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 4 November 2025, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillor Michael Harrison declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Minute 793 as his employer was listed within the Treasury Management Quarter 2 report.  As he had previously been granted a dispensation by the Standards Committee he remained in the meeting room and took part in the debate and vote on the item.

Councillor Gareth Dadd declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Minute 793 in relation to second homes.  As he had previously been granted a dispensation by the Standards Committee he remained in the meeting room and took part in the debate and vote on the item.

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 13 November, 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

That the Executive

(i)             Approve the refreshed Capital Plan summarised at paragraph 4.2.3.

(ii)            Approve the proposed committing of £2m of Strategic Capacity reserve to fund any overspend relating to the Selby Transforming Cities scheme and the delegation of the approval to draw upon that £2m to the Corporate Director – Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation and the Executive Member for Finance as summarised at paragraph 4.5.2

(iii)           Notes the position on the Council’s Treasury Management activities during the second quarter of 2025/26.

(iv)           Refers this report to the Audit Committee for their consideration as part of the overall monitoring arrangements for Treasury Management.

(v)            Notes the forecast outturn position against the 2025/26 Revenue Budget, as summarised in paragraph 2.2.1.

(vi)           Approve £1,360k funding from the LGR reserve to fund the Customer Engagement Platform in paragraph 2.5.2 and Appendix 1.

Considered – A joint report of the Chief Executive and Corporate Director Resources bringing together key aspects of the Council’s performance on a quarterly basis.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Heather Phillips, introduced the report which covered the period 1 July 2025 to 30 September 2025 and drew Member’s attention to the Housing Landlord Services Performance Supplement which had been produced as an additional report to highlight progress made in the areas of compliance and repairs.  The Executive Member made the following key points:

Key performance highlights:

·       Telephone call answering times had shown significant improvement and were performing below the original target set.

·       Tourism and cultural services were currently performing strongly.

·       Highways customer service requests were being handled more efficiently.

·       Children’s social care referrals had improved.

·       Early help and reablement services were delivering positive outcomes, ensuring timely interventions and improved outcome.

Areas of concern:

·       Benefits processing times were affected by backlogs from system convergence downtime

·       Homelessness remained a concern

·       Issues around Disabled Facilities Grants were now being addressed.

·       Bins and waste services were still adjusting to new systems.

·       Increased use of short-stay care home beds

·       School permanent exclusions rising

The Leader welcomed Members of Scrutiny Board to the meeting.  In response to questions to Executive Members from Scrutiny Chairs and Member Champions the following was confirmed:

Thriving Places and Empowered Communities

The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing reported that homelessness prevention remained challenging as people presented with less time for intervention, though this hadn’t yet led to an increase in temporary accommodation use.  Additional resources were being deployed to clear the backlog of Disabled Facilities Grants.  Cultural attractions had welcomed over 80,000 visitors, with satisfaction ratings exceeding 90%. 

·       Summer reading challenge participation rose by 6%. Libraries would support the 2026 national year of reading with events including an adult reading challenge and a new mobile library would launch in January, visiting an additional 20 rural communities.

·       It was suggested that when providing planning statistics separating applications determined within statutory timeframes from those agreed under extensions would provide clearer reporting. This approach would be considered, though it was noted that extensions were agreed with applicants, often where information was missing, and keeping to statutory timeframes might lead to increased refusal rates or withdrawals.

Sustainable and Connected Places

·       The Allerton Waste Recovery Park had been shut down for 44 days last year for repairs. Options to divert waste during maintenance periods were limited because alternative sites were often fully booked and the priority was to minimize shutdown days and keep the facility operating as many days as possible.

Safe, Healthy and Living Well

The Executive Member for Health and Adult Services noted the positive impact of the occupational therapy assistant role, which had reduced waiting times for council services. The reliance on short-term beds was concerning, with the average stay being nearly 17 weeks. It was noted that this raised welfare concerns and costs exceeded available funding.

