Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Sam Gibbs.

To confirm the minutes as a correct record, and for them to be signed by the Chair.

Resolved:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2025, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

All Members are invited to declare at this point any interests they have in items appearing on this agenda, including the nature of those interests.

Councillors Hannah Gostlow and Matt Walker declared non-pecuniary interests in Minutes 29, as members of Knaresborough Town Council.  Councillors Chris Aldred, Michael Harrison, Paul Haslam, Monika Slater, and Andrew Timothy

declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 29, as members of Harrogate Town Council.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice (including the text of the question/statement) to Edward Maxwell of Democratic Services (contact details below) by midday on Monday 24 November.  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 Chair who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak

Four public statements had been submitted:

·         By Jenny Hayward, Dr Jenny Marks and Ruth Lily, in relation to Minute 28.

·         By Hazel Peacock, in relation to Minute 28.

·         By Stephanie Talbot, in relation to Minute 28.

·         By Gia Margolis, in relation to Minute 28.

Statement submitted by Jenny Hayward, Dr Jenny Marks and Ruth Lily

We are calling once again for the full and expedited delivery of the South and West Harrogate 20mph Zone. Repeated delays to its implementation have left children and residents exposed to unnecessary risks, despite overwhelming community support for action.

Completion of Phase 2 has now been postponed until late 2026, far beyond the original 2024 target for implementation of the full scheme. In the meantime, roads with average speeds above 24mph remain unchanged, and traffic continues to speed in close proximity to children—placing them, and the wider public, at ongoing risk. This is particularly alarming given the serious accident involving two teenagers in February 2023, and the daily use of these roads by over 6,000 students from seven local schools, including Ashville, Rossett School, Rossett Acre Primary, Harrogate Grammar School, and Western Primary in the Pannal Ash Area, as well as St John Fisher’s and St Aiden’s in the Oatlands area. Many others also use these roads to get to sports and further education facilities in the area.

As a reminder, our application for a 20mph zone in the Pannal Ash Area was submitted in November 2022 under the Council’s own policy. North Yorkshire Council acknowledged the need for speed reduction and traffic calming measures in 2023, announcing the South and West Harrogate 20mph Scheme that September.

The initial plan was to start with Green Lane and Pannal Ash Road, with public consultation showing strong support for speed cushions & a reduction to 20mph: 94.3% of respondents from properties directly fronting Green Lane and 62.7% from Pannal Ash Road supported the proposals, with similarly high backing from neighbouring streets.

Despite this, in September 2024 the Council announced that they were not progressing with this plan, citing the need to redesign traffic calming infrastructure. More than a year later, the situation remains stagnant. The ongoing delay has been attributed to awaiting results from a sinusoidal cushion trial in York—even though such calming measures have long been used successfully elsewhere across the UK and Europe. Meanwhile, other counties have moved quickly: Ilkley, for example, progressed from consultation on speed cushions to implementation within just four months (October 2023 to February 2024).

Residents’ frustration is mounting. Testimonials from local families highlight daily anxiety about student safety and near misses “I can’t let my child walk, it’s just too risky’’ says one parent. “I was hit by the wing mirror of a car whilst I was walking my child to school” adds another resident.

In other parts of the country, we see school streets, targeted 20 mph zones, traffic calming measures (including sinusoidal cushions) and low traffic neighbourhoods becoming the norm, with measurable benefits in terms of safety, air quality,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To update the committee on the latest air quality issues in North Yorkshire following the submission and acceptance of the council’s 2025 Air Quality Annual Status Report (2025 ASR) to DEFRA.

Dr Kevin Carr (Divisional Officer Scientific) provided an overview of air quality management work, following the recent submission of the annual status report to DEFRA.  It was explained that Local Air Quality Management, imposed by DEFRA, required regular review and assessment of air quality against statutory objectives, with nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter identified as the main concerns for North Yorkshire.  Monitoring arrangements, including diffusion tubes and particulate monitors, were outlined, and recent improvements were noted, resulting in the revocation of several Air Quality Management Areas, with further revocations proposed.  Members heard that an Air Quality Action Plan had been completed and that work continued with a multi-agency steering group to develop a council-wide Air Quality Strategy by March 2027.  Reference was made to links with regeneration projects, housing improvements, and community campaigns, as well as forthcoming legislation on PM2.5 and the need to align with World Health Organisation guidelines.  It was emphasised that while reporting obligations were met, implementation powers were limited, and ongoing collaboration across services remained essential.

