in the same way as if a North Yorkshire Councillor had proposed it.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1.  Goal 4: Quality Education - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

2.  Goal 5: Gender Equality - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

3.  Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities - Reduce inequality within and among countries.

4.  Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

5.  Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

Proposer Councillor Andrew Timothy

Seconder Councillor Barbara Brodigan

The motion was moved by Councillor Timothy and seconded by Councillor Brodigan.

After a lengthy debate, Councillor Timothy decided to withdraw his motion.

COMMUNITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The original motion that was to be debated is as detailed below:

Reflecting the declared intent of North Yorkshire Council to become the most local large Unitary in England, and in light of this Council adopting the United Nations Sustainability and Development Goals (SDGs) as the basis for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

The proposer of the motion, Councillor Steve Mason confirmed that it had been withdrawn on the understanding that the Chair of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be writing to the relevant Secretary of State about the principles in the Climate and Nature Bill.

Full Council was requested to consider the recommendations of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee following consideration of a Notice of Motion which had been referred to it by Council at its meeting held on 13 November 2024.  The recommendations of the Committee were set out in the report of that Committee at page 85 of the agenda and were that:

Full Council is asked to consider the recommendations of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee to:

i)               Note the update on Active Travel documents in North Yorkshire

ii)              recommend back to Full Council at its meeting on 26 February 2025 that an Active Travel Strategy is pursued as part of the York and North Yorkshire Local Transport Plan in collaboration with York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and City of York Council.

Separately, to these recommendations back to Full Council, the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee will set up a working group on Active Travel. The terms of reference are to be drawn up, but it is set to focus on how the vision and values for Active Travel integrate within the Council Plan document and also to engage and contribute to the wider development of the new York and North Yorkshire Local Transport Plan.

The original motion that was to be debated is as detailed below:

North Yorkshire Council recognises the importance of promoting active travel as a key component in improving public health, boosting local economies, connecting communities, reducing congestion, improving air quality, and contributing to our commitments on climate change and sustainability as specified in NYC’s adopted Sustainable Development Goals.

Therefore, North Yorkshire Council:

·       Commits to develop and implement an Active Travel Strategy by December 2025, that will outline a clear framework for promoting and supporting walking, cycling, and other active travel modes across the county.

·       Uses data from the already completed ‘Let’s Talk Climate’ and ‘Let’s Talk Transport’ consultations to ensure that the strategy reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our communities

·       Incorporates the following key principles into the strategy:

1.      Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure that active travel infrastructure is accessible to all residents.

2.      Safety: Prioritise the development of safe walking and cycling routes, especially near schools, town centres, and residential areas.

3.      Integration with Public Transport: Improve connections between active travel routes and public transport hubs to encourage multimodal journeys.

4.      Sustainability: Promote active travel as a means to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality across North Yorkshire.

5.      Health and Wellbeing: Recognise and promote the physical and mental health benefits associated with active travel.

6.      Identifies potential funding sources to support the implementation of the strategy, including national grants, regional partnerships, and private sector collaboration.

7.      Sets measurable goals and a timeline for the implementation of the Active Travel Strategy, ensuring regular monitoring and review processes to track progress and outcomes.

8.      Works with neighbouring local authorities and regional bodies to ensure that the strategy aligns with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 150.

·                     Council Pay Policy

·                     The Future of the Selby Local Plan

Council Pay Policy

The recommendation at page 90 of the agenda pack (page 2906 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

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

Resolved 

That the Pay Policy is approved by Council for publication.

The Future of the Selby Local Plan

It was noted that the recommendation at page 91 of the agenda pack (page 2907 of the Minute Book) contained a typographical error, and that ‘emergency’ should read ‘emerging’.  Subject to this amendment, the recommendation was moved and seconded.

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

Resolved

That the work on the emerging Selby Local Plan is ceased.

[The Executive also recommended (not to Full Council) that:

       i.         The council works proactively to bring forward sites within the Selby area to seek to maintain land supply, using those sites identified within the draft Selby Local Plan as the starting point for discussions with site promoters/developers.

     ii.         The council continues to promote the regeneration of Tadcaster, working with key stakeholders to support the delivery of sites and to bring derelict buildings back into use and work to ensure that evidence in respect of delivery is secured as we move through the preparation of the North Yorkshire Local Plan.?]

In moving the recommendations at page 93 of the agenda pack (page 2909 of the Minute Book), the Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills, Councillor Annabel Wilkinson drew members’ attention to Appendix 1 of the report which had been subsequently amended and republished to avoid any confusion between the School Admission Arrangements 2026-27 and the Home to School Travel Policy. Officers had amended Appendix 1 to clarify advice to parents about the implications of both Admission and Home to School Travel policies. There was no change to the policies themselves.  There were also some minor amendments in the republished version to correct factual errors/typographical errors in Appendices 8 and 9 of the report.  The recommendations were seconded. 

The report as amended was then debated.  During the debate, Councillor Bryn Griffiths proposed an amendment to the report in respect of Appendix 1, paragraph 9 that the term ‘suitable’ be replaced by ‘North Yorkshire’.  The amendment was seconded.

Having taken legal advice on his amendment which would have given rise to a conflict between the School Admission Arrangements 2026-27 and the Home to School Travel Policy, Councillor Griffiths withdrew the amendment.

On a vote being taken the original motion was declared carried with 73 votes for, two against and one abstention.

Resolved

(i)             That the proposed Admission Arrangements for 2026/27 be approved including:

• The proposed co-ordinated admission arrangements
• The proposed co-ordinated in-year admission arrangements
• The proposed admission policy for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools
• The proposed admission policy for Ripon Grammar Boarding School
• The proposed admission policy for Community and Voluntary Controlled Nursery Schools, Schools with Nursery Classes and Pre-Reception Classes
• The proposed published admission numbers (PAN’s) for community and voluntary controlled schools

(ii)            That the relevant areas for consultation on the School Admission Arrangements remain unchanged.

