Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Michael Harrison.  It was noted that Councillor Heather Phillips was attending the meeting remotely and would not be able to vote on any of the items.

Resolved

That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2025, 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 2 October 2025, 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.

Four public questions and statements had been received in relation to Minute 753 – Richmond Swimming Pool Options Appraisal, which are detailed below.

1.         Question from Matthew Ward

Thank you councillors, officers and chair.

My name is Matthew Ward and I am resident of Richmond and, with my entire family, long-term, frequent users of Richmond Pool.  

I would like to start by recognising the commitment which North Yorkshire Council is showing to Richmond by finding the money to repair our pool.   I am extremely grateful for the work of many to get to this stage.  This crucial resource cannot be allowed for fall into disrepair and closure.  It is a cornerstone of our community, an iconic building and a vital swimming facility for the people of Richmond and beyond   We hope it will continue to provide opportunities for exercise, training, rehabilitation, social interaction and fun …. for many years to come. 

Throughout this closure, consultation and decision-making process thousands of people have missed out on opportunities to swim and enjoy the pool.  All we wanted was it to be fixed, improved and reopened as soon as possible.  And I’m really glad that finally seems to be happening. 

Now it is vital that the work is carried out swiftly and to an excellent standard.  And once the pool is reopened, it is crucial that it is run with vigour and purpose to recapture those users who have been denied access for what will be a year, clubs and schools who’ve had to make alternative, inferior arrangements,  coaches and staff who really want the pool to be a success.   We need those who value our pool back in and around the water. 

And we need to get more users.  People who’ve never been, or used to go years ago and were put off by regular closures, cold changing rooms and unmotivated staff.   And to that end, I would like to ask councillors and officers to confirm previous offers of ongoing dialogue with a community group of users and stakeholders to feedback our experiences and look for opportunities for improvement.  We have ideas that need to be taken into account.  The user experience of the pool MUST improve.

Finally, I would like assurances about future investment.  While it is wonderful that it looks like the money is forthcoming for a set of immediate needs to reopen the pool, it needs to be acknowledged that a facility, which will celebrate 50 years of use next year, will need more investment in the future.   Given that our only alternative is an MOD-owed facility, already busting at the seams, in a growing military town, Richmond pool and leisure facilities must remain viable.  What guarantees can the council give us that running costs will be met for the foreseeable future and, when the next costly repair or improvement is needed, money will be found?

Response: 

The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, thanked Mr Ward for his question that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 753.

Recommendation

That essential repairs are undertaken to a value of approximately £1.2m, funded from the Strategic Capacity Unallocated reserve, to enable Richmond Pool to reopen to the public.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Community Development setting out the findings and recommendations in relation to the future options for Richmond Pool.

The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, introduced the report which set out that Richmond Pool had been transferred to the Council’s in-house leisure service in March 2025.  In April sections of the ceiling fell into the pool hall resulting in the closure of the pool.  A full options appraisal had been carried out to assess the options for the future of the site, and this included community consultation.  The preferred option was to undertake essential works to the pool to enable it to re-open as quickly as possible and also to make improvements to the gym. 

Councillor Stuart Parsons addressed the Executive and described the background to the closure of the pool, which had previously been run by a trust, whilst still requiring council subsidy.  Councillor Parsons referred to the expansion of Catterick Garrison which was likely to mean that Catterick Pool would not be available for public use in the future and supported the proposals for repair.

In response to a query from Councillor Gareth Dadd on the annual subsidy which would be required, the Assistant Director Culture and Leisure and Assistant Director Resources explained that the annual budget for 2025/26 was c£408k per year and it was hoped that this would reduce over time as the pool benefitted from the efficiencies of being part of a larger service. The business plan subsidy figure for option 1 of £528k took into account capital repayment costs for the proposed investment.

Whilst the pool had historically been less well used than other Council leisure facilities the Executive Member stressed the importance of residents making use of the facility.  The MOD were thanked for allowing use of Catterick Pool whilst Richmond Pool was closed.

Resolved (unanimously)

That essential repairs are undertaken to a value of approximately £1.2m, funded from the Strategic Capacity Unallocated reserve, to enable Richmond Pool to reopen to the public.

Reason for recommendation

To enable works to be undertaken to Richmond Pool and for it to fully re-open for community use.

Alternative options considered

A range of alternative options were considered as outlined in detail in section 4 of the report.

Recommendations

That the Executive:

1)    Approve the submission of the BRMWG’s recommendations to the Boundary Commission on behalf of North Yorkshire Council

2)    Delegate authority to the Assistant Chief Executive Local Engagement, in consultation with the Council Leader and Chairman of the BRMWG, to submit the response with any amendments or additional information required for clarity in communicating the recommendations of the group. 

Considered – A report of the Assistant Chief Executive Local Engagement reporting the views of the Boundary Review Member Working Group (BRMWG) in respect of revised proposals on Council Division Boundaries by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.  The Executive were asked to approve the submission of the Working Group’s recommendations to the Boundary Commission’s consultation on behalf of North Yorkshire Council.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services presented the report and thanked Cllr John Weighell and Will Boardman for their work to support the BRMWG.

Resolved (unanimously)

1)    That the submission of the BRMWG’s recommendations to the Boundary Commission on behalf of North Yorkshire Council be approved

2)    That authority be delegated to the Assistant Chief Executive Local Engagement, in consultation with the Council Leader and Chairman of the BRMWG, to submit the response with any amendments or additional information required for clarity in communicating the recommendations of the group. 

Recommendation

That the Executive notes the report and considers any matters arising from the work of the six Area Committees, that merits 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 September round of meetings of the Area Committees. 

Resolved

That the report be noted.

Considered – The  Forward Plan for the period 26 September 2025 to 30 September 2026 was presented.

Resolved

That the Forward Plan be noted.