During discussion, questions were raised regarding the contribution of electric vehicles to pollutant reduction, the adequacy of monitoring methods, and the timeliness of installing real-time equipment at Starbeck Crossing.  Members expressed support for air quality work, noting concerns about rural pollution from agricultural chemicals, the impact of wood-burning stoves, and seeking further information about the historic implementation of smoke control areas in Harrogate.  Officers clarified that monitoring continued after AQMA revocations and that additional PM2.5 legislation would introduce further monitors.  Issues relating to high-traffic junctions, funding for monitoring equipment, and dust from construction were discussed, with advice given on reporting nuisance complaints.  The relationship between air quality and climate change was acknowledged, alongside paradoxes in fuel use and enforcement challenges.  Suggestions were made for hybrid monitoring approaches and greater public engagement, and it was confirmed that existing monitors could be relocated to address emerging concerns.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

To advise the Committee of progress to date on the delivery of Active Travel schemes within Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Jasmin Gibson (Improvement Project Delivery Manager) presented a report which updated the committee on progress and expected delivery of Active Travel schemes across Harrogate and Knaresborough, following a request in March.

Members raised a range of issues relating to active travel and traffic calming measures.  Support was expressed for the use of sinusoidal cushions, with suggestions made for a 20 miles per hour limit outside Oaklands Infant School on Hookstone Road.  Questions were asked about the timing of implementation following consultation, and how differences between traffic calming types would be explained to the public.  Officers confirmed that Phase 2 designs were being progressed for consultation the following year, with Yew Tree Lane included and Whinney Lane to be considered separately.  It was noted that a 20 miles per hour limit had been introduced on the residential street adjacent to Oaklands Infant School, with further improvements planned, and that explanatory material for the public would be developed.  The need to accelerate delivery of schemes in Harlow Hill, Panel Ash, and Hookstone was emphasised, particularly in light of housing growth in West Harrogate, and officers explained that design complexity and consultation requirements were influencing timescales.

Members sought updates on wider active travel projects, including the Bilton to Hornbeam Park cycle route, the A59 missing link, and the Knaresborough missing link, as well as the Wetherby Road junction near Sainsbury’s.  Officers reported that £150,000 of ATF5 funding, with match funding from the traffic signals team, had been allocated to the Wetherby Road junction to add pedestrian facilities, with delivery required by March 2027.  On the A59 missing link, it was explained that design challenges remained due to the listed bridge, and further discussions with Active Travel England were planned.  The importance of local knowledge in route planning was acknowledged, and officers committed to continuing stakeholder engagement.

Questions were also raised about the promised active travel team and its role in addressing policy barriers and coordinating work.  Officers confirmed that the team remained a priority but had been delayed by network strategy restructures; development was planned for the following year within the network strategy team.  It was noted that active travel schemes had progressed successfully during the year, particularly in Harrogate, and that collaboration with Active Travel England continued.  Members highlighted the need for clarity on funding responsibilities between Active Travel England and the Combined Authority, and officers undertook to provide a detailed written response to all outstanding questions from the public and members.

Resolved:  That:

a)    The Area Committee write to Councillor Malcolm Taylor (Executive Member for Highways and Transportation) and Karl Battersby (Corporate Director Environment), requesting that the delivery of the Active Travel programme in Harrogate and Knaresborough be fast tracked.

b)    The Area Committee request a report be taken to the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider this matter.

c)    The report be noted.

To receive a presentation on the work of the Parish Liaison, Devolution and Community Rights (PLDCR) Team, including current activities and projects.

