Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chair of the Committee, to serve until the first meeting of the Committee following the Annual General Meeting in 2026.

Edward Maxwell (Senior Democratic Services Officer) opened the meeting and sought nominations for the Chair.

Resolved:

That Councillor Peter Lacey be appointed to the Chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Committee for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

To elect a Vice-Chair of the Committee, to serve until the first meeting of the Committee following the Annual General Meeting in 2026.

Nominations were sought for the Vice-Chair.

Resolved:

That Councillor Hannah Gostlow be appointed Vice-Chair for the 2025/26 Municipal Year

Apologies from Councillor John Mann were noted.

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 20 March 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.

Councillors Monika Slater and Andrew Timothy declared non-pecuniary interests in relation to Minute 119, as employees of the office of Tom Gordon MP.  Both confirmed that legal advice had been sought and confirmed their eligibility to participate in the item, since it constituted information sharing and no decisions were being taken.

Councillors Hannah Gostlow and Matt Walker declared non-pecuniary interests, as members of Knaresborough Town Council.

Councillor Peter Lacey declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Minute 122, as the Director of the Knaresborough Community Land Trust.

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 2 June. 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.

The following statement was submitted to the Committee, and read out by Christopher Dunn:

Lucjan Stefan Wilk, 91 a Killinghalll resident  died 7th November 2023 as a result of a 'fatal' road accident on 6th November 2023  80m South of Killinghall border ,A61 north bound carriageway, adjacent a bus stop and Knox Mill Lane, also 'Ringway' path.

The location of the accident was in the New Park division of NYC and now also New Park ward of Harrogate town council.

The inquest 24 03 2025 found no fault with any party.

Killinghall council, and NYC local division councillors Slater and Harrison were not consulted nor were the Harrogate local Policing unit, nor any road/PROW user groups!

Seven new road lights, two massive road signs, a bus stop extinguished and a new bus stop were created. NYC  contractors within metres of and within 'eyeshot'and 'earshot' of the bereaved , moved the so called 'offending' bus stop on the day of the inquest 24 03 25!

One new road light even now illuminates the bus stop which is no longer there!"

"Why does it take the sacrifice/death on an innocent pedestrian pensioner in order for NYC to 'magic up' many £thousands of questionable civil works whereas this 'lethal' road junction is still as unsafe as it always has been"

The following response was read out from Allan McVeigh (Head of Network Strategy):

All fatal road traffic collisions that occur on the local road network in North Yorkshire are the subject of a fatal collision inspection (FCI), the purpose of which is to understand the collision causation and identify whether improvements to the road or surrounding infrastructure can be made.  This is either to reduce the risk of a future similar collision occurring (i.e. to address what is referred to as ‘a contributory factor’), or to correct any minor defects observed during the inspection, but which were otherwise unconnected to the collision being investigated (non-contributory factors). 

Following the untimely death of Mr Wilk, an FCI was carried out on Monday 13 November 2023, in conjunction with North Yorkshire Police.  The Police are involved directly in all fatal collision investigations that are carried out by North Yorkshire Council.  An FCI report was published in April 2024, which made four recommendations:

1.            Relocate the northbound bus stop with road markings, signage, footway link and an informal crossing facility (contributory)

2.            Carry out a consultation exercise on the removal of the southbound bus stop facility (contributory)

3.            Investigate the feasibility of introducing street lighting in the vicinity of Knox Mill Lane junction and the new northbound bus stop. If feasible and financially viable, implement street lighting columns as soon as possible (contributory)

4.            Introduce improved permanent signage (larger warning sign or map type advance direction sign) to highlight the Knox Mill Lane junction (non-contributory)

Officers carried out the feasibility, design and consultation on these proposals from April 2024 onwards. Engagement took place with: 

1.            The family of Mr Wilk and residents of Knox Mill Lane –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive an update and hold a discussion with Tom Gordon MP.

Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, delivered a report covering his activities since his election in July 2024. 

The work undertaken during a busy first year was acknowledged, marked by governmental and policy changes.  The presentation focused on the three main themes of the election campaign: local health services, the cost of living, and the environment, particularly the issue of sewage in rivers.  Regarding health, efforts to secure funding for RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) repairs at Harrogate Hospital were discussed, along with concerns about the future of NHS England, and meetings with dental providers.  Economically, the impact of budget changes on local businesses and farmers was addressed, including concerns about employer NICs (National Insurance Contributions), business rates, Agricultural Property Relief, and Business Property Relief.  On environmental issues, meetings with the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water were detailed, emphasising the need for water companies to reinvest profits into infrastructure and addressing concerns about nationalisation.  

Additional campaigns were outlined, including extending disabled bus passes, changes to home to school transport policy, funding for Harrogate College, and improvements to school estates.  Furthermore, the MP touched upon winter fuel payments, WASPI women, the infected blood scandal, adult social care, diabetes, the Harrogate Spring Water campaign, the Harrogate Town Taskforce, and efforts to support Knaresborough Town AFC through the Football Foundation.

Resolved:

That the report be noted, and Tom Gordon MP be thanked for attending.

