Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Resolved

That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2026, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillor Gareth Dadd declared an interest in Minute 943 as he was the owner of a holidays let business on the east coast, for which he had previously been granted a dispensation.

Members are recommended to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 8 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

It was noted that the report relation to Minute 943 – Housing Joint Venture contained four appendices which were considered to be exempt.  As the contents of the appendices were not discussed there was no requirement to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of 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 9 July 2026, 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 was one public question.

1.     Public Question from Whitby Community Network CIC – read out by Andy Jefferson

NYC Housing - Joint Venture

Dear Councillors

I am writing to you on behalf of Whitby Community Network CIC and as the Chair of the Whitby Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, to highlight the above topic subject Point 8 on NYC’s Executive Agenda Meeting - Tuesday, 14 July 2026 where you are being asked to “Agree to the conditional disposal of Sandsend Road, Whitby”. The claim is that this joint venture is needed to “to accelerate delivery of good quality, environmentally sustainable homes and to increase affordable housing delivery and social value.”

Increasing Affordable housing delivery

The proposed agreement is only providing 30% as "affordable” housing. 30% "affordable” housing is the present requirement under the Local Plan for any housing developer, therefore how is this joint venture “increasing affordable housing delivery”? What benefit is being gained by the local taxpayers or the residents of Whitby? It has to be noted that the term “affordable housing” to many Whitby people is a misnomer, with average earnings resulting in such properties being still out of reach.

Meeting the Housing Needs of the area

This joint venture does not address the housing requirements in Whitby as identified by the independent Housing Needs Assessment [1] carried out for Whitby for the Neighbourhood Plan. This identified approximately 45% of housing as being used for holiday/second homes, with most new housing not affordable for local people. Rented accommodation for young families and essential local workers is urgently needed along with extra care/older people's accommodation. Whitby is the only Principal Service Centre in North Yorkshire without any extra care housing.

We also note in terms of density, the site is around 2.8ha giving an indicative number of 60 homes, yet Broomfield Phase 3 (Whitby Town Deal) is 1.6ha giving 49 homes – so providing a significantly lower density than obtained elsewhere. Does this mean the majority of the proposed (non-affordable) homes will be larger, and not of the type required in Whitby at this

Impact on leisure and health

We would also like to highlight to Councillors that this land was originally part of the golf course, with golf course land across the road being lost to coastal erosion and no plans are in place for ensuring this facility can be maintained. The current Local Plan states that for area HA22 “The development of this site will only be supported where it is demonstrated that it will contribute to the longer term future of the Golf Course whilst also allowing the retention of its 18-hole status through a suitable re configuration of the course”. This condition has seemingly not been met. Indeed, the Shoreline Management Plan 2 [2] stated “The Whitby Golf Club, situated between Whitby and Sandsend is an important recreational asset to the area.” The removal of a further leisure/health facility, together with the lack of green space already identified in Whitby appears not to have been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 940.

Recommendation

To approve the variation to the Council’s Hackney Carriage Table of Maximum Fares as set out in Appendix 1 with effect from 1 August 2026.

Considered – A report of the Assistant Director Regulation and Harbours seeking approval to vary the Council’s Hackney Carriage Table of Maximum Fares following a review of operating costs and consultation with the taxi trade.

The Executive Member for Managing our Environment, Councillor Richard Foster, introduced the report and advised that fuel prices, employer costs and other running expenses had increased significantly since the last fare review. It was noted that the trade had gone two years without an increase and that representations received demonstrated strong support for a review of fares. The proposed fares represented maximum charges and operators retained the flexibility to charge lower fares where they wished.

Resolved (unanimously)

That the variation to the Council’s Hackney Carriage Table of Maximum Fares as set out in Appendix 1 be approved with effect from 1 August 2026.

Reasons for recommendations

The Council is expected to set and regularly review the maximum fares to be charged by hackney carriage drivers with a view to protecting the public and ensuring that licensees are fairly rewarded for their work.

Alternative options considered

The options available were:

·       To make modifications to the table of fares as detailed in the statutory notice and outlined in Appendix 1, with a commencement date of 01 August 2026 (Recommended).

·       To make any other increase to the table of fares and agree an implementation date.

·       To make no modifications to the table of fares.

·       To make a decrease in the table of fares and agree an implementation date.

The Council was not legally obligated to set the maximum rates of charges. However, the vast majority of licensing authorities do set maximum fares to provide certainty, consistency and, particularly in relation to occasional passengers, protection from unfair or unreasonable charges. The Council could choose not to set maximum fares.

