Agenda and minutes

Resolved:

Thatthe public Minutesof themeeting heldon 8 and 15 March 2022,having been printedand circulated,betakenas readand confirmedby theChairmanas acorrect record.

County Councillor Andrew Lee declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 6, based on having a family member working for a care provider.

County Councillor Michael Harrison declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in Agenda item 6 based on having a relative working in Health and Adult Services. It was noted that the Standards Committee had previously given him a dispensation which enabled him to participate in, and vote at the meeting. 

County Councillor Gareth Dadd declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in Agenda item 13 as his civil partner is involved in supporting another bid to be the Great British Railways National Headquarters.

Resolved:

That the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Item 12 on the grounds that this involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph specified in column 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1971 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2006.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to Melanie Carr of Democratic and Scrutiny Services and supplied the text (contact details below) by midday on Tuesday 12 April 2022, 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 Chairman who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

There were no public questions or statements.

Recommendations: That the Executive:

i.     Approve North Yorkshire County Council’s participation in the Trailblazer Programme. and

ii.    Delegate  authority to the Corporate Director for Health & Adult Services in consultation with Corporate Director Strategic Resources and Executive Members for Health & Adult Services & Finance to consider and exercise any opting out at the appropriate stages should it be deemed appropriate.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director – Health and Adult Services to update the Executive on the opportunity to participate in the Adult Social Care Charging Reform Trailblazer Programme and request approval for early adoption.

County Councillor Michael Harrison presented the report, outlining that the Council had been invited by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to join a pilot scheme as one of the first five local authorities in the country. The benefits to the County Council of taking part in the Trailblazer programme include being able to trial and influence how the scheme is implemented nationally in the future, and it is hoped that by participating in the pilot, the benefits of the Trailblazer programme for residents could be seen earlier in North Yorkshire ahead of a national roll-out. It was noted that there are risks to participating in the scheme for health and adult social care services, but there are a number of review points scheduled to check on progress.

The Corporate Director – Health and Adult Services added that the five local authorities approached to take part in the pilot were of different economic, geographical and care market characteristics, to see how the Trailblazer programme worked across different sites. It was also noted that review points are scheduled between the Council and the DHSC for the pilot scheme in August and November 2022, with an additional review point also agreed following the May 2022 elections. At any of these points, the Council, or DHSC, could choose to withdraw from the Trailblazer if the financial/service risks are too great or the model is not workable.

County Councillor Andrew Lee expressed his support for the Trailblazer programme, in particular the ability to shape future policy by being involved as part of the pilot scheme.

Resolved: That the Executive:

i.                Approve North Yorkshire County Council’s participation in the Trailblazer Programme and

ii.         Delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Health & Adult Services in consultation with Corporate Director Strategic Resources and Executive Members for Health & Adult Services & Finance to consider and exercise any opting out at the appropriate stages should it be deemed appropriate.

Recommendation:

The Executive are asked to note the consultation response and approve that the consultation draft of the School Estate Strategy be implemented without amendment.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service detailing the consultation responses received and seeking approval of the implementation of the consultation draft of the School Estate Strategy.

County Councillor Patrick Mulligan introduced the report on the outcome of a recent consultation on the Council’s approach to good estate management of NYCC maintained schools. A draft School Estate Strategy has been produced to set out how the County Council, working with school leaders and other partners, will manage, maintain and invest in the school estate across the County. The consultation was launched via email to all NYCC Councillors and all schools in the county on 4 February 2022, running for six weeks through to 18 March 2022. By the closing date eleven responses had been received, with the views expressed broadly supportive of the strategy.

Having noted all of the information provided, it was

Resolved: Executive note the consultation response and approve that the consultation draft of the Schools Estate Strategy be implemented without amendment.                                                                                                              

Recommendations:

That the Executive:

i.      Resolve that the four key issues listed in paragraph 7.3 of the report have been satisfied and therefore there can be a determination of the proposal.

ii.     Reject the proposal to amalgamate Grove Road and Woodfield Community Primary Schools, as the proposal is no longer supported by the governing body of Grove Road School.

