Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Resolved

That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2026, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillor Malcolm Taylor declared an interest in respect of Minute Item 863 since a member of his family was employed by North Yorkshire Council.

Members are recommended to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of each of the items of business listed in Column 1 of the following table on the grounds that they each involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph(s) specified in column 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information)(Variation) Order 2006:-

It was noted that the reports relating to Minute item 863 – Property acquisition to support the Council’s asset rationalisation programme and Minute Item 870 – Harrogate Convention Centre Studio 2 refurbishment works both contained exempt appendices. As the contents of the appendices were not discussed there was no requirement to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of these items.

embers of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to St John Harris , Principal Democratic Services Officer, and supplied the text by midday on Thursday,12 March 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.

In total there were 13 public questions or statements submitted. Five were considered under Minute Item 863 – Property acquisition to support the Council’s asset rationalisation programme, six under Minute Item 864 - Adoption of a revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, and two under Minute Item 868 – Whitby Cliff Lift and access to Whitby West Cliff Beach.

Recommendations

That

i)               Approval be given to acquire Resolution House, based on the Heads of Terms provided in Private & Confidential Appendix A.

ii)              In-principle approval be granted for investment of up to £750k to support the establishment of new front-facing customer service points in Scarborough and Malton town centres, and to fund costs associated with the advancement of redevelopment proposals for vacated sites. Release of this investment will be dependent on further detailed development and refinement of the proposals outlined within this report.

iii)             The decision on the release of the in-principle investment be delegated to the Corporate Director of Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director Resources which sought approval for the acquisition of Resolution House, Scarborough, as part of wider plans to rationalise and optimise the Council’s property portfolio.

The Executive Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Gareth Dadd introduced the report emphasising that estate rationalisation had been a long‑standing priority and that Resolution House represented a rare, time‑sensitive opportunity at a cost substantially lower than recent public speculation. He explained that while commercial confidentiality limited disclosure, the business case was robust and avoided the far higher refurbishment costs of the existing buildings of Scarborough Town Hall and Ryedale House which were neither feasible nor justifiable. He emphasised the regeneration benefits and the need to act swiftly.

Five public questions were then presented to the Executive as follows:

Councillor Thomas Murray

Since the future of Scarborough Town Hall is again being considered, I would like to ask a question.

The Executive report before you again confirms that Scarborough Town Hall is a Grade II listed building and an important heritage asset located within the conservation area, while also stating that the proposed acquisition of Resolution House and wider estate rationalisation may have implications for the future utilisation of the Town Hall site, including the possibility of it becoming vacant.

Despite the scale and significance of these proposals, Scarborough Town Council has not been meaningfully engaged in these discussions. In fact, we first learned of the proposals through social media and a press release, rather than through direct engagement.

This is particularly concerning given that Scarborough Town Council leases space within the Town Hall and uses the Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour for council meetings and civic functions, and represents around 28,000 residents.

Given that thirteen years ago the previous council undertook extensive consultation because decisions about the Town Hall were recognised as having major democratic, heritage and economic implications, and that the proposals at the time were ultimately shelved following that consultation, and given that town and parish councils were promised a collaborative relationship under the new unitary arrangements,

What concrete changes will North Yorkshire Council now put in place to ensure it can properly communicate and work collaboratively with its town and parish councils across the county? Simply saying there are around 400 councils and that meaningful engagement is therefore difficult is not good enough.

Councillor Sarah Mason

North Yorkshire Council has recently announced its intention to purchase a building on the outskirts of Scarborough for £4.5 million. Once realistic additional costs are included, such as relocation, legal fees, IT infrastructure, accessibility works, and full internal fit out, the total cost of this move is likely to rise to approximately £6.5–7.5 million based on standard public sector capital benchmarks.

Alongside this, NYC has provisionally allocated £750,000 to relocate the Customer First desk away from its current location next to Scarborough’s historic Grade II listed Town Hall,  the civic heart of the town and a building the Charter Trustees were specifically established to protect following the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 863.

Recommendation

That Executive adopts the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy as detailed in Appendix A, taking account of updates prompted by Best Practice Guidance along with the recommendation put forward by the General Licensing and Registration Committee that all new and replacement hackney carriage vehicles be wheelchair accessible, zero emission or hybrid electric vehicles, with existing licensed hackney carriage vehicles retaining ‘grandfather rights’ until they are no longer fit for purpose.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director Environment which sought approval from the Executive to adopt a revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Introducing the report, the Executive Member for Managing our Environment noted the challenge of balancing safety, climate obligations, accessibility needs, and financial pressures on the trade in formulating the revised policy which represented a compromise between different positions.

