Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to Democratic Services (details below) and supplied the text by midday on 5 November 2025, three working days before the day of the meeting. Each speaker should limit themselves to three minutes on any item.
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exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded,
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Minutes:
There were three public questions or statements submitted to the committee. Questions 1 and 2 were considered at minute 180 – Discussion session with representatives from Arriva.
Ms Hardie and Ms Hodgson were unable to attend to read their questions, however the questions were considered during the discussion.
1.
From Anne Marie Hardie
I am writing to express my deep concern about the continued poor performance of the Arriva X26 bus service, which operates between Colburn and Richmond. This service is a vital link for residents, including students, workers, older people and those without access to private transport. Unfortunately, its reliability has deteriorated significantly, leaving many residents frustrated and isolated.
Buses frequently fail to turn up without notice and when they do, they are often late or overcrowded. The Arriva app is unreliable and fails to provide accurate real-time information, leaving passengers uncertain about whether a bus is coming at all. For many in Colburn, this has made travel for work, education, and essential appointments increasingly difficult.
I urge the Committee to take this matter up with Arriva and the relevant transport officers to explore urgent solutions, such as:
Reliable public transport is not a luxury — it is a necessity for communities like Colburn and the wider Richmondshire area. I hope the Committee will take this issue seriously and work with Arriva to deliver the improvements our residents urgently need.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and to hearing what action will be taken to ensure the X26 route provides the dependable service our community deserves.
2.
From Lorraine Hodgson
Having read the agenda regarding Arriva bus service I would like to add some comments from people who use the service.
My daughter had arranged for transportation to Darlington via the buses and this had to be changed due to the bus app informing her that they were running late. My nephew was unable to take an exam because the bus simply did not turn up. A person in my class was very late due to the service. While chatting about buses one lady said well you cannot rely on them for appointments because they do not turn up and she was paying for taxis.
I have witnessed them broken down and when this happens the people just walk.
Responses to these questions were considered at minute 180.
3.
From Chris Johnson
Stokesley volunteers, businesses and Stokesley Town Council are striving to make Stokesley a more vibrant town. The Town Council has recently received a grant of £50,040 from the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to promote the High Street, aiming to increase footfall all year round, specifically on the non-market days
Stokesley had four banks HSBC, Barclays, Santander and Nat West which are all now closed. There are 3 cash machines, but they are all inside - 2 in the Co-ops and one in Boyes. None are outside.
Stokesley has an ageing population and many need face-to-face help from their bank, including vital support for avoiding scams.
Yarm has just been giving the go ahead for a banking hub and Stokesley is no different. Having a banking hub will help the town to remain vibrant.
The major banking and building societies fund the banking hubs and they owe it to the Stokesley residents and businesses for their loyalty over many years to provide one.
(Question) Please will the committee support my request that the decision not to open a banking hub in Stokesley is reviewed?
Response from the Chair
LINK is the organisation responsible for assessing whether a banking hub is recommended to provide basic banking services to communities, especially in areas where individual bank branches have closed. They are designed to maintain access to essential banking services for people who may not be able to bank online or travel easily to other branches, such as:
An assessment for Stokesley was done in March 2025 and recommended that no new cash access services were required at that time.
The assessment found that the closest banks were located in Thornaby and Middlesbrough and did not mention any banks or building societies with a physical presence in Stokesley.
A community may request a review of the assessment only in these circumstances:
A request may be made by any individual, group or organisation.
The Chair has recently been contacted by Stokesley Town Council who also supported the introduction of a banking hub.
As Member Champion for Older People, I'm very concerned that people are being pointed to Thornaby or Middlesbrough. We all know from our feasibility study on transport that infrastructure is poor and it would be extremely difficult for them to get to these places.
Based on the facts that are available, on behalf of the committee I would encourage Mr Johnson, the Town Council or anyone else to request a review and ask Members of the Committee to support that way forward.
During discussion Members agreed that further work be undertaken to identify how the Committee may support those towns and villages who may request that a banking hub be provided.