Recommendations

1)    That the Community Transfer Policy and associated Community Grow Policy & Operational Procedures (attached as Appendices A, B & C to this report) are adopted

2)    To authorise the delegation of minor non material updates to associated guidance and operational documents to support effective implementation of the Policy to the Assistant Director Property, Procurement & Commercial, for Community Asset Transfers

3)    To authorise the delegation of minor non material updates to associated guidance and operational documents to support effective implementation of the Policy to the Assistant Chief Executive Local Engagement Director Property, for Community Service Transfers

4)    That the Community Transfer Policy replaces the Double Devolution Pilot

5)    Approve arrangements for the Council to work with organisations in the Double Devolution Pilot to finalise proposals by 31 March 2027, or otherwise invite a new Expression of Interest under the Community Transfer Policy

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Resources seeking approval for the adoption of a Community Transfer Policy as the Council’s formal framework for the transfer of community assets and services, replacing the existing Double Devolution Pilot arrangements.  The report set out proposed transitional arrangements to support organisations currently involved in the Double Devolution Pilot to either finalise their proposals by 31 March 2027 or submit a new Expression of Interest under the Community Transfer Policy.

In introducing the report, the Executive Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Heather Phillips, explained that the policy had been developed with input from legal, property, finance and locality teams and would create a transparent and consistent approach for town and parish councils and community organisations seeking to take on assets or services. The policy was intended to support local empowerment and devolution ambitions by simplifying processes and enabling community organisations to manage local facilities more effectively where appropriate. It was emphasised that transfers would remain at the Council’s discretion and that the process had been designed to be proportionate and flexible, with smaller projects requiring less complex assessment.

In response to a question officers confirmed that no formal expressions of interest had been received from Harrogate Town Council. Members welcomed the policy, noting that it reflected the Council’s objective of devolving services and assets to the most local level possible. Examples were provided of local facilities and markets that had benefitted from community management, demonstrating that local organisations were often best placed to understand and respond to local needs. Members agreed that the policy would support constructive engagement with parish sector organisations and support communities wishing to take greater responsibility for local assets and services.

Resolved (unanimously)

1)    That the Community Transfer Policy and associated Community Grow Policy and Operational Procedures (attached as Appendices A, B & C to this report) are adopted

2)    That the delegation of minor non material updates to associated guidance and operational documents be authorised to support effective implementation of the Policy to the Assistant Director Property, Procurement and Commercial, for Community Asset Transfers

3)    That the delegation of minor non material updates to associated guidance and operational documents be authorised to support effective implementation of the Policy to the Assistant Chief Executive Local Engagement Director Property, for Community Service Transfers

4)    That the Community Transfer Policy replaces the Double Devolution Pilot

5)    That arrangements be approved for the Council to work with organisations in the Double Devolution Pilot to finalise proposals by 31 March 2027, or otherwise invite a new Expression of Interest under the Community Transfer Policy

Reasons for recommendations

The recommendation is to adopt a formal policy to provide a clear, consistent and transparent framework for community asset and service transfers, enabling fair decision‑making, reducing risk, and supporting a strategic and proactive approach to devolution that gives communities, internal services and Councillors greater confidence in the process.

Alternative options considered

An alternative option considered was to continue without a formal policy and manage community asset  ...  view the full minutes text for item 942.

Recommendations

The Executive is asked to:-

i)      Delegate approval of the overarching business plan for the JV to the Shareholder Committee;

ii)     Agree to enter into a Joint Venture with Lovell Partnerships and enter into a Limited Liability Partnership based on the terms set out in this report;

iii)    Delegate the finalisation of the legal documents as set out in Paragraph 10.1- 10.3 to the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services;

iv)   Agree to the conditional disposal of Sandsend Road, Whitby and Eastfield, Scarborough;

v)     Delegate the agreement of the final sales price to the Corporate Director Resources (S151) in line with Appendix B paragraph 3 and 4;

vi)   Delegate the naming and branding of the JV to the Corporate Director Community Development in consultation with the Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing;

vii)  Appoint the Corporate Director Community Development, Assistant Director Resource (Environment) and Assistant Director Legal Operation as JV representatives to the JV Board;

viii) Agree that the initial capital and revenue receipts from the JV up to a value of £5m are used to create a Council budget to support JV work including providing A-loan notes to the JV;

ix)   Delegate approval of loans or expenditure funded by the £5m allocation set out in viii) to the Corporate Director Community Development in consultation with Corporate Director Resources (S151);

x)     Agree to enter forward purchase agreements to purchase homes for the HRA from the Joint Venture as set out in paragraph 6.2 in Appendix A and in line with the existing Housing Delivery Programme budget;

xi)   Recommend to full Council the amendments to the Council’s constitution as set out in Appendix E.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Community Development seeking approval to establish a Joint Venture with Lovell Partnerships Ltd to accelerate housing delivery across North Yorkshire and approve the conditional disposal of the first two proposed development sites at Sandsend Road, Whitby and Eastfield, Scarborough.