Six public questions and statements were then presented to the Executive as follows:

Lisa Ridsdale

Imagine a small village in North Yorkshire at 10 p.m. A local resident, elderly or disabled, needs to get to a hospital appointment, a care visit, or simply home safely. They phone for a taxi—and there isn’t one available because the driver couldn’t afford the new vehicle the council now requires. That’s the reality this policy could create.

While the goals of accessibility and reducing emissions are admirable, this policy is out of touch with rural reality. Requiring all new or replacement taxis to be either wheelchair accessible, electric, or hybrid might work in a city—but in North Yorkshire, it is impractical and potentially devastating. Many villages and small towns lack reliable electric charging infrastructure, and drivers regularly cover long distances between communities. Expecting them to run electric vehicles without sufficient charging points is unsafe and unrealistic.

Then there’s cost. Wheelchair-accessible, hybrid, or electric vehicles can cost tens of thousands more than standard cars. Most rural taxi drivers are self-employed, running small businesses with tight margins. For many, this requirement would be financially impossible, forcing experienced drivers out of the trade. The consequence? Fewer taxis, longer waits, and reduced service—directly harming the very people the policy is intended to help.

Accessibility isn’t one-size-fits-all. Not all disabled passengers can travel in wheelchairs or use ramped vehicles. Some require assisted seating or find standard cars easier to enter and exit. Forcing all new taxis into one of these categories actually reduces flexibility and choice, undermining the policy’s stated goal of improving access.

Rural operational realities also matter. Long distances, unpredictable demand, and limited charging options make electric vehicles impractical for many drivers. Mandating this combination of vehicle types without supporting infrastructure or financial assistance risks a significant reduction in service, leaving rural communities stranded.

A better approach is flexible and locally tailored. A mixed fleet, combined with incentives or phased adoption, can improve accessibility and environmental outcomes without destroying the rural taxi trade. Councils elsewhere have achieved these goals successfully without imposing prohibitive costs.

When I visited the Netherlands and Norway last year, I saw that many taxi ranks had subsidised electrical charging points specifically installed for taxis to encourage drivers to move towards these vehicles. Would this be something North Yorkshire Council would be willing to consider if it genuinely wishes to encourage drivers? And similarly, in many European countries, licensed taxi vehicles receive subsidies from the government to help operators maintain standards and modernise fleets. This helps bring the taxi sector more in line with other transport sectors such as buses, rail,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 864.

Recommendation

That Executive adopts the Inclusive Service Plan as detailed in Appendix A, taking account of the recommendation put forward by the General Licensing and Registration Committee that all new and replacement hackney carriage vehicles be wheelchair accessible, zero emission or hybrid electric vehicles, with existing licensed hackney carriage vehicles retaining ‘grandfather rights’ until they are no longer fit for purpose.

Considered a report by the Corporate Director Environment which sought approval from the Executive to adopt a new Inclusive Service Plan in relation to hackney carriage and private hire licensing.

Resolved (unanimously) that Executive adopts the Inclusive Service Plan as detailed in Appendix A, taking account of the recommendation put forward by the General Licensing and Registration Committee that all new and replacement hackney carriage vehicles be wheelchair accessible, zero emission or hybrid electric vehicles, with existing licensed hackney carriage vehicles retaining ‘grandfather rights’ until they are no longer fit for purpose.

Reasons

The Council has committed to developing and maintaining an Inclusive Service Plan and must have regard to the Department for Transport’s Best Practice Guidance. A review of the effectiveness of the new policy will commence 12 months from full implementation to decide whether any further adjustments are needed. The recommendation seeks to increase the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles whilst balancing its impact on the trade.

Recommendations

       i.         The Executive adopt the proposed Pavement Licensing Policy as shown in Appendix A.

     ii.         If adopted, to authorise the approval of minor and inconsequential amendments to the policy from time-to-time by a senior officer to reflect legislative changes or correct any inaccuracies.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director Environment which sought adoption of the proposed Pavement Licensing Policy following consultation. Introducing the report, the Executive Member for Managing our Environment, Councillor Richard Foster explained that the policy established a consistent county-wide framework for pavement licensing following changes in government legislation.

Resolved (unanimously) that the Executive:

       i.         adopt the proposed Pavement Licensing Policy as shown in Appendix A of the report

     ii.         authorise the approval of minor and inconsequential amendments to the policy from time-to-time by the Corporate Director Environment in consultation with the Executive Member for Managing our Environment to reflect legislative changes or correct any inaccuracies.

