Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nick Brown, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister and Nathan Hull.

Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting of the Skipton and Ripon Area Committee held on 11 September 2025 were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, Members agreed to bring item 8 – Town Investment Plan Programme Update forward.

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 Andrew Williams declared an interest in relation to Minute 210 on the basis that he was a member of Ripon City Council and a Director of Ripon BID.

Councillor Barbara Brodigan declared an interest in relation to Minute 210 as she was a member of Ripon City Council.

To inform Members of the progress made in developing investment plans for key settlements within the Skipton and Ripon area through the North Yorkshire Town Investment Plan (TIP) programme, and to present proposed schemes for consideration for grant funding through the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s ‘Emerging Project Fund’.

A public statement was made in relation to this agenda item, which is detailed under Minute 212.

The Corporate Director of Community Development submitted a report providing a progress update on the development of the Town Investment Plans in the Skipton and Ripon area.

Sharon Hudson, Communities Area Manager presented the report. Members were asked to endorse the proposed schemes to enhance a section of the canal towpath in Skipton, as well as improving the marketplace in Ripon, as outlined in paragraphs 6.6 and 6.7 of the report.

Sharon advised that plans in Pateley Bridge, Bentham, Masham and Skipton were also being worked on.

Lilla Bathurst, Manager at Ripon BID presented a verbal update to the Committee on the issues that were of concern for Ripon businesses and raised the below points:

·       Ripon businesses sought investment in the Market Square to increase dwell time, with the majority of visits currently being fairly short. For example, improved, more thought-out curved seating.

·       Seasonal industrialisation of the south side of the Market Square during the months May to October to create a bigger events space.

·       Exploring flexible seating, specifically the parklet option being trialled in different areas which can be moved for events.

·       The urgent need for more power points, especially at the Thursday market, which are also needed to power the four phone boxes on site.

·       Consideration to the work that is done as part of the Town Investment Plan should resurfacing take place in the Market Square.

·       The possibility of adding parking on the south side of the Market Square in the off season as well as increasing the car parking limit to a one and a half hour limit to increase overall dwell time at the market, if the extra funds were ringfenced to Ripon.

Members discussed the report, as well as the verbal update from the Ripon BID representative and raised the following points:

·       A meeting was to be held in January 2026 with the Division Member for Ripon Minster and Moorside and the relevant officers and Executive Member regarding the surfacing of Ripon Market Square, and the impact on the works to enhance the Square.

·       That a deferral of the Town Investment Plan could result in funding not being prioritised for the scheme, and that any current issues with Ripon City Council ought not to impact the delivery of a project aimed to improve Ripon.

·       The safety issues as a result of insufficient power points and trailing wires on market days.

·       The suggestion that any resurfacing work ought to be considered when enhancement works are carried out.

·       That unused outdoor space could be used for car parking in the winter months.

·       That the pedestrianisation of Kirkgate and Marketplace South should be explored, and NYC Highways involvement to be supported by the Area Committee.

·       The need for more greening in the city centre.

·       Concerns over the Government’s proposed tourist tax and the impact this could have on encouraging visitors to the Skipton and Ripon area.

·       Members endorsed the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 210.

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

The Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith MP provided a verbal update on the work that is currently being undertaken in the Skipton and Ripon constituency and raised the following points:

·       The Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith MP endorsed the excellent work of NYC Highways in the execution of the Kex Gill bypass. He also praised the work of officers and councillors across NYC who had contributed to the Council achieving the third position nationally for adult social care.

·       A recent focus on representing the challenges of farming, particularly the taxation of family farms as well as ensuring the Airedale Hospital funding and project accelerates.

·       An update on Ripon Hospital which had been upgraded to an urgent care facility.

·       The impact of the Government’s budget on the hospitality industry and small businesses across the constituency, particularly with regards to energy costs, taxation and business rates was raised. The impact of the tourist tax proposal on local businesses in the constituency area was also mentioned.

·       The work that had taken place alongside the Leader and other NYC colleagues on local government funding, particularly in light of the rural grant being removed.

Members thanked the Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith MP for the verbal update and raised the following points in response:

·       Concerns over the impact of increased business rates on local businesses and the hospitality sector that form a key part of the local economy in the Skipton and Ripon area. In response to these concerns, the Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith MP explained that he had asked Kate Nicholls, Chair of Hospitality UK to come to Skipton and Ripon to host an event which Area Committee Members would be welcomed to in early 2026.

·       The view that imposing a tourist tax may contribute to improving local businesses by increased investment in the area gained through the tax.

·       Concerns over the overspend on the Kex Gill project.

·       A request to contact the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding how they would continue to support farming in the protected landscape, particularly regenerative farming, after March 2026.

·       A request to investigate a long-standing issue with Network Rail concerning signalling issues on the Aire Valley line which had caused frequent delays affecting south Craven. In response to this, the Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith MP suggested meeting with the relevant Member to discuss this matter in further detail.

Members thanked the Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith MP for attending the meeting virtually.