County Councillor Patrick Mulligan, introduced the report, noting that a lot of work had gone into the proposals that went out for consultation to amalgamate Grove Road and Woodfield Community Primary Schools in Harrogate, following requests from the governing bodies of both schools. On 31 March, members of the governing body of Grove Road Community Primary School decided to withdraw their support for the amalgamation proposal. As a result, officers are recommending that the amalgamation proposals are rejected and will now reflect on the situation over the coming weeks with professional stakeholders.

County Councillor Paul Haslam addressed the meeting, expressing his disappointment at the outcome of the amalgamation proposals, but thanking the officers involved for the work carried out. He noted there is still a lot of work to do, with quick decisions needed to reassure pupils and parents about the future of Woodfield Community Primary School. As Woodfield is an area of deprivation, and having discussed the matter with Andrew Jones MP, it is believed that education is a way out of poverty and requested help to ensure a school remains in the Woodfield area.

In response, Stuart Carlton, Corporate Director for Children and Young People, pledged to work with other key stakeholders, such as the Regional Schools Commissioner, to look at next steps. These discussions were in the early stages at the moment.

Having noted all of the information provided, it was

Resolved:

i.          That having undertaken the required preliminary checks, the four key issues have been satisfied and there can be a determination of the proposals

ii.         The proposal to amalgamate Grove Road and Woodfield Community Primary Schools is rejected, as the proposal is no longer supported by the governing body of Grove Road School.

Recommendation:

That the Executive report to full Council the amendments to the Constitution set out in the Appendices to the report, made by the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) under his delegated powers.

Considered - Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) to present changes made to the Constitution under delegated powers, for their recommendation to full Council.

County Councillor David Chance introduced the report, detailing the amendments to the Constitution to take into account changes to the legal requirements relating to procurement thresholds and to also reflect the transitional arrangements during Local Government Reorganisation which currently apply, following the coming into force of the North Yorkshire (Structural Changes Order) 2022.

Taking all of the information provided, it was

Resolved:

That the amendments to the Constitution set out in the report appendices, made by the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) under his delegated powers, be reported back to Full Council.

Recommendation:  Thatthe Executive notesthe reportand considersanymatters arisingfrom the workof theArea Constituency Committees,that meritsfurther scrutiny,review orinvestigationat acounty-level.

Considered–  A report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal & Democratic Services) providing an overview of the key issues considered at the recent meetings of the Area Constituency Committees of Skipton and Ripon, Scarborough & Whitby, Harrogate and Knaresborough and Richmond (Yorks). 

County Councillor Don Mackenzie highlighted the discussion at the Richmond (Yorks) Area Constituency Committee relating to the non-collection of litter along the A66. He felt that with the introduction of the new unitary authority from April 2023, this would help solve confusion amongst residents as to who holds responsibility for resolving particular issues.

County Councillor Gareth Dadd added that the litter discussion at the Area Constituency Committee had shown him the different service levels and outcomes achieved across the different district and borough councils in the county.

County Councillor Carl Les noted that all members of the Executive had attended Area Constituency Committees and found them to provide invaluable feedback. He thanked all of the Area Constituency Committee Chairs for their work and hoped that the new Council can continue in the same vein.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

That co-ordination be provided initially to generate a response to the situation alongside the A66, as a matter of urgency and the development of a countywide strategy in respect of this matter.

Considered –

The Forward Plan for the period 4 April 2022 to 30 April 2023 was presented.

Resolved: That the Forward Plan be noted.

Resolved:

That the private Minute from the meeting of the Executive held on 15 March 2022, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed, and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

County Councillor Carl Les highlighted the campaign to make York the national headquarters of Great British Railways, believing it has the history, capacity and capability to be a strong candidate as the chosen location. The Leader received Executive support to add his signature to a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, also signed by five MPs, City of York Council and the LEP, to show the support across York and North Yorkshire in the bid to make York the national headquarters of Great British Railways.

The Chief Executive thanked all Elected Members for all their work over the term of the County Council, and wished luck to all candidates standing in the forthcoming elections.

As he was not standing in the May elections, County Councillor Carl Les thanked County Councillor Don Mackenzie for his efforts over the last five years, but in particular during his time as Executive Member for Access, and wished him all the best in his retirement.