Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Resolved

That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 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 are recommended to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of each of the items of business listed in Column 1 of the following table on the grounds that they each involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph(s) specified in column 2 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 relating to Minute 958 – Acquisition of properties to address housing need as per the Council’s Housing Revenue Account Business Plan contained an appendix which was considered to be exempt. As the contents of the appendix 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 St John Harris, Principal Democratic Services Officer, and supplied the text by midday on Thursday 30 July, 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.

The Chair noted that both a public question and statement had been received. Since the questioner could not attend the meeting, a written reply would be provided. In respect of the statement, the Chair accepted the request that the statement concerning Minute Item 960, Adult Day Services in Ryedale not be presented at the meeting but included in the minutes.

Recommendations

       i.         The Executive approves the implementation of the Urban Gull Strategy.

     ii.         The Executive notes the unfunded cost of £119k in 2026-27 and that growth will be required from 2027-28 to fund the strategy on an ongoing basis.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director of Environment seeking approval of the council’s new Urban Gull Strategy. Introducing the report, the Executive Member for Managing our Environment, Councillor Richard Foster explained how the new strategy set out a balanced approach of protecting gull populations in accordance with the council’s statutory duties while ensuring that residents, businesses, and visitors could enjoy clean, safe, and welcoming coastal environments. Councillor Foster added that following the recommendation of Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee, the council was also exploring the feasibility of piloting separate food waste collections in coastal areas. Other members of the Executive welcomed the report.

Resolved (unanimously) that

1. The Executive approves the implementation of the Urban Gull Strategy.

2. The Executive notes the unfunded cost of £119k in 2026-27 and that growth will be required from 2027-28 to fund the strategy on an ongoing basis.

Reasons for recommendations

The reasons for a new approach to deal with gulls are as follows:

·            The Council can fulfil its legal obligations under the Environment Act 2021 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

·            To ensure the coastal towns are welcoming, and safe for visitors, residents and businesses.

·            Protect public health from accumulations of guano, rubbish and litter etc.

·            Protect the integrity of buildings.

·            To promote an environment where gulls and people can coexist without conflict.

Alternative options considered

The UGS offers a co-ordinated and managed approach to establish an environment where gulls are accepted and protected as a valued part of coastal biodiversity and the coastal towns are maintained as welcoming, safe and thriving places for resident, visitors and business.  It is not an option to do nothing or return to lethal and other methods to control gull species as the Council would be at odds with its legal obligations and priorities.

Recommendations

       i.         that Executive approves £2.5 million in capital funding to enable the gas cremators at Woodlands Crematorium in Scarborough to be replaced, like for like, with new upgraded ones.

     ii.         that this project is funded through NYC’s Strategic Capacity Reserve.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director of Environment seeking approval for £2.5 million capital funding to replace the existing gas cremators at the council’s Woodlands Crematorium in Scarborough. Introducing the report, the Executive Member for Managing our Environment, Councillor Richard Foster commented that replacing with like-for-like, upgraded gas cremators was the most cost-effective option that would cause less risk of service disruption of this much valued and long-established facility for the local community. The sound commercial sense of this option was also noted.

Resolved (unanimously) that

1. that Executive approves £2.5 million in capital funding to enable the gas cremators at Woodlands Crematorium in Scarborough to be replaced, like for like, with new upgraded ones.

2. that this project is funded through NYC’s Strategic Capacity Reserve.

Reasons for recommendations

A decision to approve the capital funding for the Woodlands cremator replacement project will safeguard the long-term future of Woodlands Crematorium for at least 20 years. This will continue a much-valued service for NYC’s coastal communities that has been established for the last 65 years.

Alternative options considered

Property Services and the Bereavement Service submitted an appraisal using a scoring matrix with the project proposal for capital board approval, as reproduced in Appendix A. The appraisal assessed the following criteria: Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability. The assessment recommended gas as the preferred solution for the cremator replacement.

A summary of the reasons why Capital Board supported this option were as follows: 

·            gas-only replacement (like-for-like) with a programme of phased work to ensure the crematorium remains operational

·            due to the existing building design, replacement cremators and associated plant equipment will follow a ‘like-for-like’ installation strategy, (gas burners) located within the current technical areas of the crematorium

·            replacing existing gas cremators like-for-like is the most cost-effective option – when we consider the additional necessary electrical infrastructure upgrade required to the site to support the latter options and the need for a temporary cremator during the construction phase

·            replacing with like-for-like, upgraded gas cremators will provide energy savings compared to the existing cremators, due to technological advancement in this cremation process over the last 20 years

·            the cremation process using gas is shorter in duration by an average of 30 minutes to one hour compared to the electric option

·            the risks of service disruption during the construction phase of the project are lower for the like-for-like gas replacement option, compared to the other options.

