Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Resolved

That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2025, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillors Carl Les and Gareth Dadd declared non-pecuniary interests in Minute 669 as they were Members of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

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 Wednesday 30 April, 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.

There were no public questions or statements.

Recommendations

i)               That Executive approves the refreshed Charging Policies for Adult Residential and Community-Based Care while noting that no changes have been proposed which change how or what people are charged.

ii)              Executive agrees that approval of any future minor changes to these Policies (not having any impact on what or how people are charged), or changes otherwise required by legislation, is delegated to the Corporate Director – Health and Adult Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Health and Adult Services and the Corporate Director – Resources.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Health and Adult Services presenting refreshed and updated Charging Policies for Adult Social Care for approval.

The Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, Councillor Michael Harrison, introduced the report advising that it was good practice for such policies to be reviewed and updated from time to time.  None of the changes had any impact on what or how people were charged.

Resolved (unanimously) – that

i)              the refreshed Charging Policies for Adult Residential and Community-Based Care be approved while noting that no changes have been proposed which change how or what people are charged.

ii)             approval of any future minor changes to these Policies (not having any impact on what or how people are charged), or changes otherwise required by legislation, is delegated to the Corporate Director Health and Adult Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Health and Adult Services and the Corporate Director Resources.

Reasons for Recommendations

The recommendations seek to refresh the current Policies, while not making any changes in how people are charged for services and to allow the Corporate Director Health and Adult Services (in consultation with the Executive Member for Health and Adult Services and the Corporate Director Resources) to make any future minor changes which have no impact on how and what people are charged for care.

Recommendations

i)              That the Executive authorises the acceptance of grant funding of up to £1.2million from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to support the costs of developing investment plans for towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire. 

ii)         That the Corporate Director of Community Development in consultation with the Assistant Director of Resources (Community Development) and the Assistant Chief Executive for Legal and Democratic are granted delegated authority to agree and enter into the final terms of the grant agreement with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Community Development recommending the acceptance of grant funding of up to £1.2 million from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to support the costs of developing tailored investment plans for towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire.

The Executive Member for Open to Business, Councillor Mark Crane, introduced the report which provided an overview of the Town Investment Plan programme which would develop tailored investment plans for 32 towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire.  The plans would provide a strategic approach to regeneration and investment, building on work already done and will provide the best opportunities for each place.  The funding would be topped up with £110k of money from North Yorkshire Council.

The Executive Member responded to a written question from a member of the public and confirmed that town and parish councils would be consulted, as well as local division Members and business and other groups.

Councillors Yvonne Peacock, Kevin Foster and Stuart Parsons all attended the meeting and spoke in support of the proposals.

Resolved (unanimously) – that

i)              the acceptance of grant funding of up to £1.2 million from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority be authorised to support the costs of developing investment plans for towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire. 

ii)         the Corporate Director Community Development in consultation with the Assistant Director of Resources (Community Development) and the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services are granted delegated authority to agree and enter into the final terms of the grant agreement with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Reasons for recommendations

The recommendation will secure the external funding needed to deliver a priority action in the North Yorkshire Council Plan (2025 – 2029) to lead work to develop clear and prioritised ‘Town Investment Plans’ for towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire.

Alternative options considered

The alternative options would be to disaggregate the programme or not to undertake it at all, thereby foregoing the creation of town investment plans. The potential consequences of the latter option include limited economic growth, fewer job opportunities, and a decline in the quality of life and community well-being, as our towns and service centres struggle to attract new businesses and investment. Without an investment plan, our towns and service centres may miss out on securing external funding, limiting their ability to finance improvements. A disaggregated approach would inhibit the sharing of resources and best practices across the county, creating inequity between communities and their opportunities to attract funding and investment.

Overall, the absence of this programme and the resulting town investment plans could hinder the sustainable development and revitalisation of communities in North Yorkshire.

Recommendations

That the Executive approve in principle the transfer of the site at undervalue to Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust and to delegate to the Corporate Director – Resources in consultation with the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services to make the final decision to transfer and all associated decisions in accordance with the terms set out in paragraph 7.5 and subject to RBPT securing the necessary grant funding.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Resources in relation to the transfer of the former Richmond Grammar School to the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust (RBPT) for use as a community facility and to delegate the final decision to the Corporate Director Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Resources and the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services. 

The Executive Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Gareth Dadd, welcomed the report and introduced Marie-Ann Jackson, Head of Localities, who made the following key points:

·       The property was Grade II listed and was in the conservation area.