The Leader, Councillor Carl Les, advised that a number of letters which had been received by Executive Members on the report, the majority of which related to a planning application in Whitby which had not yet been submitted.

The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, introduced the report and explained that the proposal built upon work commenced by the former Scarborough Borough Council. Following local government reorganisation, the opportunity had been reviewed in the context of the Council’s wider housing ambitions, increasing housing targets and the shortage of affordable and social rented homes across North Yorkshire. The proposed Joint Venture could provide a long-term mechanism for delivering new housing, affordable homes and social value whilst generating returns for the Council. The Executive Member acknowledged that joint ventures carried risks and therefore considerable work had been undertaken to establish governance arrangements, safeguards and oversight mechanisms to protect the Council’s interests. It was explained that the first two sites would enable the Council to assess the effectiveness of the arrangement before considering any future expansion.

A public statement was read out by Andy Jefferson on behalf of Whitby Community Network CIC as detailed at Minute 940 and a response was provided by the Executive Member which also addressed points made in the other correspondence received.  The Executive Member also referred to a letter from Ms Phillips and stated that everything possible had been done to mitigate potential risks and emphasised the development of a framework to protect the Council from undue risk.

During debate, Members emphasised the distinction between approval of the Joint Venture and any future planning decisions relating to specific sites and it was noted that planning applications would be determined independently through the established planning process. Members recognised the need to address housing shortages, particularly on the coast, and would explore mechanisms to ensure new homes remained available as primary residences and did not become holiday homes.  Councillor Goodrick suggested the Joint Venture might represent an opportunity to provide accommodation for care leavers. Support was expressed for the safeguards built into the arrangements and for the phased approach which limited the Council’s exposure whilst allowing the model to be tested.

Resolved (unanimously)

That Executive

i)      Delegate approval of the overarching business plan for the JV to the Shareholder Committee

ii)     Agree to enter into a Joint Venture with Lovell Partnerships and enter into a Limited Liability Partnership based on the terms set out in this report

iii)    Delegate the finalisation of the legal documents as set out in Paragraph 10.1- 10.3 to the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services

iv)   Agree to the conditional disposal of Sandsend Road, Whitby and Eastfield, Scarborough

v)     Delegate the agreement of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 943.

Recommendations

1)    To approve the spending plan set out in Section 4 of this report.

2)    To approve delegation to the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service in conjunction with the Corporate Director – Resources, to make further spending decisions within the available grant headroom in order to meet the aims and objectives of the Families First Partnership Programme and alignment with new legislation, statutory guidance and Ofsted requirements.

3)    To receive a further report in September 2027 setting out progress and plans for 2028-29 and subsequent financial years including appropriate exit and financial sustainability plans.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service seeking approval of a spending plan associated with the Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) and delegation arrangements for future spending decisions.  The report summarised the key strategic, operational and governance implications for local authorities of the FFPP  and set out initial plans for deployment of grant funding to meet the programme objectives.

The Executive Member for Children and Families, Councillor Janet Sanderson, introduced the report and advised that the programme formed part of the Government’s reform of children’s social care and early help services following the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care. The FFPP was the Government’s flagship reform of children’s social care and early help in response to the MacAllister Review of Children’s Social Care.  Whilst North Yorkshire had already adopted many elements of relationship-based practice, significant service redesign would still be required to implement new legislative requirements by March 2027. Members were advised that the Council had received time-limited grant funding to support delivery of the reforms, enabling greater investment in preventative services and early intervention. The Executive Member highlighted increasing numbers of children entering care, alongside the substantial costs associated with some specialist placements, and noted that the reforms aimed to improve outcomes whilst reducing reliance on costly crisis interventions.

The Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service advised that implementation timescales were challenging and that the transition funding would be used both to increase delivery capacity and strengthen the preventative workforce.

