Agenda item

Recommendations - That the Executive:

(a) agrees that North Yorkshire County Council submits a bid to the Levelling Up Fund for £39,246,511, with a local contribution of £3,924,651;

(b) agrees that the £424,651 shortfall in 10% match funding required be added to the £3.5m already highlighted in the Capital Forward Plan

(c) agrees that £495,000 should be allocated, at risk, to ensure the bid is developed in time to meet the funding deadline

(d) agrees to receive a further report, should NYCC be successful, prior to the acceptance of the funding

(e) Notes other

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director (Business and Environmental Services)

County Councillor Keane Duncan introduced the report, seeking Executive approval for submission of a bid to the Levelling Up Fund for a total of circa £39 milllion. The bid comprises proposals to improve access arrangements at Thirsk (£5.4 million), Scarborough (£8.4 million) and Seamer (£25 million) railway stations, with the three schemes going together as one package as part of a full business case that is required to be submitted. There is also a requirement for a contribution from the County Council of 10% of the proposed costs, totalling £3.9 million. Officers have worked against tight deadlines to develop a compelling proposal and the plans are supported by the local MPs.

The Corporate Director (Business and Environmental Services) commented that it had been decided not to submit a round 1 applications to the Levelling Up Fund, in order to develop quality proposals across a range of sites as part of round 2, rather than rush a smaller proposal as part of round 1. NYCC officers have worked closely with district and borough council colleagues to align with other Levelling Up Fund Constituency bids, particularly in relation to Malton and Scarborough. Altogether this represents an investment into the county of circa £70 million. It is felt that as a whole package it is compelling for the county and would have significant benefits.

County Councillor Derek Bastiman spoke in support of the NYCC transport bid for Scarborough station, as it would support the other bid developed by Scarborough Borough Council for the Scarborough and Whitby Constituency and benefit the local economy and improve connectivity. On the Seamer station proposal, he felt that it would increase investment and employment opportunities around the Scarborough Business Park and was long overdue.

County Councillor Gareth Dadd asked about Thirsk railway station and what would happen if the bid were to fail, given that there has been no adequate access for wheelchairs and prams in an area where the population has increased. In response, County Councillor Keane Duncan said that he believed it would be a travesty if the bid was to fail given the work that has gone into developing the proposals and that the Government needs to be investing in all areas, including the rural market towns in North Yorkshire and the travel hubs that allow access to these areas, if Levelling Up is to be deemed a success.

Resolved - that the Executive:

(a)   agrees that North Yorkshire County Council submits a bid to the Levelling Up Fund for £39,246,511, with a local contribution of £3,924,651;

(b)   agrees that the £424,651 shortfall in 10% match funding required be added to the £3.5m already highlighted in the Capital Forward Plan

(c)   agrees that £495,000 should be allocated, at risk, to ensure the bid is developed in time to meet the funding deadline

(d)   agrees to receive a further report, should NYCC be successful, prior to the acceptance of the funding

(e)   Notes other funding bids being made by District and Borough councils and other Local Authorities.