·       Whilst timeliness of assessments was above national and statistical neighbour averages,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 793.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Members approve the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director – Environment, in consultation with the Corporate Director – Resources, the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services, the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation and the Executive Member for Finance to:

       i.         accept full grants from WYCA and YNYCA subject to funding body Approval to Proceed and acceptable terms and conditions of grant being received.

Subject to i:

     ii.         agree the final terms of and enter into the construction contract to deliver the Harrogate TCF project with NYH

    iii.         delegate authority to enact project scope adjustments, if necessary, post-contract entry to maintain costs within budget or to seek additional funding.

    iv.         delegate authority to procure and appoint NEC 4 Project Manager and Supervisor and professional services necessary for contract management and delivery of the Harrogate TCF project.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Environment in which approval was sought to enter into a construction contract with North Yorkshire Highways and funding agreements with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to deliver the Harrogate Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) project.  The TCF programme was funded by the Department for Transport and in Harrogate the aim was to support a shift towards more sustainable travel such as walking, cycling and using public transport in the vicinity of Harrogate Rail Station, whilst enhancing the street scene at a key gateway to the town centre.

The Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, Councillor Malcolm Taylor, introduced the item which would provide investment into the public realm in Harrogate.  The Corporate Director Environment, Karl Battersby, reported that three public consultation exercises had been undertaken, and the scheme amended following comments received.  The scheme represented one of the most significant investments in Harrogate in recent times and the proposal to use North Yorkshire Highways would ensure it was affordable.  It was confirmed that Traffic Regulation Orders being in place was not a pre-requisite of funding from the Combined Authority.

The Head of Legal Property, Planning and Environment, Catriona Gatrell, referred to a legal challenge brought against the Traffic Regulation Orders made in relation to the project.  Whilst the legal challenge had been dismissed, a recent ruling had granted the right of appeal to the Court of Appeal against the original decision, on the basis that there was a real prospect of success.  It was confirmed that in making a decision today the Council could rely on the high court decision which had been made in its favour.

Councillor Michael Harrison explained that the scheme would also include improvements to signalling on the A61 from the Royal Hall which would improve traffic flow through the town centre and the scheme had received cross-party support within the town.

Resolved (unanimously)

That approval be given to the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director Environment, in consultation with the Corporate Director Resources, the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services, the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation and the Executive Member for Finance to:

i.                accept full grants from WYCA and YNYCA subject to funding body Approval to Proceed and acceptable terms and conditions of grant being received.

Subject to i:

ii.              agree the final terms of and enter into the construction contract to deliver the Harrogate TCF project with NYH

iii.             delegate authority to enact project scope adjustments, if necessary, post-contract entry to maintain costs within budget or to seek additional funding.

iv.             delegate authority to procure and appoint NEC 4 Project Manager and Supervisor and professional services necessary for contract management and delivery of the Harrogate TCF project.

Reasons for recommendations

It is necessary for the Council to formally accept funding to comply with the Council’s governance procedures.

As the funding is above £500,000 this decision would normally be made by Executive. However, due to the need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 794.

Recommendation

The Executive is asked to note the report and consider whether the Member Champion roles remain appropriate and in line with the Council’s priorities/challenges.

Considered – A report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services to enable the Executive to consider whether the Member Champion role and remit remained in line with the Council’s priorities and challenges.  The report set out the current champions, five of which were Executive appointments as set out at paragraph 2.2, and did not attract a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA).  Three appointments, the Older People’s, Young People and Climate Change Champions, were made by full Council and attracted an SRA.  At Executive on 18 July 2023 it was agreed that an annual review of Member Champion roles take place.

Resolved

That the report be noted and it be confirmed that the Member Champion roles remain appropriate and in line with the Council’s priorities/challenges.

Reason for recommendation

The report is brought to the Executive to consider as part of an established process for an annual review of the role and remit of the Member Champions.

Considered – The Forward Plan for the period 7 November 2025 to 30 November 2026 was presented.

Resolved

That the Forward Plan be noted.