Agenda item

An update on the work of the Mayoral Combined Authority and progress with local

issues.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and James Farrar, CEO of the Combined Authority outlined the structure, purpose and initial work of the Combined Authority by way of introduction. Issues highlighted included:

·         The powers and work of the Combined Authority.

·         The impact of further nationwide devolution

·         Economic growth

·         Police, Fire and Crime

·         Vision and investments

·         Meetings with Prime Minister, leading Government Ministers and Mayors of other Combined Authorities.

·         Various initiatives being pursued:

-        Homes England

-        Farming and agriculture

-        Impacts of flooding

-        Fire and rescue

-        Skilled workforce

-        Transport Strategy

-        Rural strategies – transport, housing, economic development

-        Energy and Net Zero.

A number of questions from the Committee were submitted to the Mayor’s Office in advance of the meeting as follows:

·       Can the Mayor talk through the process for identifying opportunities for economic and environmental improvements, having a supply of potential projects in the pipeline, and bid writing, when funding becomes available from central government?

·       What funding is available for businesses in the Richmond area and what is the Mayor looking for in proposals? Similarly, what projects does the Mayor think have the highest chance of coming to fruition in the Richmond? i.e. How do we link into what the Mayor wants? How does he deliver things for us here?

·       Housing - the availability and affordability of housing, particularly in rural areas, is important for economic development – how can this be managed appropriately to ensure local communities remain viable and maintain a local presence?

·       How are Important Network Roads designated, how do they work and how do they fit into the development strategy – Will they improve infrastructure and the movement of traffic?

·       Green transport systems (cycleways, etc.) – Has the possibility of joining other neighbouring authority areas, in funding such schemes, been explored, to assist with prioritisation?

·       Tourism in Hawes and the wider Yorkshire Dales – Is consideration being given to a holistic approach to developing tourism throughout the Dales, and Hawes in particular, with the possibility of Town Plans being developed to assist with that process?

·       Will the development of Food Partnerships be utilised to deliver food priorities in the area?

·       How will the Mayor assist with the development of integrated transport and access to public transport and will it lead to improvements in rural areas?

·       Is there a strategy for the battery storage facilities required for renewable energy sources? A number of planning applications are coming forward in respect of these and a co-ordinated approach would be of benefit to avoid proliferation in particular areas.

·       Is there a plan to provide access to Telehealth and how will that be developed?

·       Flooding – There are major flooding concerns throughout the Richmond area, for example the impact of flooding at Morton Flatts. How will the Mayor approach these issues and work together with the Environment Agency to create a permanent, sustainable solutions?

The Mayor highlighted the following in response to the issues raised:

·        The member authorities would have opportunities to explore funding opportunities available to the Combined Authority and continued liaison between officers and Members would assist in moving that forward. Different opportunities would arise from the various funding streams.

·        It was suggested that Area Committees could be utilised projects of local interest and a mechanism for developing projects identified in this manner would need to be established.

·        Housing was recognised as being a particular challenge and the partnership with Homes England would assist with that.

·        Important Network Roads designation related to roads of key importance to the region that could make use of forthcoming funding. The Combined Authority were determined to improve travel throughout the region including the road network, public transport and Active-Travel/cycleways. The intention was to be bold and adventurous  with the development of the transport network with the involvement of neighbouring Combined Authorities to the forefront of this.

·        A local visitor plan for York and North Yorkshire through the ELBEC. Work on this would also involve the National Parks with a view to developing a sustainable strategy that took account of the special nature of the area. In terms of Hawes it was noted that the Combined Authority had been involved in the development of the Market Hall and would be assisting in other development projects, going forward.

·        The development of food partnerships was a key priority with work being undertaken by York University in relation to local access to food sources for use in the local area. This initiative was set to develop further.

·        The strategic transport plan would consider better transport links for rural areas. This would be a major challenge for the Combined Authority who would need to work closely with Central Government to develop an appropriate rural transport system.

·        The former LEF had been developing Local Area Energy Plans which would continue and would take account of the need for battery storage and a strategy for that, however, this issue would also be dealt with directly by York and North Yorkshire Councils through the planning process.

·        The Combined Authority provided a unique opportunity to move telehealth forward through the Integrated Health Board. Access to connectivity was still a major challenge in some areas and this had to addressed for an effective service to be provided.

·        Flooding is recognised as a major concern throughout the Richmond Constituency area and has a huge impact on local communities. The Combined Authority will look to work closely with various partners, including the Environment Agency, to address flooding issues and create flooding prevention schemes.

Members discussed the issues raised highlighting the following:

·        It was asked whether the plans for the major towns in the Constituency being developed by the Combined Authority would be available for local Members to have an input. It was stated that there would be engagement with local stakeholders though North Yorkshire Council to ensure the plans were locally led.

·        The importance of the key roads network development for areas such as Catterick Garrison, which was experiencing huge growth, was emphasised. In response it was noted that the strategic transport team within the Combined Authority was working closely with the MoD in terms of development in that area and its impact. There was also co-ordinated work taking place in terms of other issues affecting Catterick Garrison such as re-skilling and the approach to mental health services, with close work taking place again with the MoD. A Member emphasised the need for support to be provided to former service personnel as, often, when they left the military there was little support provided by the MoD, which created difficulties and a better understanding from all involved was required. It was stated that consideration would be given to the overall picture in relation to these matters.

·        It was stated that the Committee currently had a project being developed through the £50k seed funding initiative in respect of an integrated transport feasibility study for access to education, skills and employment and it was asked whether the Combined Authority were aware of this. In response it was stated that they had been made aware of the project and were determining how this could relate to the overall strategy and how they could be involved.

·        Reference was made to the depletion of the number of trains that were now stopping at Northallerton and the need for this to be addressed as it was having a detrimental impact on the whole area. It was considered important that consideration was given to expanding these services. The Member also referred to work undertaken by Northallerton Town Council on an active transport scheme and the need for the Combined Authority to link into that. Finally he referred to the lack of connectivity between the area to medical services, particularly to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. This was echoed in terms of connections from Stokesley to James Cook and the need for the matter to be addressed though the transport strategy. In response to the issues raised it was stated that close working with Transport for the North was being undertaken to consider the use of Northallerton train station. Northallerton Town Council can link into the work being undertaken by the Combined Authority. In terms of the connections to James Cook Hospital a great deal of cross-border work was being undertaken to look at the creation of more efficient and effective connectivity, not only to medical provision, but also throughout the transport network. It was emphasised that this development would be complex and would not be instant as any easy solutions would have been provided should they have already been available.

·        A Member highlighted projects that were taking place in his Division in relation to food partnerships aligned with work being undertaken with the NFU in respect of food production and usage on a local basis. It was hoped that the embryonic projects could be developed through the assistance of the Combined Authority and then rolled out nationally.

The Mayor and Chief Executive of the Combined Authority were thanked for their attendance at the Area Committee and for the details and updates provided.

Resolved

That the report and issues raised be noted.