Resolved (unanimously)

That Executive

i)      Approve the spending plan set out in Section 4 of this report.

ii)     Approve delegation to the Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service in consultation with the Executive Member for Children and Families in conjunction with the Corporate Director Resources, to make further spending decisions within the available grant headroom in order to meet the aims and objectives of the Families First Partnership Programme and alignment with new legislation, statutory guidance and Ofsted requirements.

iii)    Receive a further report in September 2027 setting out progress and plans for 2028-29 and subsequent financial years including appropriate exit and financial sustainability plans.

Reasons for recommendations

Delivering FFPP in line with national guidance and grant conditions ensures that funding drives a consistent, evidence-based model of reform across children’s services. The guidance sets clear expectations for system change and outcomes, while the ringfenced grant requires demonstrable delivery of these reforms.

This alignment strengthens accountability, enables effective monitoring, and supports joined up multi agency delivery, ensuring a seamless system of help, support and protection for children and families.

Ultimately, it ensures that investment leads to measurable impact—improving early help, reducing escalation, and enabling more children to remain safely within their families.

Recommendations

1)    That the Executive endorses the Homes for Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026–2029 as the strategic framework for strengthening sufficiency for children in care and care leavers in North Yorkshire, recognising the Council’s statutory and corporate parenting responsibility to ensure sufficient, safe, stable and appropriate homes for children in its care.

2)    That the Executive supports the phased implementation approach set out in the strategy, including the priority areas of fostering, residential care, supported accommodation, short breaks, crisis capacity, data and market shaping.

3)    That the Executive supports the proposed governance, quarterly review and annual refresh arrangements to ensure ongoing oversight of delivery, impact and changing sufficiency needs.

4)    That the Executive supports the recommendation to earmark £20m within Council reserves to support delivery of the strategy, with any future drawdown subject to the development of robust business cases for individual proposals and approval by the Executive.

5)    That the Executive notes that new national guidance on children’s social care sufficiency and the prioritisation of children’s home registration applications was received on 2 July 2026, after the strategy had been prepared, and agrees that any minor consequential amendments required following review are delegated to the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children and Families.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service seeking endorsement of the Homes for Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026–2029.   Executive were asked to approve the strategic approach set out in the strategy and support the phased three-year programme of action to strengthen local provision and improve placement stability. The Executive was also asked to agree the earmarking of £20 million from within Council reserves and to note the receipt of new national guidance on 2 July 2026 relating to children’s social care sufficiency.

In introducing the report, the Executive Member for Children and Families, Councillor Janet Sanderson, explained that increasing numbers of children entering care, together with a shortage of suitable placements, had created significant challenges nationally and locally. Members were advised that some children with complex needs were placed outside North Yorkshire at substantial cost and that fostering capacity remained under considerable pressure. The strategy sought to move the Council towards a more planned and evidence-based approach to accommodation provision, reducing reliance on crisis placements and increasing the availability of local options for children and young people.  The Executive Member highlighted the importance of supporting children to remain close to their communities wherever possible and outlined proposals to increase specialist fostering provision, residential care, supported accommodation, short breaks and emergency capacity. The strategy also proposed a phased implementation programme supported by earmarking up to £20 million of reserves, which will only be accessed following consideration and Executive approval of future business cases.

Members acknowledged the importance of protecting the most vulnerable residents and expressed strong support for directing resources towards vulnerable children and young people. It was agreed that investment in local provision represented both a moral responsibility and a prudent financial approach, reducing reliance on expensive external placements whilst improving outcomes for children.

Resolved (unanimously)

That Executive

i)      Endorses the Homes for Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026–2029 as the strategic framework for strengthening sufficiency for children in care and care leavers in North Yorkshire, recognising the Council’s statutory and corporate parenting responsibility to ensure sufficient, safe, stable and appropriate homes for children in its care.

ii)     Supports the phased implementation approach set out in the strategy, including the priority areas of fostering, residential care, supported accommodation, short breaks, crisis capacity, data and market shaping.

iii)    Supports the proposed governance, quarterly review and annual refresh arrangements to ensure ongoing oversight of delivery, impact and changing sufficiency needs.

iv)    Supports the recommendation to earmark £20m within Council reserves to support delivery of the strategy, with any future drawdown subject to the development of robust business cases for individual proposals and approval by the Executive.

v)     Notes that new national guidance on children’s social care sufficiency and the prioritisation of children’s home registration applications was received on 2 July 2026, after the strategy had been prepared, and agrees that any minor consequential amendments required following review are delegated to the Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service, in consultation with the Executive Member for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 945.

