Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Paul Haslam and Matt Walker.

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 27 November 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.

Councillor Chris Aldred declared a non-registerable interest in Minute 39, as an exam invigilator at Harrogate High School.

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 23 March.  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.

Three public statements had been submitted:

·         By Gia Margolis, in relation to Minute 38.

·         By Dr Jenny Marks, Ruth Lily and Hazel Peacock, in relation to Minute 38.

·         By Christopher Dunn, in relation to Minutes 38 and 39.

Statement submitted by Gia Margolis

In 2028 Cycling UK will celebrate the 150^th anniversary of its creation here in Harrogate where on August 5^th 1878, the Bicycle Touring Club was founded by Stanley Cotterell. This is commemorated by a plaque on the corner of Crescent Road opposite the George Inn. Now called Cycling UK with nearly 70,000 members, it claims to be the oldest transport organisation in the world.

The 150^th anniversary provides Harrogate and North Yorkshire with a unique opportunity to celebrate this historic event.

I would like to request that a working party is formed to prepare for this anniversary. The goal would be to deliver some new or improved cycle infrastructure. A working party needs to start now to plan for a cycling project or projects that could be completed in time for the anniversary in August 2028. I will be contacting The Mayor’s Office, Harrogate Town Council, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, formerly Sustrans, and Cycling UK to help with this venture.

The following response was provided by the Chair of the Area Committee:

Thank you for raising this exciting opportunity to celebrate cycling in the area.  We don’t have the power to set up a working group along the lines you suggest, but we would be happy to participate in any joint meetings with the town councils and any other interested parties.  Officers are very happy to support commemorative events, and we are excited to hear more about this opportunity.  Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

Statement submitted by Dr Jenny Marks, Ruth Lily and Hazel Peacock

We have been campaigning for improved road safety in the Pannal Ash and Oatlands area since 2020, supported by headteachers and residents, 1800 of whom signed our petitions calling for action. We have spoken repeatedly at this committee about our community’s concern for the safety of our children and other vulnerable road users. The validity of that concern was brought into stark relief when two teenagers were seriously injured on Yew Tree Lane in 2023.

In September 2023, NYC announced its intention to install 20mph speed limits with supporting traffic calming on Yew Tree Lane, Pannal Ash Road, Green Lane, Beckwith Road and Arthur’s Avenue, as part of its South and West Harrogate 20mph Zone.

We are pleased to read in today’s 20mph update that NYC intends to install sinusoidal cushions on Arthur’s Avenue, Beech Grove, and Oatlands Drive. We note, however, that no timescale is given for this. Sinusoidal cushions have recently been successfully trialled in York. NYC’s update states that if ‘initial installations are successful and the contractors are able to construct the profile consistently, and maintenance is not problematic, then consideration will be given to their use more widely’. It seems odd that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Report of the Corporate Director Environment, advising the Committee of progress to date on the delivery of Active Travel schemes within Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Jasmin Gibson (Improvement Project Delivery Manager) presented an update on the progress of active travel schemes across Harrogate and Knaresborough, noting recent delivery milestones, ongoing design and consultation work, and upcoming construction programmes.  The report highlighted developments on key projects including the Oatlands and Wetherby Road crossings, Bilton Crossing, Otley Road sustainable transport measures, 20mph zone proposals, and wider cycle network planning.  Members were advised that while several schemes are progressing to delivery, others remain subject to design refinement, stakeholder engagement, landowner discussions, and alignment with broader transport initiatives.

Members raised concerns about the adequacy of 20mph repeater signage on several roads and requested checks; officers confirmed compliance with standards but agreed to re‑inspect in case of missing signs.  Clarification was sought on the proposed uncontrolled crossing near Western Primary School and its consultation timeline.  Officers explained that a controlled crossing was not feasible due to proximity to existing signals, and that consultation would run alongside proposals to extend the 20mph zone on Cold Bath Road.  Questions were also raised about procurement of sinusoidal ramps; officers confirmed the contract was not yet awarded and that prior experience would be assessed.

Members queried delays to the Killinghall/Nidderdale Greenway access improvements, with officers explaining that widening the path required private land.  Further questions were asked about the A59 “missing link,” including why shared use over High Bridge was not possible; officers advised that pedestrian volumes exceeded national thresholds and outlined plans for a bi‑directional cycle track with crossing points linking to existing advisory lanes.  The committee discussed the methodology of consultation exercises.  Officers confirmed that forthcoming informal and formal consultations would include letter drops, plans and email response options, and were intended to gather all views.  An update would be provided at the next meeting.  Members raised wider concerns about delays to active travel schemes and asked whether a dedicated active travel team existed; officers confirmed that a team was not yet in place but remained an aspiration.  An update on the A59 missing link would follow once the Road Safety Audit had been reviewed.