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 1 December 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.

Five public statements were received.

One public statement had been received in relation to Minute 210 – Town Investment Plan, which was dealt with at that Minute and is detailed below.

1.     Statement from Stanley Mackintosh – read out at the meeting

“My request is simply that the Ripon Market Place item be deferred for four months, and the consultation reopened for at least three months.

Ripon City Council is not presently a reliable stakeholder: there is governance instability, a “No Confidence” Parish Poll result, and a formal objection now with the External Auditor.

The proposals for Ripon in the report pack are weak and under-developed compared with the Skipton proposals, and the reference to a “Ripon Neighbourhood Plan 2030” appears questionable, as no such active plan currently exists.

Public engagement has been inadequate and confusing. The consultation closed only yesterday, yet the report appears to have been drafted before that date, leaving residents little chance to comment or propose alternatives.

I have previously produced a substantial public report — Ripon Vision 2015 — and, with a short extension, I can bring forward serious, evidence-based proposals worthy of consideration and investment.

Deferral will not jeopardise funding, which runs to 2027, but would greatly improve legitimacy, consultation and design quality.

I therefore respectfully ask Members to defer the item and reopen consultation for three months”.

Two public statements had been received that did not relate to an item on the agenda and were dealt with under this agenda item and are detailed below.

2.     Statement from Martyn Hodgson – read out at the meeting

“North Yorkshire Council is understandably concerned at the increased cost if many side roads secured Priority 2 winter maintenance status and it is appreciated that not all can therefore be quickly cleared. However, there are some particularly vulnerable locations and Heyshaw is such a special case, as summarised below.

1.     The sole access into Heyshaw (HG3 4HD) is a steep cul-de-sac (Heyshaw Road, 400m) and is vital for residents and dairy farm tankers to access the road network for work, school, etc. In winter it often becomes impassable, even for most four-wheel drive vehicles, due to icing-up and snow drifts. Heyshaw (elevation 320m) regularly experiences much worse winter conditions than most of the Dale (e.g. closest village is Dacre Banks elevation only 80m). The road is North-East facing so that, unless treated, it is often a layer of solid compacted snow and ice impassable for many days. Up to recent years it had P2 status and was always cleared and gritted - it is unclear why this status was changed.

2.     Emergency vehicle access is frequently not possible in winter without the road being gritted. A telling case was last winter when a resident suffered a heart attack, however without any gritting the emergency ambulance was unable to attend and Martin Bucke died. Two winters ago, Eric Marshall was taken seriously ill and even a specialist four-wheel drive ambulance struggled to access. Eventually he was taken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 212.

To provide the Area Committee with an update on the proposed Wyvern Link Road, Skipton

Helen Watson, Senior Engineer Major Projects, and Allan McVeigh, Head of Network Strategy presented a report of the Corporate Director for Environment which provided an update on the proposed Wyvern Link Road in Skipton which would connect the end of Ings Lane to the A629 bypass via the Wyvern Park development.

Helen reported that in August responsibility for the Wyvern Link project transferred from the Regeneration team in the Community Development directorate to the Major Projects team in the Environment directorate. Phase one of the project had already been completed under the former Craven District Council, which upgraded Engine Shed Lane and Ings Lane. Feasibility and outline design work for Wyvern Link Road had been completed for stage two, but further work including updating the historic design work, and the construction cost estimate remained.

No funding had yet been allocated for the construction of the scheme in the Council’s capital plan and an updated business case was required in order to seek funding for the project. A grant of £90k had been secured from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayoral Investment Fund to support ongoing design work for the project. It was however noted that the project development cost was likely to be much greater than this. Alternative forms of construction would also be considered to minimise the impacts of flooding. Once the updated costs had been established, an updated report would be brought back to the Committee.

In response, Members raised the following points:

·       The importance of the proposed Wyvern Link Road in transforming the way traffic moves around Skipton and the surrounding local area, especially since approximately 250 houses had been built in the southwest area of Skipton, as well as benefiting local businesses.

·       That one of the reasons behind the decision to keep the waste management depot on Engine Shed Lane was the proposed link road which could be used to take waste management vehicles out of the bypass to serve south Craven and north Craven.

·       The financial challenges associated with the project and the suggestion of approaching the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority for funding.

·       Members were keen to progress this project as a priority.

·       The need to create a new business case for consideration by the Executive, which was added to the list of recommendations.

·       The impact of the lack of link road on children and young people in Craven.

Resolved

       i.         To note the progress in completing phase one to improve vehicle access to Engine Shed Lane and construction of an industrial estate standard road on Ings Lane.

     ii.         To note that there is no budget to deliver Phase two other than £90k for design development.

    iii.         To note that an updated business case would be required to inform decisions on future funding for delivery.

    iv.         A further recommendation was added by the Committee requesting that officers submit a draft business case for consideration by the Executive within 6 months.

To update Members on the review of the Nidderdale Greenway Extension feasibility study, including revised key metrics, an updated assessment of scheme viability, and proposed next steps.

