Agenda and draft minutes

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Mark Crane.

Resolved

That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2026, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chair as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to Elizabeth Jackson, Principal Democratic Services Officer, and supplied the text by midday on Thursday 26 March, three working days before the day of the meeting.  Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item.  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 Leader who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

There were no public questions or statements.

Recommendations

Executive Members are asked to

(i)             note the contents of the YNYCA report

(ii)            to make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer for his consideration when exercising his emergency delegated powers in response to the YNYCA decision relating to Local Transport Powers on 27 March 2026.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Environment regarding arrangements for the future delegation of Local Transport Functions from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA).  Executive were requested to make recommendations to the Council’s Chief Executive Officer as to the acceptance of any delegation of Local Transport Powers.

Attached as an appendix to the report was a report of the YNYCA Director of Transport considering the delegation which was considered by YNYCA at its meeting on 27 March 2026, for members to note.  At that meeting it was resolved that the Mayor’s devolved powers relating to the provision of bus services be delegated to NYC and CYC from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, subject to constituent councils’ acceptance. 

In introducing the report the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, Councillor Malcolm Taylor, emphasised the importance of ensuring the continuation of bus services for the public.  The Corporate Director Environment, Karl Battersby, confirmed that services had previous been funded through Network North funding, then last year through Combined Authority funding with £1.7m made available last year.  A 2 year funding package was currently proposed, however there remained a £200k pa funding shortfall, with services currently being subsidised by NYC.

There followed a discussion in which the following points were made:

·       It was noted that the Mayor had indicated that he wished to take control of the bus network, however this issue was still unresolved and there remained unanswered questions about funding, subsidies and service continuity

·       Members felt strongly that NYC should accept the proposed arrangements in principle, but further clarity on funding was needed.  Bus services currently subsidised by NYC would need to be funded by the Mayor once responsibility transferred.

·       Members considered issues of access to bus services, particularly in rural communities, and the need for investment in bus station infrastructure.

Members supported a recommendation that NYC continue to operationally manage bus services as previously, but that confirmation on terms and conditions would be required before there could be a formal agreement on a 12 month delegation of powers.

The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services, Barry Khan, advised that the acceptance of the delegation would be a Council decision.  Given the urgency to make a decision by 31 March 2026 it was recommended that Executive make comments for the Chief Executive to consider prior to him making the decision under urgency powers.

Following the vote on the matter the Chief Executive confirmed that he would consider the recommendation made by Executive and the view that further information should be sought from the Combined Authority particularly around those terms and conditions moving forward. 

Resolved (unanimously)

That Executive

1)    note the contents of the YNYCA report

2)    note that agreement to accept the delegation is a Council decision, which would be taken by the Chief Executive under urgency powers in consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader, and Corporate Director of Resources

3)    recommend to the Chief Executive Officer that North Yorkshire Council resolve to manage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 878.

Recommendations

That Executive

(i)         agrees to the Council submitting a bid for £7,147,000 + 10% contingency of £714,000 for Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) administered by the Environment Agency to continue the delivery of the North East Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme into its 4th phase through the North East Coastal Observatory

(ii)        delegate acceptance of the grant if awarded, subject to acceptable terms and conditions, to the Corporate Director Resources in consultation with the Corporate Director - Environment, Executive Member for Finance (Deputy Leader) and the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Environment in which approval was sought to apply for grant funding from Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) administered by the Environment Agency to continue the North East Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme (NERCMP).  The grant application formed part of a joint national funding business case developed on behalf of the Coastal Groups of England and undertaken by the lead partners of the National Network of Regional Coastal Monitoring Programmes of England, one which NYC was one.

The Executive Member for Highways and Transportation stated that NYC was the lead local authority for NERCMP and the funding covered 100% of all costs, which included data collection and analysis.  The Corporate Director, Karl Battersby, confirmed that this was the 4^th phase of the programme and NYC was responsible for the co-ordination of assessment and monitoring of the coastal environment.

Resolved (unanimously)

That Executive:

       i.         agrees to the Council submitting a bid for £7,147,000 + 10% contingency of £714,000 for Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) administered by the Environment Agency to continue the delivery of the North East Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme into its 4th phase through the North East Coastal Observatory

     ii.         delegate acceptance of the grant if awarded, subject to acceptable terms and conditions, to the Corporate Director Resources in consultation with the Corporate Director - Environment, Executive Member for Finance (Deputy Leader) and the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation.

Reasons for recommendations

As a Risk Management Authority, North Yorkshire Council, under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, is required to act in a manner that is consistent with the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England and work collaboratively with other RMAs. Undertaking the role of lead Authority for the North East monitoring region allows the Council to do this.

Being the Lead Authority allows the Council to steer and shape the monitoring programme to collect and analyse data that creates the greatest benefits and outcomes to meet local demand both along the North Yorkshire frontage and wider North East region.

The project is 100% grant aid funded and recommended by the adopted Shoreline Management Plan and local coastal strategies. The National Network of Regional Coastal Monitoring Programmes is a long established and is a priority project programme for the funder the Environment Agency, DEFRA and the client, the North East Coastal Group. Should approval be given, and grant awarded, North Yorkshire Council will continue to a leader in its field and a centre of excellence of coastal management and monitoring both nationally and internationally.

Alternative options considered

There are no feasible alternative options to consider other than to apply for the 100% grant funding or not as the lead partner for the NE Region. This is nationally strategic and important priority project that will be delivered with or without NYC involvement, subject to funding.

North Yorkshire Council is the current lead Authority for the delivery of the North East Regional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 879.

Considered – The  Forward Plan for the period 20 March 2026 to 31 March 2027 was presented.

Resolved

That the Forward Plan be noted.