To provide Members with an annual update on the work of the Community Safety & CCTV service in the Harrogate & Knaresborough areas.

Sgt Steve Dougal (North Yorkshire Police), Evie Griffiths (Senior Community Safety Officer), Insp Holly Nicholls (North Yorkshire Police), and Julia Stack (Community Safety and CCTV Manager) presented an annual update on the work of the Community Safety & CCTV service in the Harrogate & Knaresborough areas.  The presentation will include a focus on Community Safety Hubs, CCTV and the wider strategic Community Safety Partnership.

Key local issues were highlighted, with a focus on anti-social behaviour.  The team's commitment to early intervention and understanding local community dynamics was highlighted, along with a proactive use of available tools and powers was noted, such as a recent closure order in the Jennyfields estate.  The Street Aid project, community engagement efforts, Project Spotlight in Harrogate town centre, and the knife bin initiative were also discussed. A key focus of the report was domestic abuse as well as the extremism agenda.

Representatives from North Yorkshire Police updated the committee on the Neighbourhood Policing guarantee framework, the commitment for officers to patrol on foot in communities, and the efforts being made to promote communication and dialogue.  It was highlighted that there were ongoing issues with antisocial behaviour which were being managed with partner agencies such as the Community Safety hub.  A number of projects were ongoing to focus on child exploitation, burglary and retail crime.

Members sought further information on issues relevant to their local areas, including the siting of camper vans on Stray Rain, possible engagement with Harrogate Town Council to support community initiatives, and the use of false shop fronts as covers for fraudulent and criminal activity.  In response to a question regarding a specific resident query, it was highlighted that safeguarding issues could be reported through 101.  NYP welcomed the opportunity for dialogue and undertook to engage with members outside of the meeting to progress these discussions and answer specific queries.

Resolved:

That the report be noted, and the attendees thanked for their presentation.

To provide Members with an update on projects and programmes delivered by the Localities service, and an overview of progress made in the Harrogate and Knaresborough Constituency area in 2024/25.

Suzy Sweeting (Communities Locality Lead) provided an update on the Localities Service, highlighting progress made across Harrogate and Knaresborough during 2024/25.  The Communities Team had delivered a range of initiatives focused on prevention, health inequality reduction, financial inclusion, digital access, and social regeneration.  Notable achievements included the award of £139,309 through the Inspire Fund to 146 community projects, the continuation of the FEAST programme supporting children during school holidays, and the establishment of 287 digital champions through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.  Community resilience was strengthened through responses to flooding in Knaresborough and Kirkbymoorside, and the development of Community Anchor Organisations and Partnerships.  The Parish Liaison and Local Devolution Team had facilitated improved engagement with over a hundred Parish Councils, supported the review of the Parish Charter, and progressed double devolution proposals, including asset transfers and service delivery by local councils.

The Migrant Programmes Team had integrated refugee and asylum support services, launched the Swift initiative with Lottery funding, and supported the resettlement of Afghan and Ukrainian families.  Translation and interpretation services had been expanded, with a pilot AI tool introduced to improve efficiency.  In the Harrogate and Knaresborough area, two Community Anchor Organisations had been established, and early discussions on Community Partnerships had commenced.  The Starbeck Community Fund had distributed over £9,000 to local causes, and collaboration with health partners had continued through Local Care Partnerships and mental health service transformation.  

Resolved:

That the report be noted, and the team thanked for their report.

To receive a verbal update from the Executive Member for Culture, Arts, and Housing.

Councillor Simon Myers (Executive Member for Culture, Arts, and Housing) provided an update regarding a forthcoming Executive Member decision regarding five sites, which were previously approved for development by the former Harrogate Borough Council.  The sites were former garages or small parcels of open space on existing HRA land, and had planning permission from HBC.  The total development costs for these sites following tender were significantly over budget, and did not represent good value for money.  The possible options and cost implications for each site were discussed, and recommendations shared with the committee for discussion and feedback.

Members discussed the need to avoid disposing of sites quickly to avoid short-term losses, where they could later be developed by a private developer.  The size of the estimates were questioned, and it was agreed that these would be confirmed before a final decision was taken.  It was also agreed to engage with Community Land Trusts to see whether additional funding could be sought to make the schemes viable.

Members thanked the Executive Member for proactively consulting with the Area Committee and seeking local knowledge and feedback in advance of the decision being taken.

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:  That the Work Programme be approved.

To receive a report outlining the work of the Area Committee over the past civic year.

Edward Maxwell (Senior Democratic Services Officer) presented the committee’s annual report for 2024/25, outlining the work undertaken and key achievements over the past year.

The Chair invited the outgoing Chair, Councillor Slater, to comment.  The work of the area committee was commended, in particular the work contributed to the implementation of 20mph zones, the spending of seed funding for economic development.  Councillor Slater thanked members for their support and contributions over the past year, and officers for attending and providing reports to the committee.

Resolved:  That the report be noted, and Councillor Slater be thanked for her efforts as Chair over the past municipal year.

Thursday 25 September 2025, at 10:00, at the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, St

Luke’s Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 2AE.

The next ordinary meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday 25 September at 10:00am.