The recommendations at page 161 of the agenda pack (page 2977 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

The motion was then debated.

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 72 votes for, four against and no abstentions.

Resolved

1.              That Council approves the:

                i.                  Adoption of an alternate fortnightly kerbside recycling scheme across North Yorkshire providing residents with two wheeled bins for recycling and one wheeled bin for fortnightly residual collections.

              ii.                  A bespoke kerbside service in areas that cannot adopt an alternate fortnightly two recycling bin scheme.

2.              That Council notes that the capital and revenue funding requirement of the decision is built into the 25/26 budget and medium-term financial strategy which was approved by Council on 14 February 2025.

The recommendations at page 200 of the agenda pack (page 3016 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

The recommendations at page 200 of the agenda pack encompassed the recommendations (a) to (j) originally considered by the Executive at its meeting on 7 January 2025 at page 210 of the agenda pack.  Recommendations (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), (h) and (i) were voted on without debate.

Debate ensued on recommendations (f) the proposed amendments to Council Procedure Rule 10.6(b) as set out by way of tracked changes at Appendix 5 to this report be recommended to full Council for approval; and (j) the proposed amendments to Council Procedure Rule 11 as set out in Appendix 10 to this report be recommended to full Council for approval.

In respect of recommendation (j) it was moved by Councillor Andy Brown and seconded by Councillor Kevin Foster that the amendment be referred back to the Constitution Working Group on the grounds that the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services’ proposed further amendments to Council Procedure Rule 11.1(i) in place of those included in Appendix 10 to the report to the Executive (paragraph 2.4 of the covering report) were unclear, particularly on the important point of whether any discussion or questions would be permitted on the motion referred back to Full Council.

Councillor Brown’s amendment was debated at length at the meeting until it was accepted by the Executive Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Heather Phillips, who had moved the report’s recommendations, because of the confusion apparent at the meeting in respect of the wording at paragraph 2.4 of the covering report.

On a vote being taken on the motion, the motion was declared carried unanimously in respect of respect of recommendations (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), (h) and (i), the motion was declared carried with 42 in favour, 34 against, and no abstentions in respect of recommendation (f), whilst in respect of recommendation (j) the proposed amendment to the Constitution was referred back to the Constitution Working Group for further consideration.

The recommendations at page 333 of the agenda pack (page 3149 of the Minute Book) were moved and seconded.

A further change to the membership of the Statutory Licensing Committee was proposed by the Conservative Group that Councillor Derek Bastiman replace Councillor Peter Wilkinson.

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

Resolved that the Council confirms the following appointments:

Statutory Licensing Committee

·         Councillor Steve Mason to step down from the committee and Councillor Barbara Brodigan to be appointed.

·         Councillor Peter Wilkinson to step down from the committee and Councillor Derek Bastiman to be appointed

Appeals Committee (Home to School Transport)

The appointment of substitutes for the committee as follows:

·         Councillor Tom Jones and Councillor Yvonne Peacock (Conservative and Independents)

·         Councillor Chris Aldred (Liberal Democrats and Liberal)

·         Councillor Eric Broadbent (Labour).

Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Mike Schofield to step down from the committee and Councillor Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff to be appointed.

Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Mr Gary McVeigh-Kaye to replace Mr Ross Strachan as the Secondary Teacher representative, co-opted and non-voting, on the committee.

Councillor Mark Crane, Executive Member for Open to Business, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 335 - 340 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3151 to 3155).

Councillor Heather Phillips, 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 appeared at pages 341 - 348 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3157 to 3163).

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 appeared at pages 349 - 350 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3165 to 3166).

Councillor Michael Harrison, Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, made a statement. There were no questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 351 - 352 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3167 to 3168).

Councillor Simon Myers, Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 353 - 356 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3169 to 3172).

The written statement of Councillor Janet Sanderson, Executive Member for Children and Families having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 357 – 358 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3173 to 3174), was noted.  A written response would be sent to a pre-submitted question regarding child protection.

Councillor Greg White, Executive Member for Managing our Environment, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 359 - 362 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3175 to 3178).

Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 363 - 366 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3179 to 3181).

Councillor Gareth Dadd, Executive Member for Finance and Assets, made a statement and answered questions. A summary of the key points of which had previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 367 - 368 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3183 to 3184).

The written statement of Councillor Karin Sedgwick having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 369 – 370 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3185 to 3186), was noted. The Chair of the Scrutiny Board then responded to questions.

The written statement of Councillor David Staveley having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 371 – 374 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3195 to 3196), was noted.

The written statement of Councillor Barbara Brodigan having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 375 – 376 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (page 3197), was noted.  The Chair of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee then responded to questions.

The written statement of Councillor Malcolm Taylor having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 377 – 378 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3199 to 3200), was noted.

The written statement of Councillor Karin Sedgwick having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 379 – 380 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3187 to 3189), was noted.

The written statement of Councillor Andrew Williams having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 381 – 382 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3191 to 3192), was noted.

The written statement of Councillor Andrew Lee having previously been circulated and which appeared at pages 383 – 384 of the agenda pack and which appears in the Minute Book (pages 3193 to 3194), was noted.

The report on the Use of Special Urgency Procedures since the meeting of the Council on 13 November 2024 was considered and the recommendation at page 388 of the agenda pack (page 3204 of the Minute Book) was moved and seconded.

Resolved

That full Council receives and notes the report.

There were no Council Procedure Rule 10 questions.