Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Melanie Davis and Independent Person Hilary Gilbertson.

Councillor Sam Cross attended remotely.

There were none.

Considered –

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services presenting the final recommendations for new town councils to be created for Harrogate and Scarborough, along with proposed minor amendments to parish boundaries in Scarborough affecting three parish councils.

Following presentation of the report Members raised the following:

·       Harrogate consisting of single member ward was generally agreed but it was noted that this was the start of the process and the LGBR review in 2027 would also prove a starting point.

·       The suggestion of multi member wards in Scarborough was of concern as a number of members felt this was not a workable option. It was pleasing to members that the boundaries had been tidied up.

·       It was asked how many of the respondents to the consultation were from Scarborough residents. The report noted the results of the consultation and supported the opinion that the response rate was not huge.

·       It was generally agreed across the Committee that the process should not be delayed any longer and we should press ahead.

It was proposed by Councillor Nigel Knapton and seconded by Councillor Heather Phillips that an amendment be made to the report to recommend a single member warding pattern for Scarborough.

Upon taking a vote, this was approved unanimously. This will result in amendments being made to recommendation ii)B (5) and (7) at section 15.0 of the main report.

It was then proposed by Councillor Nigel Knapton and seconded by Councillor Monica Slater that the recommendations, as amended, then be made to Full Council on 24^th July 2024.

Upon taking a vote, this was agreed unanimously.

Considered-

A report of the Monitoring Officer concerning a dispensation request from Councillor

Yvonne Peacock. This request was for four years from today’s date and would

allow her to speak and vote at meetings of the Housing and Leisure Overview

and Scrutiny Committee and full Council regarding community led housing and the

‘policy on second home extra council tax to spend on housing. A copy of Councillor Peacock’s application was attached to the report. She believed the application would satisfy the appropriate criteria, namely that the granting of the dispensation would be in the interests of persons living in the authority’s area.

Councillor Peacock states that she is a Director on the Upper Dales Community Land

Trust which covers the Upper Dales which has over 640 second homes. She states

that she has been heavily involved in delivering the building of homes in the Upper

Dales and has detailed knowledge of the difficulties and barriers facing the delivery of

affordable homes in rural areas. Councillor Peacock feels she could usefully inform

any debate on these issues and is seeking a dispensation to enable her to fully

participate in council business relating to these issues.

Councillor Peacock has indicated that she is seeking the dispensation in order to inform relevant debate and would not participate in any vote required on direct funding to the Trust.

Members discussed the request, and the following issues were raised:

•       It was clarified that Members were required to declare at meetings that

they had been given a dispensation when an issue arose relating to that matter.

•       It was questioned and clarified in relation to the nature of the dispensation, i.e., to participate in debate.

•       It was discussed if a separate dispensation be required for the National Park area and whether that falls within the Local Plan.

•       The dispensation to be granted for a full four years which would carry over into the new Term of Office post May 2027.

•       It was considered wise of Councillor Peacock to request the dispensation.

Resolved

That the dispensation request for Councillor Yvonne Peacock be approved, as set out in the report.

Voting Record

Unanimous

There was no urgent business.

The next meeting is on Friday 6^th September 2024 @ 2pm in The Brierley Room at County Hall, Northallerton.

The next meeting is on Friday 6^th September 2024 @2pm in the Brierley Room.

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 Christine Phillipson of Democratic Services (contact details at the foot of page 1 of the agenda sheet) by midday on Wednesday 10^th July 2024. 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); or

• when the relevant Agenda item is being considered if they wish to speak on a matter which is on the Agenda for this meeting.

There were no public questions or statements.