Members gave positive feedback on the recently delivered parallel crossings on Wetherby Road and Oatlands Drive, which were already noted as having a positive impact.  Officers confirmed that the associated Road Safety Audit had been received, and any remedial works would be undertaken.  Clarification was also sought on the Bilton to Hornbeam Park cycle route, and it was explained that the northern and southern sections were being progressed first, with the more complex town centre section to follow.

Members noted concerns about North Yorkshire’s low Active Travel England rating and requested information on improvement plans; officers agreed to request information from the Transport Planning Team.  Questions were also raised about the use of sustainable transport funding for improvements to the Cold Bath Road/Otley Road traffic signals; officers explained that the works formed part of a wider corridor programme benefiting all users, including both drivers and pedestrians.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Report of the Assistant Directors Education and Inclusion, and Resources, updating the Area Committee on the performance of schools in the Harrogate and Knaresborough area.

Jon Holden (Head of School Organisation and Transport) and Chris Reynolds (Head of SEND and Resources) presented a report updating the committee on the local education landscape, noting that the Harrogate and Knaresborough area contains 39 schools, the majority of which are academies. 

It was noted that secondary funding levels, ranked 142^nd of 151 nationally, were largely influenced by Department for Education formulae, particularly high needs and SEND‑related factors, and officers undertook to supply a fuller technical explanation.  Members also sought clarification on behaviour and leadership concerns identified in Ofsted judgments, with officers outlining the interventions available through both the Council’s school improvement team and academy trust improvement teams.  Updates were given on suspensions and exclusions, elective home education responsibilities, and the availability of attendance data.  Questions on forecasting methods, including the use of Local Plan data, were addressed, with officers confirming that forecasts were regularly refreshed and that decisions on new school provision were based on a combination of pupil numbers, development triggers and the need to avoid destabilising existing schools.

Extensive discussion took place on school place planning in Harrogate and Knaresborough, including the potential need for future schools linked to new developments.  Members raised concerns about transport logistics and community expectations, particularly regarding Oaklands Junior School capacity, Penny Pot Lane developments, and the anticipated Woodfield School opening, for which officers confirmed technical matters were still being resolved before a date could be announced.  Questions were also asked about the trigger points and timescales for King Edwin Primary School and the implications of Section 106 expiry on sites such as Knaresborough Manse Farm, with officers emphasising that current forecasts did not yet justify new provision, but that monitoring would continue.  Members commented on Maltkiln and the wider issue of aligning school provision with sustainability objectives, and officers outlined the pupil‑yield calculations that informed decisions, noting that current development levels did not support a standalone secondary school.  The committee noted the broader need to consider social, environmental and active‑travel impacts when planning future provision.

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.

Resolved:

a)    That the Work Programme be approved, subject to:

                  i.        Councillor Gostlow requested that Active Travel be included as a standing item, noting ongoing public interest and the need for regular oversight of scheme progress.

                 ii.        Councillor Gostlow also requested that the Cycling UK anniversary mentioned during the public questions be added to the Work Programme, so that Members could be kept informed of future plans.

                iii.        Councillor Lacey noted that the Area Committee would look to comment on the allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy funding and Section 106 monies in future, in accordance with the delegated powers set out in the Constitution.

b)    That:

                    i.          Councillor Mike Schofield be appointed to the vacancy on the Housing Liaison Working Group.

                   ii.          Councillor Mike Schofield be appointed to the vacancy on the Climate Change Working Group.

Written report of the Corporate Director Environment, informing members of the Area Committee of the progress made against the recommendations of the Flood Investigation report on the significant flood event that affected Knaresborough on 6 May 2024.

Members noted the written report, and requested continued updates on the review undertaken by the Transport, Economy, Environment, and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee.

Written report of Harrogate Youth Council, outlining its activities and areas of concern to bring to the Area Committee’s attention.

Members noted the written report, and commended the engagement and enthusiasm shown by members of Harrogate Youth Council, and welcomed further communication from them, as well as from Knaresborough Youth Council, on issues of concern to young people in the area.

Written report of the Corporate Director of Community Development, to provide an update to the Area Committee on progress with the development of Town Investment Plans for Harrogate, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge, including recent engagement activity, emerging priorities and proposed next steps.  This interim written update is in advance of the full report, scheduled for consideration at the June 2026 meeting of the Area Committee.

Written report of the Head of Waste Operations and Street Scene, updating the Area Committee on performance in waste collection and street scene.

Members noted the written report and asked if further information on the high levels of missed bin collections in May and August 2025 could be explained in writing.  They also wished to place on record their thanks to officers for addressing this issue.

Thursday 4 June 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 4 June 2026 at 10:00am, was noted.