The discounted options were:

·            electric-only replacement, requiring a power supply upgrade and temporary cremator hire, all additional costs, which provide a higher risk of service disruption. The total estimated costs of replacing gas with electric cremators is approximately double the cost of gas cremators at £3million (not including any prelims, contingency or fees). Furthermore, feedback from staff at Maple Park Crematorium who operate an electric only cremator, is that they have experienced issues with extended down time during annual servicing, delays in repairs, with contractors travelling from mainland Europe and minimal heat control on the cremator

·            hybrid cremators (gas/electric elements) - operational  ...  view the full minutes text for item 957.

Recommendations

       i.         That the Executive approves, subject to successfully sourcing Homes England funding, the acquisition of 10 newbuild homes, with 7 homes for social rent and 3 homes for Shared Ownership.  All homes will be taken into the HRA, on terms to be agreed in accordance with this report and as agreed by the Corporate Director for Resources.

     ii.         That the Executive approves North Yorkshire Council making a bid to Homes England for Grant funding.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director Community Development seeking approval to acquire 10 new build properties on a site in Knaresborough. The Executive Member for Culture, Arts & Housing, Councillor Simon Myers presented the report commending the recommendations in particular the provision of larger family homes. Non-Executive members also addressed the meeting. Councillor Peter Lacey highlighted the shortage of affordable accommodation for single young people in the Knaresborough area and hoped the council would continue to work with Knaresborough Community Land Trust (of which he was Director) and other agencies to address this deficit. Councillor Myers also recognised this shortage and the valuable work of community land trusts in delivering affordable community housing which was part funded by the council through the additional revenue raised through the Council Tax Second Homes Premium. In response to other members’ questions, it was noted that the new homes’ PV panels, gas boilers and building materials would all contribute to their high energy efficiency. Councillor Myers also reaffirmed the council’s commitment to delivering social housing for rent, noting the target to deliver in excess of 500 new council homes by 2030.

Resolved (unanimously)

1. That the Executive approves, subject to successfully sourcing Homes England funding, the acquisition of 10 newbuild homes, with 7 homes for social rent and 3 homes for Shared Ownership.  All homes will be taken into the HRA, on terms to be agreed in accordance with this report and as agreed by the Corporate Director for Resources.

2. That the Executive approves North Yorkshire Council making a bid to Homes England for Grant funding.

Reasons for recommendations

The reason for the recommendation is to provide 10 properties of new affordable housing in Knaresborough, which will meet the requirements of the HRA Business Plan for the development of a minimum of 500 new Council homes across North Yorkshire.

Alternative options considered

The acquisition of “off the shelf” properties from developers forms an important part of the Council’s plans for both delivering the HRA Business Plan to provide 500 new Council homes. The acquisition of these properties forms quick wins for the Council, and there were no other viable options for acquisition of new properties available to the Council at the present time.

Recommendations

       i.         That having undertaken the required preliminary checks, the Executive resolves that the four key issues listed above in paragraph 7.3 of the report have been satisfied and there can be a determination of the proposals.

     ii.         The following proposals be approved:

·       To add provision for Special Educational Needs in the form of Targeted Mainstream Provision (TMP) at St Martin’s CofE VA Primary School and Selby High School from 1 September 2026.

·       To transfer the responsibility of the existing Targeted Mainstream Provision (TMP) based at Thirsk School and Sixth Form from the Hambleton and Richmond Pupil Referral Service to Thirsk School and Sixth Form.

·       To increase the number of places at the existing Targeted Mainstream Provision (TMP) at Alverton Primary School, Northallerton, from 8 to 16 places.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director for Children and Young People’s Service which sought approval of proposals to add provision for Special Educational Needs in the form of Targeted Mainstream Provision (TMP) at St Martin’s CofE VA Primary School and at Selby High School; transfer responsibility of existing TMP based at Thirsk School and Sixth Form to that school; and increase the number of places at the existing TMP from 8 to 16 at Alverton Primary School. Introducing the report, the Executive Member for Education, Learning & Skills, Councillor Annabel Wilkinson explained that the proposals would allow more children with additional needs to stay in mainstream schools to receive specialist support and attend school closer to home. The expansion was part of the council's ongoing SEND strategy, and subject to approval, the number of targeted mainstream provisions across North Yorkshire would increase from 16 to 22 and the total number of places would grow to 198. Members commended this much needed expansion of targeted mainstream provisions. In response to questions, they were advised that the growth in TMP was in part due to a prospectus based approach to attract interest from schools and from conversations with particular schools taking into account location and surplus capacity. Capital funding came from the High Needs Provision Capital Budget whilst revenue costs fell to the high needs block of the Dedicated Schools Grant.