Recommendations

1)    Approve the use of the Experts at Hand grant, in line with national policy expectations, to expand the workforce and implement a locality-based, multi-disciplinary model of support for mainstream schools and settings.

2)    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services in consultation with the executive member for Children and Families, to finalise the delivery model, commissioning route and associated implementation arrangements.

3)    Note that implementation is a national requirement and will be subject to ongoing engagement and co-production with schools, settings, health partners, Parent Carer Voice, children and young people and wider stakeholders, with progress monitored through the Local SEND Reform Plan governance and performance arrangements.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service seeking approval for the use of Department for Education grant funding to establish an “Experts At Hand” model of support for mainstream educational settings in line with the Local SEND Reform Plan and national guidance.

The Executive Member for Children and Families, Councillor Janet Sanderson, introduced the report and explained that the grant of £3.8m for 2026/27 would be used to improve access for schools to a range of specialist professionals, including educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and specialist teachers. The proposed model would build upon existing inclusion arrangements and strengthen early intervention and preventative support for children and young people with additional needs.  There were indications that further funding might be available for a further two years, although this had not yet been confirmed and members noted concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of services if future grant funding was not confirmed.

Resolved (unanimously)

That Executive

1)    Approve the use of the Experts at Hand grant, in line with national policy expectations, to expand the workforce and implement a locality-based, multi-disciplinary model of support for mainstream schools and settings.

2)    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Children and Families, to finalise the delivery model, commissioning route and associated implementation arrangements.

3)    Note that implementation is a national requirement and will be subject to ongoing engagement and co-production with schools, settings, health partners, Parent Carer Voice, children and young people and wider stakeholders, with progress monitored through the Local SEND Reform Plan governance and performance arrangements.

Reasons for recommendations

Approval is recommended because the proposed use of the grant is aligned with national reform expectations, the Local SEND Reform Plan and the Council’s High Needs Block transformation priorities. In particular, it responds to the national expectation that local areas use the grant to extend the workforce and support offer available to mainstream settings through additional specialist education and health capacity, rather than replacing existing provision. The proposals provide a practical route to increase specialist capacity, improve mainstream inclusion, support schools and settings earlier, strengthen partnership delivery with health and reduce avoidable escalation to statutory processes and higher-cost placements.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option would be to continue with existing support arrangements without using the grant to develop additional multi-disciplinary capacity. This would not respond sufficiently to national reform expectations, would limit the ability to reduce reliance on referral-driven models and would miss the opportunity to strengthen early support in mainstream settings. A further option would be to commission a wholly separate service; however, this risks fragmentation and duplication. The preferred option is therefore to build on the existing Inclusion Support Hub model, align with health partners and commission additional capacity in a way that strengthens the wider local SEND system.

Recommendation

That the enclosed Accountability Statement for 2026/27 be approved for submission.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Children’s and Young People’s Services seeking approval of the Adult Learning and Skills Service Accountability Statement for 2026/27 for submission to the Department for Education.  Submission of the statement was required to fulfil funding conditions associated with the Adult Skills Fund and associated post-16 provision.

The Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills, Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, introduced the report and advised that the agreement set out how the Adult Learning and Skills Service would deliver outcomes aligned to national and local priorities following the devolution of the Adult Skills Fund. Members were informed that the service had continued to grow and adapt to changing skills and employment needs, whilst maintaining a strong focus on supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged residents across North Yorkshire.  The agreement aligned with the Council Plan, the York and North Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan, the YNYCA’s Local Growth Plan and the Get York and North Yorkshire Working Plan and wider regional economic and skills priorities. The service would continue to support employability, workforce development, social inclusion and lifelong learning, whilst responding to changing labour market demands.

Resolved (unanimously)

That the Accountability Statement for 2026/27 attached at Appendix A be approved for submission.

Reasons for recommendations

Approving the agreement ensures funding for service delivery and provides a framework for accountability. It will also guide internal discussions to maximise learning opportunities for residents.

Recommendation

The Executive is asked to note the report and consider any matters arising from the work of the Area Committees detailed above, that merit further scrutiny, review or investigation at a county-level.

Considered – A report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services providing an overview of the key issues considered at the June round of meetings of the Area Committees. 

The Leader, Councillor Carl Les, referred to the letter he had received from the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee regarding the temporary closure of East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre and the provision of outdoor learning services on the coast, to which he had responded.

Resolved

That the report be noted.

Considered – The  Forward Plan for the period 3 July to 31 July 2026 was presented.

Resolved

That the Forward Plan be noted.