Two public statements were made in relation to this agenda item, which are detailed under Minute 212.

Alexander Kay, Senior Transport Planning Officer presented a report in the name of the Corporate Director of Environment which provided an update on the review of the Nidderdale Greenway extension feasibility study. The review included revised analysis of key metrics, an assessment of scheme viability, and the identification of challenges and risks. The Sustrans Nidderdale Greenway extension study was appended to the report at Appendix A.

The main challenges included various funding constraints in the form of cost increases, creation order costs and resource and high maintenance costs, as well as landowner support. The scheme was not deemed to be a priority active travel scheme for the Council.

Alexander noted the local support detailed in the Nidderdale Greenway extension steering group report which was written in February 2024 and apologised that no reference to this report had been made in the report before Members today. It was explained that the contents of the steering group report did not impact the outcome presented in the officer report.

Members thanked officers for the report and raised the following points:

·       A Nidderdale Greenway extension steering group report was considered by the Skipton and Ripon Area Committee in March 2024, as detailed at Minute 111. Members felt that officers in the Council’s Transport Planning team had not considered the steering group report.

·       The support of the scheme from local residents, and the positive impacts of the scheme including active travel, healthy environment and opening up the protected landscapes to public enjoyment.

·       The difficulty in gaining support for the scheme from landowners.

·       The need to investigate alternative forms of funding through the York and North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority once their active travel strategy was in place.

·       One Member suggested that the report recommendations be amended to endorse the vision of creating an enhanced Nidderdale Greenway extension and ask the Mayoral Combined Authority to actively seek resources to progress the scheme.

In response to Members’ comments, Andrew Brown, Principal Public Rights of Way Officer informed Members of the challenges behind the Council funding the maintenance of a new public bridleway. Andrew also explained the potential flooding risks involved. Despite these challenges, it was explained that a compromise could be met to deliver a scheme of considerably less cost, which would meet the majority of aspirations of the proposal in providing a safe cycle route from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge. Andrew also confirmed that the recommendations of the steering group report would be revisited, along with the points raised by the two public speakers.

In response, Members thanked the Principal Public Rights of Way Officer for looking into a way to take the scheme forward. Councillor Andrew Murday agreed to enter discussions with the officers outside of the meeting to investigate funding potential from the Mayoral Combined Authority and would report back his findings to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Area Committee.

Resolved

That Members note the contents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 214.

To provide Members with an overview of housing need, provision, strategy and interventions in the Committee’s area.

A presentation on housing need, provision, strategy and interventions was included in the agenda. As no officer was available to deliver the update and Members had already reviewed the presentation slides, the Chair proceeded straight to comments.

The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing agreed to provide more information in response to a query regarding whether the housing need data had increased or decreased from previous years. The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing also agreed to provide more information on the occupancy of a Skipton hostel.

A written update will be provided to Members, prior to the meeting, in relation to issues raised at the previous meeting.

Noah Garbutt, Skipton Youth Council Chair, submitted a written update on the work of the Youth Council since the previous Area Committee meeting in September.

The update was read out by the Principal Democratic Services Officer and included the following points:

·       An update on the 2025 Keep Skipton Tidy competition, which did not go ahead due to difficulties in accessing litter picking equipment. The need for a clear and practical system for equipment access was emphasised and email correspondence was sent to Councillor Richard Foster on this matter.

·       A recruitment drive beyond central Skipton, supported by sharing recruitment posters with parish councils for local display.

·       Three new members had joined since the September Area Committee.

·       The creation of a “Steps for Success” internal document which outlined Youth Council operations and standards which would be shared with other regional youth councils, including Harrogate and Ripon.

·       The development of an online survey for young people and residents across the wider Skipton area to identify priorities for the Youth Council’s next annual campaign.

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

Members reviewed the work programme and suggested the following additions:

·       An update on Airedale Hospital, including the services and departments that will be provided. It was also requested that an update be provided on the broader strategy and service delivery across the district, as well as engagement with GP surgeries. Members requested that this update be given at the committee meeting scheduled on 5 March 2026.

·       A request for a detailed map with layers of the Skipton and Ripon area showing the land and properties owned by NYC. Members requested that a presentation be provided showing how the land is used by NYC. It was clarified that this was separate to the existing asset register. Members requested that this update be given at the 5 March 2026 committee.

There were no urgent items of business.

The Chair informed the Committee that Christian Brennan, Democratic Services Officer, would be leaving North Yorkshire Council and expressed gratitude for his support, wishing him every success in the future.

The Chair also advised that Steve Loach, Principal Democratic Services Officer was retiring. The Chair thanked Steve for his significant contribution during his time with North Yorkshire County Council, and more recently, North Yorkshire Council.

Members echoed the Chair’s appreciation and best wishes to both officers.

Thursday, 05 March 2026 at 10.00am at a venue to be determined.

Thursday 5 March 2026 at 10.00am.