Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Heather Phillips.

Resolved 

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 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.

Councillors Neil Swannick and Roberta Swiers each declared an interest in Minute item 125 and the public questions concerning Scarborough West Pier since they were members of the Strategic Planning Committee which would be considering this matter again in due course.

Councillor Phil Trumper declared an interest in Minute item 128 Schools update since he was a governor of Whitby School.

The Chair provided the following updates:

Whitby Harbour accounts

The Corporate Director Environment, Karl Battersby had advised that the council was disappointed by the court’s decision in respect of the council’s use of revenue from harbour land which had taken many months to be handed down.  The council was reviewing the decision in detail and considering next steps. The decision would have no impact on the council’s goal to promote a thriving harbour in Whitby and invest in its future. The decision would not have an impact on the delivery of the Whitby Maritime Hub.

Use of Cinder Track by children to walk to Whitby School

The Chair reminded members that the committee previously had expressed safety concerns around children using the poorly lit Cinder Track to walk to Whitby School.  However, the school had just produced a Transport Plan handed to her at the meeting which had collected a significant amount of data in this respect.  She would arrange for the Transport Plan to be circulated to the committee, so members’ views could be gauged on whether any further action was required.

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – hospital travel and attendance data

The NHS Hospital Foundation Trust delivered a very helpful workshop for members of the committee examining data on local missed appointments by hospital, specialty, location and so on.  It became evident that the areas with the highest incidence of patients with missed appointments were in our most deprived divisions raising concerns that health conditions were not being treated.  Further work would be done with the Trust to try and understand this matter better.

Scarborough Cross-Council Task Force

A fuller update on the work of the Task Force and the impact of the Public Space Protection Order would be provided to the next committee meeting on 6 June.

Finally, the Chair encouraged people to volunteer for a Sprucing up Scarborough activity on 28 and 29 March in the town centre and to vote online for Steve Johnson, Operations Manager at Scarborough North Bay Railway and a finalist for Visit England's Tourism Superstar 2025 competition.

Considered a presentation by James Farrar, Chief Executive of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority on the devolution deal, the step change it presented in championing the needs of the region at a national level and in delivering investment through a collaborative approach with councils, businesses and other stakeholders, and how this collaborative approach would bring opportunities for the coast.  The Combined Authority was a rural trailblazer given its expanse, diversity and geography but the important thing was that by understanding these diverse needs, all communities should benefit, although not necessarily at the same time nor in the same way.  Mr Farrar shared details of the £540m Mayoral Investment Fund across the different areas of housing, skills, net zero, transport and business, the £30m invested to date including the boat hoist in Scarborough as a priority project, details of the £40m of new opportunities, adding that investment should be owned and driven locally with a plan for every town.  He demonstrated how through its links to central government the Combined Authority lobbied for local priorities at a national level, and how the Combined Authority showed strategic leadership in areas such as transport through commissioning a strategic review of transport and in housing by launching a Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England.  The CA had also finalised an Innovation Plan, commissioned a review into the future of farming, built the case for an AI Growth Zone and sent a Comprehensive Spending Review submission to Government in order to maximise future funding to the region.  A ten year Growth Plan would be finalised in the coming weeks which identified where the region had competitive advantage.  These were in five sectors of national significance including clean energy and the offshore wind sector.

Turning to the questions pre-submitted by the committee regarding how the local area would benefit from the Mayoral Investment Fund, future funding streams, Combined Authority support for the offshore wind sector, and the potential for improved rail connectivity between Scarborough and UK cities, Mr Farrar advised that:

·       The CA would be inviting funding proposals from NYC supported by local communities, citing the examples of village halls in the area which had recently benefitted from the community buildings fund.

·       Future funding opportunities included the £10m fund to get people back into work, bus service improvements, the new Local Growth Plan, bigger visitor events on the coast, but these opportunities depended on Scarborough and Whitby having a clear plan and vision which enjoyed widespread support.