·       North Yorkshire County Council had transferred the building to Richmondshire District Council in November 2012 to be utilised for the community. The building had remained vacant despite efforts to bring it back into community use and had continued to deteriorate.

·       RBPT had approached NYC with an ambition to put together a business case to bring the property back into use as a community facility.  Extensive public consultation had taken place which demonstrated a high level of support from the town.  Culture and digital opportunities were highlighted as a priority for local people, and there was also a view that any use of the building not conflict with existing businesses in the town.

·       RBPT was proposing to create a Centre for Creativity and Digital Enterprise with a strong youth focus.  In addition a cultural and digital hub may provide opportunities for the library or adult learning.

·       To achieve the full ambition of RBPT an investment of up to £10m in the building would be required, though a lesser investment would bring the building back into operational use.

·       The proposals aligned with a number of council priorities, most significantly the cultural strategy and policy for assets of community value.

·       The property was valued at £370k and the proposal was to transfer the property to the Trust at nil value, which the Council was legally able to do for a property valued under £2m.  As the proposal was to transfer at undervalue the new subsidy regulations would apply, so the recommendation will be subject to the Trust being able to satisfy the subsidy control assessment and officers would assist to ensure the Trust can comply with the regulations.

Councillor Stuart Parsons, the local division Member, spoke in support of the proposals and supported the ambition of the Trustees to focus on young people and provide support in relation to careers and other opportunities. 

Members of the Executive welcomed the proposals which would see a community building brought back into use and provide support for less advantaged members of the community.

Resolved (unanimously) –

That the Executive approve in principle the transfer of the site at undervalue to Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust and to delegate to the Corporate Director Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Resources and the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services to make the final decision to transfer and all associated decisions in accordance with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 670.

Recommended

That, subject to any comments Members may have:

(a)   the proposed amendments to the Constitution set out in Part A of Appendix 1 be recommended to full Council for approval;

(b)   Members note the amendments to the Constitution set out in Part B of Appendix 1 to this report, made by the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services under his delegated powers, for reporting back to full Council for information;

(c)   The proposed amendments to Council Procedure Rule 11.1(i) as set out by way of tracked changes in paragraph 4.3 be recommended to full Council for approval;

(d)   The proposed amendments to the Code of Practice for Councillors and Officers Dealing with Planning Matters set out in paragraph 5.1 of this report be recommended to full Council for approval;

(e)   The proposed amendments to change references to ‘special meeting’ to ‘extraordinary meeting’ in the Constitution, as set out in paragraph 6.2 of this report be recommended to full Council for approval;

(f)    The proposed amendments to Council Procedure Rule 15, as set out in Appendix 2 to this report, be recommended to full Council for approval.

Considered – A report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services presenting amendments to the Council’s Constitution made under delegated powers and proposed amendments to the Constitution for recommendation to full Council.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Heather Phillips, presented the report and referred to the work of the Members Working Group on the Constitution which continued to review the Constitution and make recommendations to Executive.

The Working Group had made recommendations in relation to Council Procedure Rule 11 and the management of Notices of Motion submitted to Council meetings.  It was noted that there would be limited debate on a Motion referred back to Council from Committee.  However, it was confirmed that a full debate could take place at the relevant committee which would be provided with relevant information to inform that debate. 

Resolved – that:

(a)   the proposed amendments to the Constitution set out in Part A of Appendix 1 be recommended to full Council for approval;

(b)   Members note the amendments to the Constitution set out in Part B of Appendix 1 to this report, made by the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services under his delegated powers, for reporting back to full Council for information;

(c)   The proposed amendments to Council Procedure Rule 11.1(i) as set out by way of tracked changes in paragraph 4.3 be recommended to full Council for approval;

(d)   The proposed amendments to the Code of Practice for Councillors and Officers Dealing with Planning Matters set out in paragraph 5.1 of this report be recommended to full Council for approval;

(e)   The proposed amendments to change references to ‘special meeting’ to ‘extraordinary meeting’ in the Constitution, as set out in paragraph 6.2 of this report be recommended to full Council for approval;

(f)    The proposed amendments to Council Procedure Rule 15, as set out in Appendix 2 to this report, be recommended to full Council for approval.

Reasons for Recommendations

For the reasons set out in the body of this report and in the Appendices, it is recommended that, subject to any comments Members may have, the matters raised in this report be considered and the recommendations and proposed changes to the Constitution set out below be recommended to full Council for information and/or approval as indicated.

Considered – The Forward Plan for the period 25 April 2025 to 30 April 2025 was presented.

Resolved

That the Forward Plan be noted.