Agenda and minutes

To accept the resignation of the current Chair of the Area Committee and to elect a Chair for the remainder of 2025/26

Members accepted the resignation of the current chair of the Area Committee, Councillor Richard Foster and voted for the appointment of a Chair for the remainder of 2025/26.

Resolved –

That, Councillor Robert Heseltine is duly appointed Chair of the Skipton and Ripon Area Committee for the remainder of the municipal year 2025/26.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2025 as a correct record

Resolved –

The minutes of the meeting of the Skipton and Ripon Area Committee held on 29 May 2025 were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

All Members are invited to declare at this point any interests they have in items appearing on this agenda, including the nature of those interests.

Councillor Murday declared an interest in item 9 on the agenda as he was Chair of the Joint Advisory Committee for the Nidderdale National Landscape.

Councillor Brodigan declared an interest in discussions on the Home to School Transport Policy as she was a member of the Appeals Committee.

An opportunity for Members to discuss issues of key concern in the constituency.

The Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith MP attended the meeting remotely and in commending the outgoing Chair on his leadership of the Area Committee and his appointment to the Executive, also welcomed the new Chair, Councillor Heseltine.

Sir Julian provided an update on the work that was currently being undertaken.  This included information on the closure of the Arla factory in Settle, working with the Leader on the Council’s financial challenges, campaigning for a rape gang inquiry, immigration issues and the Council’s new Home to School Transport policy/appeals process. 

Members raised the following points during the discussion:

·       The potential for a mixed development on the Summerbridge Sawmill site.

·       Nidderdale National Landscape as with other National Landscapes received a basic amount of seed funding with the remainder being provided from successful financial bids to other funding organisations.  Could an invitation to visit Nidderdale be made to the new Secretary of State for DEFRA.

·       Concerns were raised about the plight of farmers who followed traditional stock farming methods with the increase in feed, National Insurance etc.  They were losing money in favour of bio-diversity schemes and there could be a generation of farmers giving up. 

·       Issues relating to the new Home to School Transport Policy and the need to be flexible and sympathetic bearing in mind the rural topography of the County whilst noting that the Council’s finances were under strain.

·       The closure of the Kerry factory plant in Birstwith and the progress made regarding finding potential interested parties to bring much needed jobs to the area.  Continued assistance and support from Sir Julian would be appreciated. 

Resolved –

That the update is noted.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice and supplied the text to Stephen Loach, Vicky Davies or Christian Brennan, democraticservices.west@northyorks.gov.uk by midday on Monday 8 September 2025, three working days before the day of the meeting.  Each speaker must limit themselves to 3 minutes.

Members of the public who have given notice will be invited to speak:

•                at this point in the meeting if their questions/statements relate to matters which are not otherwise on the agenda (subject to an overall time limit of 30 minutes)

•                when the relevant agenda item is being considered if they wish to speak on a matter which is on the agenda for this meeting.

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.

A statement had been received from Ms Rebecca Owen, in accordance with the public participation scheme and it was read out by her representative, Mr Christopher Jackson:

“I would like to show how the Home to School Transport Policy is failing local families, and to ask for you to add your voice to the call to fix it.

Take Ripon, Ripon Academy and Outwood School are just 49 metres apart and served by the same bus.  Pupils from villages to the north can ride it free to either school, but those from the south can only ride it free to Outwood because the gate is slightly closer to their homes.  One bus.  Two schools.  49 metres apart.  Can you see why parents, now having to pay £818 for a seat on that bus, feel ripped off?  And since that pass must be applied for every year – and can be revoked with just one week’s notice – can you understand their worry?

Or consider Kettlewell.  Parents of 4-year-olds are being told their “nearest” school is in Hawes, requiring a daily journey over the highest road in England – treacherous and often impassable in winter.  Councillor Richard Foster has said this himself.  But officers dismiss parents’ views, claiming a parent’s view of whether a route is safe isn’t relevant and that routes are only assessed once a child is enrolled.  Dales parents, unwilling to gamble with their child’s safety, have had to give up free transport and pay thousands just to get their family to primary school.