·       Clean energy had been identified as a key priority for the region where the CA was looking to benefit from the Growth Settlement.  The local area needed to have identified investible propositions to attract this funding.

·       The CA continued to push for two trains per hour between Scarborough and York, and since York was the best connected city in the north of England, this would facilitate improved connections with other destinations.  The CA’s direct relationship with Great British Railways would assist in this effort.

Following this introduction, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

Ms Hume provided an overview to the committee of some of her areas of work, concerns and priorities.  She was pleased to be able to exercise her convening power for the benefit of her constituents, citing the recent meeting involving constituents at Portcullis House about longstanding problems with non-functioning smart meters, and public meetings held locally in respect of heather burning, consultation on the NHS Ten Year Plan, and changes to the council’s Home to School Travel policy.  Ms Hume was continuing to hold regular advice surgeries covering issues such as planning, poor housing and education, and had attended many businesses and schools including Boulby Mine and Scalby School.  She was Co-Chair of APPG on Coastal Communities and was using this position to lobby for a dedicated Minister of Coastal Communities given the particular challenges faced by the coast.  Ms Hume welcomed the £20m Government investment in Scarborough as part of the new Plan for Neighbourhoods, and looked forward to refreshing the Town Deal Board on which she sat.  She welcomed too the accelerator housing status awarded to Cayton South which presented its own challenges and opportunities.  Ms Hume estimated that she spent some 60% of her time in lobbying for investment in the constituency.  Other areas of work in which she was involved included inshore fisheries, disability rights and the safety and security of politicians.

Following this introduction, the issues raised by elected members included:

• Proposals to curb the spread of second homes through a new planning use class and a registration scheme for short term lets
• Centralisation of hospital services in York at the expense of the coast
• Importance of timely and accessible emergency care to acute stroke patients on the coast
• Need for a shuttle bus to be provided once the newly built Community Diagnostic Centre in Eastfield becomes operational
• Concerns at the proposed cuts in welfare benefits and how the effects of these cuts can be mitigated
• The potential benefits of a primary residence scheme in Whitby
• The use of rail to transport pupils to Whitby School

The Chair thanked Alison Hume MP for her attendance and her responses to members’ questions.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to St John Harris of Democratic Services and supplied the text (contact details below) by midday on Tuesday, 18 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 Chairman who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

There were six public questions and statements submitted to the committee.  Question 2 was considered at Minute 128 – Schools update report.  All members of the public were in attendance to put their questions except Matthew White.  Responses are also set out below.

Public questions and statements

1. Bob Roberts

Can the Chair give me the fullest assurance that sufficient space is to be created for the safe and efficient operation of a boat hoist on West Pier?

Reply

At this time, we cannot give that assurance.  The space required for the boat hoist was to be created by the demolition of two buildings which was included in the planning application for the West Pier Regeneration Project.

At its meeting on 30 January 2025 the Strategic Planning Committee resolved to defer the application pending receipt of further information.

In the absence of a planning approval required to create the space we cannot give any assurance that the space will be provided.

Supplementary question

Mr Roberts then sought assurance from the Portfolio Holder, Councillor Mark Crane that the funding would be secured to deliver the boat hoist to ensure the future sustainability of Scarborough Harbour.

The Chair reminded Mr Roberts of the different funding sources for the boat hoist including York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and of the council’s intent to deliver the scheme but would arrange for a more detailed response from the Portfolio Holder.

2. Bob McGovern, Whitby Community Network – Agenda item 10 – Schools Update report

The report does not fulfil its purpose “to inform Members of the local educational landscape, educational achievement and the financial challenges in the Scarborough and Whitby committee area” in sufficient detail. We would urge Members to reject the report as it stands and ask for a more detailed report, particularly in relation to the challenges faced in Whitby. 

The report provides little commentary or analysis of the issues and challenges schools in our area are facing and for Whitby in particular, it is totally silent on the immediate issues in the recently reorganised secondary school.