Mark Codman (Parish Liaison and Local Devolution Manager) provided an update on parish liaison, devolution, and community rights.  It was reported that his team supported parish and town councils in their responsibilities, managed statutory duties relating to devolution and community rights, and acted as a single point of contact for 572 parish sector organisations.  The Parish Charter, adopted in 2023, underpinned engagement and was reviewed annually with Yorkshire Local Councils Association representatives.  Key initiatives included monthly updates, drop-in sessions, and a representative panel for feedback.  The team had handled over 400 queries and was developing new surgeries and a parish website.  Work on devolution included pilots such as Knaresborough market, development of a devolution framework, and promotion of community asset nominations.  Changes in the forthcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill were highlighted, including extended protection for Assets of Community Value and potential impacts on neighbourhood governance.

Members welcomed the update and praised the team’s role in improving communication and supporting local councils.  Questions were raised about lessons learned from double devolution pilots and whether an evaluation should be referred to committee.  Officers confirmed that review processes were built into the framework and engagement with town councils would inform improvements.  Members expressed interest in promoting the benefits of devolution more widely and were assured that this was being emphasised at meetings, with a standardised approach planned for future agreements.

Concerns were raised about consultation timeframes, with examples given where parish councils lacked sufficient time to respond.  Officers acknowledged the issue and confirmed that a 12-week period was the ideal standard, though legislative constraints sometimes applied.  Members also highlighted a range of specific queries and were advised to contact the team separately for further advice.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

To receive a verbal update from Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.

Martin Mann (Chief Executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce) an update was provided by the Harrogate Chamber of Commerce on its five key priorities aligned with the town improvement plan: leveraging spa heritage, using empty buildings, improving transport reliability, promoting sustainable construction and retrofitting, and enhancing the town’s quarters and event rhythm.  Proposals included stronger interpretation of spa heritage, a British Spa Museum, and a spa tour linking key sites; fast-tracking upper floor redevelopments and introducing a “space finder” service; improving public transport reliability and exploring park and ride options; positioning Harrogate as a regional hub for retrofit training; and enhancing public realm and event coordination to increase visitor dwell time and overnight stays.

Members welcomed the presentation emphasised the importance of collaboration between community and business organisations and the Council, with suggestions to invite representatives from Harrogate Theatre, the Convention Centre, and International Festivals to a future meeting.  It was noted that better communication between organisations, including Knaresborough, was essential to avoid duplication and ensure progress.  Members supported closer engagement with businesses and highlighted the need to address tired public realm features such as benches and street furniture, suggesting this be considered in the committee’s work programme.

Further comments stressed the need to involve Harrogate and Knaresborough Town Councils in discussions to align ambitions and avoid duplication.  Harrogate’s contribution to North Yorkshire’s economy was recognised, and members emphasised that success locally supported success county-wide.  The Chair noted that this marked the start of a wider conversation, with plans to include the topic in the mid-cycle briefing and link with town council plans.  The fully-staffed economic development team was highlighted as an opportunity to progress delegated responsibilities in this area.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

The Chair advised that he would pass any members’ comments on the written report to the Mid Cycle Briefing.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

a)    to ask Members to consider the Committee’s work programme and amend it as required.

b)    to inform Members and the public of work undertaken since the last Committee meeting, including informal meetings and working group sessions.

c)    to inform Members of progress made on issues raised during and since the last Committee meeting.

Edward Maxwell (Senior Democratic Services Officer) presented the latest version of the committee’s work programme, including items for consideration at future meetings, and an update of informal and working group meetings held since the last meeting.

·         Councillor Gostlow requested that the active travel team, once formed in the new year, could be invited to a meeting.

·         Councillor Gostlow also referred to the previous meeting’s Section 19 flooding report and the Executive Member for Environment’s decisions on further work, asking if he could be invited to a meeting to provide more information.

·         Councillor Aldred reported that there had not been a meeting of the Station Gateway Working Group since the previous committee meeting.  He noted that an Executive decision had been made for the Traffic Regulation Order to go ahead, with work expected to start in January 2026.

·         Councillor Lacey noted that the Housing Liaison Working Group had held an informal meeting earlier that week, and notes had been circulated to attendees.  

Resolved:  That the Work Programme be approved, subject to the above updates.

Thursday 26 March 2026, at 10:00, at the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, St Luke’s Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 2AE.

The date of the next ordinary meeting of the Committee, on Thursday 26 March 2026 at 10:00am, was noted.