Of course, opting our is exactly what this policy change was designed to do.  Stuart Carlton admitted that if every child took up their entitlement to transport to their nearest school, it would cost the Council more than if the old system had been retained.  The only way any money can be saved is if parents opt out and pay over the odds for a bus pass.  That’s the model.  School transport in North Yorkshire is now being run by money men – Councillor Dadd and Mr Fielding.  In their rush to save a few quid, they have hoodwinked you into putting children’s best interests – and often their welfare – at risk.

Common sense has been abandoned.  The way this policy is being applied – along with how the appeals process is run – smacks of unfairness.  Yet at least half of you in this room who voted for this mess are sitting back and saying nothing.

I’m sick of hearing the same excuses from officers.  They’re not the ones we voted for – you are.  Yet too many of you who approved this policy are staying silent.

Councillors, this won’t blow over – its about to get worse.  Another 10,000 parents are choosing schools right now, and more families are about to be caught in this chaos.  The pressure on you will only grow. 

So I ask those of you who voted for this despite the warnings: whose side are you  ...  view the full minutes text for item 197.

To consider the 2024/25 Annual Report of the work of the Area Committee

Members considered the Skipton and Ripon Area Committee Annual Report 2024/25.  The report provided a summary of the Committee’s activity over the last year and an overview of what had been achieved.  Particular highlights were set out in the report which also noted that three petitions had been received as well as public participation regarding road safety within the Bentham parish; regeneration in the Craven Local Plan and the Home to School Transport Policy.  Regular updates were also received from the local MP as well as an annual update from the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Members discussed the report and made the following comments:

·         The Skipton & Ripon Area Committee was punching above its weight.

·         We need to pursue our economic development work, particularly as Ripon had been left the poor relation by the former Harrogate BC and that ought to be put right by this Committee.  Ripon was now starting to prosper.

·         The Committee had received a variety of reports which told the public what we do as a Council.

·         The Committee was at its best when it was holding organisations to account i.e. Yorkshire Water and the Modality Partnership (Fisher Medical Practice in Skipton).

·         In noting that Pendle Borough Council’s Area Committees were very well attended by the public, it was felt that if North Yorkshire’s Area Committees had decision making powers, public attendance would be likely to be improved.

·         The Committee should hold some of its meetings in Ripon and Pateley Bridge.

·         The Council’s Scrutiny Committees dealt with issues that should come to Area Committees first rather than ending up on the Executive’s desk.

·         Whilst not particularly relevant to Area Committees it was mentioned that Area Planning Committees were regularly being cancelled due to lack of business as decisions had been taken away from local Members.

The Chair requested that the above comments be sent to the Leader of the Council and the Executive.

Resolved –

That the Annual Report is received and its contents noted.

To receive a verbal update on the work of the Youth Council in the Committee area.

The Chair welcomed Mr Noah Garbutt, Chair to Skipton Youth Council who gave a verbal update on the work of the Youth Council.  He talked about the annual campaign which, this year was anti-vaping. They had run a Sheep Day stall, the Colour Run and a Women’s Aid stall, all of which had increased public engagement.  Each year they undertook a Keep Skipton Tidy competition and in 2024 that had proved a great success with over 96 young people involved.  Unfortunately, the litter pick did not go ahead in 2025 as North Yorkshire Council’s Waste Management team did not provide the littler pickers needed.  The Youth did not receive a response to a letter sent to the local MP or to a complaint raised with North Yorkshire Council.  They hoped to carry out their Skipton Tidy litter pick in 2026 and had secured some funding from the Gala Committee.  The Youth Council had also worked with NYC’s Environmental Sustainability Team on sustainable projects and were now seeking a new campaign for 2026.

Members discussed the Youth Council’s updated and made the following comments:

·         That it would be good to extend the boundaries of the Youth Council and network to different areas.

·         Waste Management were usually very helpful so could not understand why litter picks had not been provided.

·         Email the Chair or a Member of the Committee for any support you feel we could provide.

·         Ripon had a Ripon Youth Council with hubs.

·         Young people’s views were extremely important.

Resolved - 

The Committee supported all the work done by Skipton Youth Council and thanked the Chair for his informative update.

To provide an overview of the Nidderdale National Landscape Management Plan

review, including the current public consultation and the process for adoption by North Yorkshire Council.

The Corporate Director – Environment submitted a report providing an overview of the Nidderdale National Landscape Management Plan review, including the current public consultation and the process for adoption by North Yorkshire Council, for consideration by the Area Constituency Committee. 

