Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Philip Barrett, Cunliffe-Lister, Myers, Noland, Solloway, Staveley and Windass.

Considered

The minutes of the meeting of the Skipton and Ripon Area Committee held on 5 September 2024.

Resolved

(a)   That the Minutes of the meeting of the Skipton and Ripon Area Committee held on 5 September 2024, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and 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 Barbara Brodigan declared an interest in Item 5 on the agenda as organiser of the petition. Councillor Brodigan declared that she would speak as petition organiser but remove herself from the debate and not partake in the vote.

Councillor Andrew Williams declared a non-prejudicial interest in Item 5 on the agenda due to his membership on Ripon City Council where this issue has been discussed previously. Councillor Williams declared that he would take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

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 XXXX of Democratic and Scrutiny Services and supplied the text (contact details below) by midday on XXXX, 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 Chairman who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

A public statement was received from Mr Tom Cavell-Taylor. The statement recognised North Yorkshire Council’s financial pressures; outlined the benefits and popularity of Ripon Market; made comparisons to markets in other towns across North Yorkshire; and referred to schemes seeking to develop town and city centres across North Yorkshire.

As this statement related to Item 5 on the agenda, the Chair decided that an Officer response would be heard following the statements made at Item 5.

To advise of a petition containing more than 500 signatures and ask the Committee to consider a response.

Considered

A report advising the Committee of a petition received by North Yorkshire Council, containing over 500 signatures.

Councillor Barbara Brodigan spoke as organiser of the petition and City Councillor Paulene McHardy spoke as co-organiser. The following key points were made:

-      There is cross-party support for the petition.

-      The petition asks that the decision to withdraw North Yorkshire Council’s market stall set-up service is delayed until a full community and economic impact assessment is carried out and a decision on Ripon City Council’s double devolution bid has been made.

-      Ripon market has a long history and plays a key part in the local economy.

-      If the service is removed, some traders have indicated that they will stop trading.

-      North Yorkshire Council’s aim is to promote the regeneration of city and town centres.

-      There were queries disputes the financial information, with a suggestion that an economic impact assessment would be useful.

In the debate, the following comments were made:

-      The spare space on the marketplace should be actively promoted.

-      The Executive Member for Highways and Transportation should defer making a decision on this issue for 6 months, continuing the service.

-      Based on footfall, Thursday, which is the main market day, is the sixth busiest day of the week. This shows that the market needs improvement.

-      Store holders that don’t self-erect elsewhere should be consulted before a decision is made.

-      That the market should be in the control of Ripon City Council and therefore the devolution bid should be supported.

-      An economic and community impact assessment should be done if the empty spaces on the market cannot be filled.

-      That the Area Committee should have the chance to provide its views on the assessments if they take place.

A motion was proposed and seconded, and a vote took place. It was:-

Resolved

That the Area Committee recommends

a)     That the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation defer making a decision on this issue for 6 months, continuing the service.

b)     That North Yorkshire Council actively and aggressively markets the space that exists on Ripon Marketplace for use on market days.

c)     That if this change in policy is still being considered following the active and aggressive marketing of the space, an economic and community impact assessment is carried out to assess the vitality of the market. This should only be carried out if the change in policy is still being considered. The Area Committee should be consulted on the assessment in June before a decision is brought before the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation.

d)     That North Yorkshire Council engages in detailed discussions with stall holders that don’t self-erect elsewhere, discussing alternative approaches if North Yorkshire Council does withdraw the erection of the stalls.

The Area Committee also endorsed the double devolution deal for Ripon City Council, which includes Ripon Marketplace.

Considered

A report by David Smith, Democratic Services Officer, inviting Members to consider, amend and add to the Committee’s work programme.

Members made the following amendments to the work programme:

·        A regular written update on the economic environment of the Skipton and Ripon area to be circulated to Members a fortnight before every meeting.

Resolved

a)     That the above amendments be made to the work programme.

Any other items which the Chair agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances.

There were none.

Thursday, 12 December 2024 at 10.00am.

Thursday, 12 December 2024 at 10.00am.