The report provides only aggregated data, raises significant issues about schools in key areas, but fails to provide data at the individual school level or indicate what support schools are receiving from the local authority (if they are maintained schools) to overcome the issues raised.

From the data we learn that:

• Across both Scarborough and Whitby, the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile is above the national average, but this isn’t maintained and at age 11 and 16 pupil attainment is well below the national and local average.

• Scarborough and Whitby pupils have the highest number of school suspensions and permanent exclusions in North Yorkshire

• There has been a 51% increase in the number of children recorded as Electively Home Educated in the last year

• SEN data does not give a clear view of the position in Whitby – from which all pupils who require a special school need to travel

Issues of concern in Whitby secondary education  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125.

Considered the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2023- 24: ‘Live, Age, Engage: healthy ageing in North Yorkshire’ and presentations by Dr Victoria Turner and Dr Gill Kelly, Consultants in Public Health on the DPH Annual Report and the Growing Up in North Yorkshire Survey 2024.  The first presentation centred on the public health priority of healthy ageing and its relevance to the county and the coast because of the higher than average and increasing number of older residents.  The ageing population brought challenges around greater health needs but also opportunities in terms of volunteering and spending power.  Analysis of the evidence in respect of older people helped public health to identify four key priorities to achieve healthy ageing: health and reducing inequalities; housing; employment and financial security; and making North Yorkshire an age-friendly place.  Overlaying these priorities was the key aim to embed a more strategic approach to healthy ageing in the county.  Ms Turner then listed some the issues which fell under these priorities such as: staying healthy in the workplace; encouraging uptake of pension credits (it was estimated that in the Scarborough and Whitby area over £5m of pension credits were unclaimed every year); the higher proportion of older people renting in Scarborough; accessing primary health care, preventing falls and dying well; and digital inclusion.  In respect of the Annual Report’s recommendations, Dr Turner highlighted the overarching one of all agencies and services to consider the projected increase in older people and what this means for their services and infrastructure.

Following the presentation, issues raised by members included:

• Concern that the social care sector was still struggling since the COVID pandemic and was somewhat overlooked by Integrated Care Boards
• The changing trend in the North Yorkshire data about male life expectancy being ahead of female life expectancy during 2017-19 and 2018- 20 (Dr Turner agreed to monitor if this trend continued in future data sets, particularly through pandemic years)
• The higher proportion of older people renting in Scarborough (Anecdotally, this was largely attributable to people who had always rented.  Dr Turner would provide a link to a national report which cited Scarborough as an example which may provide further detail)
• The concerning level of unclaimed pension credit in Scarborough and Whitby – could public health and other agencies such as DWP orchestrate a targeted campaign in the local area to raise awareness? (Dr Turner would take this suggestion back to her local authority Revenue and Benefits colleagues)

The second presentation delivered by Dr Gill Kelly examined the results of the Growing Up in North Yorkshire survey 2024 with reference to Scarborough and Whitby and the wider county.

Dr Kelly advised that a huge amount of data was collected from young people for this biennial survey and overall trend analysis showed more positive than negative changes for the whole county since the last survey in 2022.  A series of priorities had been identified from the 2022 survey including healthy weight, healthy lifestyle, online safety and resilience and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

Considered a presentation by Paul Romans, Community Safety CCTV Manager, on the ongoing review of the seven former districts’ Community Safety Hubs to align practices across the county.  This was complex piece of work involving distinct North Yorkshire Police command structures and different CSH roles and practices, but a new structure and revised terms of reference for the CSHs had been developed for agreement with North Yorkshire Police.  The proposals reflected an intelligence led approach involving thematic and project work, more effective use of tools and powers to tackle antisocial behaviour, an early intervention model to help address youth criminal behaviour, and a monthly performance framework to drive accountability.