Reasons

The adoption of a Pavement Licensing Policy enables the Council to effectively regulate the placement and use of removable furniture on the public highway. The policy is intended to ensure that such furniture is utilised in a manner that is safe, convenient, and does not give rise to public nuisance. It further seeks to preserve unobstructed access to the highway for all users, while facilitating the creation of vibrant public spaces and supporting businesses in operating in a way that is both responsible and acceptable to the wider community.

A six-week public consultation was held to provide members of the public and relevant stakeholders with a meaningful opportunity to review and contribute to the development of the draft policy. This process is intended to ensure transparency, encourage community engagement, and support the formulation of a policy that reflects a broad range of perspectives.

Recommendations

That the Executive:

       i.         Note the report and the new HSRA powers that the Council can utilise.

     ii.         Grant consent to begin community engagement relating to the designation of a High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) area in Scarborough.

    iii.         Delegate powers to designate the final HSRA area and delegate powers to implement individual rental auctions to the Corporate Director for Community Development; and that

    iv.         Continual evaluation to be undertaken during the Scarborough pilot to assess the outcomes, impacts and resource implications. Authorisation to extend application of the powers to be delegated to the Corporate Director for Community Development in consultation with the Executive Member for Open to Business.

Considered a report by the Corporate Director Community Development in respect of a proposed new High Street Rental Auction Pilot in Scarborough which aimed to work proactively with property owners to bring empty units back into commercial use and stimulate footfall in the area.

Introducing the report, the Executive Member for Open to Business, Councillor Mark Crane explained that Scarborough had been selected due to the significant number of long-term empty properties. Using this new legislation, the Council’s intention was to engage with landlords to encourage re-occupation, using a ‘carrot and stick’ approach. The new power for local authorities required landlords to rent out persistently vacant commercial properties to new tenants such as local businesses or community groups through an auction following a preliminary ten week notice period; however, early adopter councils had demonstrated that dialogue with councils was enough to effect change without recourse to further action.

Local division member, Councillor Liz Colling addressed the meeting asking to what extent the scheme depended on Pride in Place funding, as decisions on that funding were expected on 27 March and also whether the Council would fund improvements to premises to make them lettable and, if so, how such expenditure would be recovered.

In response, Councillor Colling was advised that while Pride in Place funding would be beneficial, alternative Council funding could be explored if necessary. Any investment in private property would be secured through a lien so that funds could be recouped upon sale. Further clarification was provided that the Council was seeking new burdens funding for operational elements of the scheme, while Pride in Place funding would act as the incentive for landlords.

Members of the Executive then commented on the report. Concerns were raised about the poor condition of some buildings and longstanding issues with particular landlords holding onto assets. Members urged caution about taking on liabilities and expressed preferences for encouraging a diverse range of tenants rather than an over-concentration of vape shops, charity shops, and betting outlets. It was noted that the intention was for agreements to remain between landlords and tenants, with the Council facilitating the process rather than taking ownership. Members also questioned the absence of involvement from the regional Mayor, who held responsibilities for economic development across York and North Yorkshire.

Resolved that the Executive

       i.         Note the report and the new HSRA powers that the Council can utilise.

     ii.         Grant consent to begin community engagement relating to the designation of a High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) area in Scarborough.

    iii.         Delegate powers to designate the final HSRA area and to delegate powers to implement individual rental auctions to the Corporate Director Community Development

    iv.         Approve that continual evaluation to be undertaken during the Scarborough pilot to assess the outcomes, impacts and resource implications. Authorisation to extend application of the powers to be delegated to the Corporate Director for Community Development in consultation with the Executive Member for Open to Business.

Reasons

To address a long-standing regeneration issue in an area with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 867.

Recommendations

It is recommended that Executive:

i.            Approve option 2 to decommission the cliff lift and agree a capital budget of £199k to be met from the Strategic Capacity Reserve and

ii.           discontinue the free replacement bus service.

Considered a report by the Corporate Director Environment in respect of the future of Whitby Cliff Lift. Introducing the report, the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, Councillor Malcom Taylor recognised the strong public feeling about the Whitby Cliff Lift. He noted that the lift had been closed by Scarborough Borough Council in April 2022 and highlighted that the debate included both the condition of the lift and the cost-effectiveness of the seasonal bus service. Usage figures for 2025 showed a significant decline, resulting in a cost of £41.63 per one‑way journey, which he considered unsustainable.

Two public questions were then presented to the Executive as follows:

Councillor Sandra Turner

Councillor Turner acknowledged the financial constraints but stressed the importance of the lift. She highlighted its role in servicing over 160 beach huts, including 10 luxury huts, and providing essential disability access. She reported a recent incident where a person using a mobility scooter suffered an accident on the zig‑zag path, requiring coastguard and ambulance assistance. She emphasised Whitby’s status as one of the UK's top seaside destinations, drawing millions of visitors annually, and expressed concern that removal of assets would diminish its appeal. She therefore asked on behalf of a resident that no decision be taken until up‑to‑date costed quotes are provided at a public meeting.

