Minutes:
The Team Leader for Transport Planning explained that with the creation of the Combined Authority (CA) they became the local Transport Authority and with this the responsibility for the Local Transport Plan (LTP) transferred to them, for which they received contributions from North Yorkshire Council (NYC) and City of York Council (CYC).
In November 2025, the CA appointed the Steer Group, an experienced transport consultancy, to prepare the LTP. A consultation draft of the LTP was expected to be completed by the end of April 2026, after which a 12‑week public consultation period would commence. Targeted stakeholder engagement would also be undertaken, including engagement with the LAF. A meeting with the LAF would be arranged for February 2026 through the LAF Secretary.
Members were informed that several subsidiary documents, to include an Active Travel Strategy, would be produced. Work on these had not yet commenced, but the officer would notify the LAF once deadlines were confirmed. A briefing session with the Mayor and Executive Members from CYC and NYC was scheduled, during which they would review the outputs from the STEER Group to date. Work was progressing at pace, and the LAF had been identified as a key stakeholder.
The Chair asked whether the timing of the public consultation, with the next LAF meeting scheduled for May, would allow sufficient time for the LAF to establish a sub‑group to contribute to the consultation. The officer advised that the timeframe would be too tight and that it would be prudent to form a sub‑group sooner.
The Chair requested that the officer attend the May meeting to provide an update on the work underway. The officer confirmed her attendance but clarified that the planned stakeholder engagement at that stage would be to gather high‑level input rather than discuss the plan document itself, which would follow later, and therefore the LAF would need to have its sub‑group established in advance of this engagement.
Members queried whether a Health Impact Assessment formed part of the plan process, it was confirmed that such an assessment was included and that engagement with the Public Health teams across both local authorities had taken place.
In response to a question regarding whether the Steer Group had seen the LAF response to the Local Plan consultation, which included elements outlining where the LAF considered improvements to rights of way were needed, the officer advised that she was not sure, but confirmed that if she were sent a copy, she would make enquiries. The Secretary was asked to forward a copy of the Local Plan document to the officer.
It was highlighted that the Council had a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP), which contained a wide range of ideas to improve rights of way, and it was queried whether this would be taken into consideration. The Head of the Countryside Access Service (CAS) confirmed that it would, noting that the comments would be fed through to officers and that the ROWIP would play a part in both the Local Transport Plan and the Active Travel Strategy. The officer confirmed that a meeting had already taken place with the CA and the CAS team to discuss the ROWIP.
In relation to existing bus routes and bus stops, a query was raised as to whether it would be possible to display a plan of a circular walk at bus stops, or whether the number of bus stops could be increased to make it easier for people to access the countryside and enjoy it. The officer explained that bus‑related matters were outside her remit, but she would feed the query back to the Passenger Transport Team.
In response to a query regarding possible engagement with local landowners to provide car parking, Members noted that this did not fall within the LTP, matters related to access and impacts on the public highway lay with the Local Highways Authority (LHA). The LHA could not compel provision of private car parking; however, where there was a demonstrable highway impact, the LHA may, subject to appropriate processes, require suitable access arrangements.
It was noted that five pilot Community Partnerships were
operating across North Yorkshire. A
query was raised as to whether these partnerships were linked into the
consultation process, as they were regarded as an effective means of engaging
local communities, the officer stated that she would confirm that they were.
The Chair thanked Louise for attending the meeting.
Resolved
i) That, upon receipt of the information on the stakeholder engagement, the Secretary arrange a meeting with LAF Members and the relevant officers.
ii) That a sub-group be established to look at the draft LTP consultation document and prepare a response on behalf of the NYLAF.
iii) That the Secretary forward a copy of the NYLAF response to the Local Plan Consultation to the officer.
iv) That the secretary invite the Team Leader for Transport Planning to attend the next meeting of the LAF taking place on 27 May 2026.