Following the presentation, issues raised by members included:

• How to measure the impact of the Public Space Protection Order in Scarborough.  The effect of the PSPO was largely deterrent and would be reviewed by the Scarborough Cross-Council Task Force, but thus far the feedback from local businesses was very good
• The reduction in nighttime levels of violence in Scarborough town centre
• Operation Tornado which promoted crime prevention in a range of areas including drug dealing, drug use, and domestic abuse.

Resolved that the presentation be received.

Considered a report by the Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service in respect of the local educational landscape, educational achievement and the financial challenges which affected schools in the Scarborough and Whitby area.

Bob McGovern asked a public question to which officers replied.  See details under Minute 125 above.

Introducing the report, Jon Holden, Strategic Planning Manager explained that the report was designed to provide a broad overview of educational issues affecting this area as at 31 August 2024, including school standards, suspensions and permanent exclusions, special educational needs and disabilities, school finance, and school place planning.

In response to their questions, members were advised that:

• A written reply would be provided giving further details of the 97% of Year 11 young people who were in either education, employment or training
• In respect of SEND provision, demand for Education and Healthcare Plans continued to be high.  The LEA continued to support local schools in the early assessment of children, through SEND hubs which helped ensure that curriculums in mainstream schools met the needs of SEND pupils, and in the continuing expansion of the Educational Psychologist Service.  In 2024-25 the LEA had taken part in a DfE funded programme to deliver better value in SEND provision including the implementation of an Inclusive Practice Framework pilot which had been well received and would be embedded in practice across mainstream schools going forward.  In respect of Targeted Mainstream Provision in the local area, the LEA continued to be in dialogue with schools which wished to pursue this route, although this remained a decision for each school governing body
• In respect of the need for additional schools Eastfield cited in the report, Mr Holden believed this would be a primary school, but would provide written confirmation
• In respect of the process behind the provision of new schools in areas of significant new housing developments, for example Cayton, a calculation is made based on the number of primary and secondary school pupils which the new development is expected to yield.  This informs the Section 106 agreement with the developer.  Considerable time may elapse before the trigger point is reached in rising pupil numbers to commence the development of the new school.  The LEA works on the presumption that the new development will be a free school, although it may turn out that the school is operated, say, by a multi-academy trust.  Regarding Cayton, Mr Holden was happy to provide further updates to the committee as the situation progressed.

Resolved that members note the report on educational factors in the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee area.

Considered a report of the Corporate Director of Community Development which provided an update on the Economic Development, Regeneration, Tourism and Transport projects endorsed by the committee together with a presentation delivered by Joe Russell, Principal Regeneration Officer.  Mr Russell divided the projects into three categories:

1. Complete or close to delivery stage – Coastal access at Cayton Bay and Active Travel Social Prescribing Pilot Project
2. Project development stage – Scarborough 400
3. Contributes to the evidence base for the Town Investment Plans – Sea bird nesting site, Safe sea swimming and Offshore economic opportunities study

Members then discussed the progress report and thanked officers for their work on these projects.  Mr Russell confirmed that the expected overall underspend of some £10,300 would be treated as a corporate saving.

Resolved that:

(i)             the report be received; and

(ii)            a final progress report be submitted to the next Area Committee meeting on 6 June 2025.

Considered the latest draft of the committee’s work programme for 2024-25.  The Chair confirmed the following topics for potential consideration by the committee (this may initially be at an informal monthly briefing):

·       In light of the public question about Hawkes Leisure, the provision of leisure services in Scarborough

·       Unclaimed benefits including Housing Benefit and Pension Credit

The Chair took soundings on the new longer format of the committee with a lunch break.  The majority view at the meeting was to continue with this format rather than programme additional committee meetings, but the Chair would welcomed further comments on this.  Reference was made to the technological limitations which prevented holding the area committee meeting in Whitby since the meeting could not be livestreamed nor remote attendance enabled.  The Chair confirmed that representations had been made on this matter following the committee’s resolution at its meeting on 29 November; however, if members wished to take this further, then they could contact the Executive Member for Corporate Services.

Resolved that the work programme be noted.

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

There was no urgent business.

6 June 2025