Peter Graham (read out by Councillor Phil Trumper)

Firstly I would like to thank the Scarborough and Whitby Councillors in particular Councillors Trumper and Swannick for their unanimous support for re opening the above, creating a business plan and asking for the lift to be maintained annually going forward which is something that SBC neglected previously.

I also thank the experts from Woodsmith Mine for their two inspections and for proving the £5m worse case scenario price obtained by SBC is irrelevant at best or simply a tool to get the lift closed.

Further to the meeting at Whitby on Monday 2nd March I fully understand the way NYC apply for Blue Flag Beach status.

In applying I can only presume an able-bodied person sat at a desk fills in the application without consultation with Whitby Disabled Action Group or Whish.  Both are perplexed to having never been consulted on the accessibility of the beach.

The facilities that are provided to back up the Yes answer are all based halfway along the beach near the lift but nowhere near either slipway. See answers below supplied by Chris Bourne for the two questions and answers submitted on the application.

NYC are earning a lot of money from Whitby which has increased recently with the second homes council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 868.

Recommendation

The Executive agrees the adoption of the Maltkiln masterplan framework (as set out in Appendix A) as required by Policy NS3 of the adopted Maltkiln Development Plan Document.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director Community Development which sought Executive approval to adopt the masterplan framework (Appendix A) for the new settlement (Maltkiln) as required by Policy NS3 of the adopted Maltkiln Development Plan Document.

Introducing the report, the Executive Member for Open to Business, Councillor Mark Crane explained that the masterplan provided the strategic direction required by the adopted Development Plan Document and that significant further work would follow. Members noted that the project had a long history and acknowledged the most recent correspondence which had been received from parish councillors and from NYC members in connection with this latest report.

Resolved (unanimously) that the Executive agrees the adoption of the Maltkiln masterplan framework (as set out in Appendix A) as required by Policy NS3 of the adopted Maltkiln Development Plan Document.

Reasons

The masterplan framework is recommended for approval as it provides a comprehensive and deliverable framework for creating a sustainable, well-connected new settlement that aligns with the council’s strategic priorities.

The draft masterplan framework sets out a balanced approach to housing, employment, transport, and green infrastructure, ensuring that growth is supported by the necessary infrastructure, phasing and community facilities. It demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable design, active travel, biodiversity enhancement, and high quality placemaking, helping to create a resilient community where residents can live, work, and thrive.

Agreement of the masterplan framework will provide clarity for future planning decisions, support coordinated delivery and maximise the long term benefits of the development for future residents.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to: 

1. Approve the revised Business Plan for Studio 2.
2. Approve the overall funding of £9.4m required for the redevelopment of Studio 2, to be funded from the Strategic Capacity Unallocated Reserve.

Subject to the approval of the above recommendations, it is further recommended that:- 

A construction contract be awarded for the Studio 2 redevelopment as detailed in Appendix A.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director Resources in respect of proposed refurbishment works to Studio 2, Harrogate Convention Centre. Introducing the report, the Executive Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Gareth Dadd noted that inflation had increased costs but that the business case remained sound with only a modest change to the payback period. In the ensuing discussion reference was also made to site visits illustrating the potential benefits of redevelopment.

Resolved (unanimously) that the Executive

1. Approve the revised Business Plan for Studio 2.
2. Approve the overall funding of £9.4m required for the redevelopment of Studio 2, to be funded from the Strategic Capacity Unallocated Reserve.
3. Award a construction contract for the Studio 2 redevelopment as detailed in Appendix A of the report.

Reasons

Investing in Studio 2 will attract larger conferences that require more breakout spaces. Estimated at an overall project value of £9.4m this investment is expected to be repaid through increased income. The Executive is requested to approve the additional expenditure of £2.4m for Studio 2, subject to the Corporate Director Resources being satisfied with the business case for investment and consulting with the relevant Members.

This investment will help rebuild confidence in the venue, paving the way for future investments and funding.  Developing Studio 2 will enhance HCC’s economic impact by creating jobs and improving its viability as a financially sustainable venue.

Considered the Forward Plan for the period 6 March 2026 to 31 March 2027.

Resolved that the Forward Plan be noted.

There were no urgent items, however the Chair advised that an additional meeting of the Executive would be required to consider an additional delegation proposed by the Combined Authority in respect of bus services.