The plan set out objectives for 2025-30 across a range of key areas that would enable significant progress to be made:

·         Climate change.

·         Living and working.

·         Heritage and historic environment.

·         Natural recovery.

·         Understanding and enjoyment.

·         Landscape.

Shaun Berry, Head of Environment and Sustainability and Iain Mann, Nidderdale National Landscape Manager gave a presentation on the preparation and review of the plan which was a statutory requirement as set out in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.  The development of the plan had been developed in collaboration with a wide stakeholder group and public consultation.

A new duty had been placed on relevant authorities to seek to further the conservation and enhancement of protected landscapes. Successful delivery of the Management Plan’s objectives required action by a wide range of organisations in conjunction with farmers, landowners, land managers and local communities across the National Landscape. 

In terms of the financial implications, the National Landscape team is mainly funded through external monies from DEFRA, Natural England and other sources.  North Yorkshire makes an important match funding contribution to the core DEFRA and in 24/25 is £80,700 as part of the overall £2,292,000.

Members discussed the report and the following comments were made:

·         The plan was welcomed and the various organisations i.e. public transport operators needed to buy in to it. 

·         Parts of the upland are quite damaged and it needed not only native trees but fruit trees as climate change will make us struggle to provide food for the population.

·         The report was trying to be all things to all people.

·         More weight needed towards agriculture otherwise farming will be sacrificed for tourism.

·         The land needs to work for the people.

·         Engaging with the new Local Plan process in relation to affordable housing was vitally important.

Resolved –

That the draft 2025-2030 Nidderdale National Landscape Management Plan be supported for approval and adoption by the Council following the completion of the period of public consultation.

To inform Members of a review of car parking provision in North Yorkshire.

Steve Brown, the Head of Car Parking, gave a presentation to the Committee on the Council’s strategic parking principles:

·     Supporting the economy.

·     Delivering good quality services.

·     Financial stability.

·     Implementation framework.

Members felt it was important to recognise North Yorkshire had diverse economies  and there was an unfairness in charges across the County.  They were concerned that increased charges may affect the vitality of communities.  A Member suggested that the introduction of residents’ parking schemes could be considered as residents already paid Council Tax and this would them avoid them from feeling they were being ‘double taxed’.

During the discussion it was also mentioned that Integrated public transport needed improvement as most journeys started in a car before using a bus i.e. Ripley was a particular case in point.

Resolved –

That the presentation and parking principles are noted.

To consider a presentation providing further details in respect of the Council’s Destination Management Plan

Helen Suckling, Partnership and Commercial Manager, delivered a presentation outlining details of the on the adopted Destination Management Plan for North Yorkshire 2024-2034.

The following comments were made:

·         Over tourism in certain areas such as Grassington, Malham and Burnsall has had a negative effect, so we need to promote other areas.

·         Integrated transport going east/west is a problem, the Council needs to engage with the Combined Authority to seek improvements to the transport network.

·         Some cafes and restaurants are only opening part time due to the increase in NI for employers and this was killing those businesses.

·         Officers were working with hoteliers to encourage young people to develop a career.

·         Important that Tourist Information Centres were being promoted as people still liked talking to someone in person.

·         Leeds-Bradford airport was nearby.

·         No initiatives were off the table, however available finance was a consideration and the Council was looking to the Combined Authority to provide additional funding.

Resolved –

That the Destination Management Plan and presentation are noted.

As no Officer is available to attend today’s meeting Members are invited to identify housing issues they wish to discuss at the next meeting of the Committee

As no officer was available to attend the Area Committee, Members were invited to identify housing issues they wished to discuss at the next meeting of the Committee and were requested to inform Democratic Services accordingly.

To invite Members to consider, amend and add to the Committee’s work programme.

Members reviewed the work programme and suggested the following additions:

·         Update on Engine Shed Lane, Skipton link road.

·         Transport around Airedale Hospital which currently seemed biased towards cars.

·         Level crossing at Cross Hills causing huge traffic gridlocks which was a daily occurrence.

·         Consider how area committees in neighbouring authorities operate as they would appear to get more public attendance and engagement.

Resolved –

That the above additions be made to the work programme.

There were no urgent items of business.

Thursday, 4 December 2025 at 10.00am at a venue to be determined.

4 December 2025 at 10am.