Resolved (unanimously)

1. That having undertaken the required preliminary checks, the Executive resolves that the four key issues listed above in paragraph 7.3 of the report have been satisfied and there can be a determination of the proposals.

2. The following proposals be approved:

• To add provision for Special Educational Needs in the form of Targeted Mainstream Provision (TMP) at St Martin’s CofE VA Primary School and Selby High School from 1 September 2026.

• To transfer the responsibility of the existing Targeted Mainstream Provision (TMP) based at Thirsk School and Sixth Form from the Hambleton and Richmond Pupil Referral Service to Thirsk School and Sixth Form.

• To increase the number of places at the existing Targeted Mainstream Provision (TMP) at Alverton Primary School, Northallerton, from 8 to 16 places.

Reasons for recommendations

In 2020 the Local Authority launched the first phase of Targeted Mainstream Provisions that were approved as part of the Strategic Plan for SEND Provision 2018-2023. The next phase of Targeted Mainstream Provisions was approved as part of the Strategic Plan for SEND 2023-2027. The focus for each being either Communication and Interaction (C&I) or Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH). There are currently 16 Targeted Mainstream Provisions, creating 142 places across North Yorkshire. The proposed developments for September 2026, including these maintained schools and some academies will see the number of Targeted Mainstream Provisions increase to 22, with 198 places in total. The next wave of applications has recently closed, with 16 new TMPs in development for 2027.

Recommendations

       i.         That Executive notes the consultation undertaken on the proposed closure of Cauwood Day Service in Malton.

     ii.         That Executive notes the market development work undertaken to scope an alternative community-based support offer in Malton with a continuous workforce model.

    iii.         That Executive supports the proposal to close the building currently used for Cauwood Day Services and to develop and implement the proposed alternative transformed service model, and free up the site for a potential Extra Care.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director Health and Adult Services seeking approval to proceed to close the building currently used for Cauwood Day Service and to develop and implement the proposed transformed service model, keeping the Cauwood identity and providing appropriate support for individuals. The closure of the building would enable the development of an Extra Care Housing scheme in Malton. Before introducing the report, the Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, Councillor Michael Harrison circulated the following recommendations of Care and Independence Overview and Scrutiny Committee which had met earlier in the morning to consider the item:

The Committee endorses the recommendations arising from the recent meeting of the Thirsk & Malton Area Committee i.e:

That the Committee unanimously:

1. Supports the action requested within the petition, namely “to protect the service Cauwood provides - whether in its current building or a suitable new one”

2. Recognises the positive additions in the new executive report and commitment to a new Cauwood building following the consultation and community campaign. ⁠

3. Requests the Executive strengthens the recommendations to make it expressly clear that the current Cauwood building will remain open until an alternative site in the Ryedale area has been identified, demonstrated to have the support of service users and their families, and is fully operational to guarantee the continuity of quality care.

4. Seeks assurance that any replacement provision delivers equivalent (or improved) facilities and services, that the level of accreditation currently held by Cauwood is maintained, retains local access to a Changing Places facility, and ensures there is no reduction in the safety, dignity, accessibility or quality of care experienced by current service users.

In addition the Committee recommends that the following be provided to the Care & Independence Overview & Scrutiny Committee:

• Monthly detailed reports are provided on how works are progressing, in line with parents needs at front and foremost.

• A detailed timeline of works, locations and facility specifications is provided detailing provision, including changeable facilities in Malton.

• Full details of budgets set aside for closure and refit/refurbishment of all premises needed for continuation of services be provided.

Councillor Michael Harrison then presented the Executive report, reminding the meeting that consideration of the proposals had been deferred from April to enable further engagement and consultation. The Executive heard that the consultation had now been completed and that the revised proposals would retain the Cauwood service identity and existing staff team and transition to a new service model based around core locations in Pickering and Malton together with wider community-based opportunities. It was confirmed that the existing building would remain open until alternative arrangements were in place and users had completed their transition.

The Chair then invited local division members, Councillor Keane Duncan and Councillor Lindsay Burr and Chair of the Care and Independence Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Barbara Brodigan to address the meeting. Councillor Duncan, organiser of the Save Cauwood petition thanked members and officers for undertaking further consultation and stated that the campaign's objective had been to safeguard the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 960.

Considered the Forward Plan for the period 24 July 2026 to 31 July 2027.

Resolved

That the Forward Plan be noted.