This report seeks consideration of and recommends adoption of the revised Management Plan for the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) 2019-2024.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the Management Plan for the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Landscape Management and Priority Sites (2019-24) be adopted.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of and recommended adoption of the revised Management Plan for the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) 2019-2024.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

A new plan had to be adopted by the three constituent local planning authorities (Hambleton, Ryedale and North Yorkshire) and submitted to Defra by 1 April 2019.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that the Management Plan for the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Landscape Management and Priority Sites (2019-24) be adopted.

To confirm the decisions of the meeting held on 12 February 2019 (CA.51 - CA.61), previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the decisions of the meeting held on 12 February 2019 (CA.51 – CA.61), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

This report presents the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee on the Policy Review ‘Promoting Economic Vitality, including Markets’ for consideration.

The subject of the decision:

This report presented the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee on the Policy Review ‘Promoting Economic Vitality, including Markets’ for consideration.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To take account of the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     the Committee endorses the initiatives in delivering the Council’s key priority ‘Driving Economic Vitality’ as detailed within the Council Plan;

(2)     the Committee supports the continued collaborative working with stakeholders, businesses and traders working towards building more vibrant towns;

(3)     the success of projects identified within the individual Vibrant Market Towns Investment Plans be assessed after six months of their implementation or such other period as appropriate;

(4)     the issues regarding empty shops be monitored and an assessment of the new initiatives to encourage occupation by new traders be provided after six months of their implementation or such other period as appropriate;

(5)     continued communication with market traders and the organisers of farmers markets be undertaken in order to encourage new traders and the reinstatement of the farmers markets within the market towns;

(6)     the opportunities presented by hosting major sporting events and other bespoke events such as festivals and seasonal markets continue to be explored and implemented; and

(7)     continued improvements to communications on the support offered to businesses be explored.

This report seeks approval of the applications for the Making a Difference Grants.

In accepting the recommendation the grants proposed in Annex A of the report will be approved.

The subject of the decision:

In February 2018 Cabinet agreed to allocate £125,000 form the One-Off Fund for the 2019/20 ‘Making a Difference’ grants scheme.  This report sought consideration of the recommendations from each of the five decision making panels made up of Elected Members from each of the sub-areas.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the recommendations from the panels supported the Council’s priorities and adhered to the principles of the grants programme which would make a difference to the quality of life for the residents of Hambleton.

THE DECISION:

That the grants proposed in Annex A of the report be approved.

This report seeks agreement to put forward an Expression of Interest to the Future High Streets Fund.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve the submission of an Expression of Interest for Northallerton to the first round of the Future High Streets Fund on 22 March 2019.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought agreement to put forward an Expression of Interest to the Future High Streets Fund.  The Future High Streets Fund was part of the Government’s ‘Our Plan for the High Street’ and would provide co-funding towards capital projects that brought transformational change.  The fund would help the implementation of bold new visions to transform town centres and make them fit for the future.  A total of £675m was available nationally.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the development of an Expression of Interest supported the Council’s priority of driving economic vitality, and more specifically, it would support businesses to grow, help maximise private sector investment and strengthen the economic prosperity of the market town.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves the submission of an Expression of Interest for Northallerton to the first round of the Future High Streets Fund on 22 March 2019.

This report seeks approval to waive the procurement rules set out in the Council’s Procurement Procedure Rules and Procurement Manual in relation to a contract to procure physical improvement works to the Link and East road in Northallerton.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will grant an exemption from the Council’s Procurement Procedure Rules and authorise the Deputy Chief Executive (at his discretion), in consultation with the Leader, to negotiate the terms of and enter into an agreement with Central Northallerton Development Company Limited to provide the improvement works to The Link and East Road, Northallerton.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval to waive the procurement rules set out in the Council’s Procurement Procedure Rules and Procurement Manual in relation to a contract to procure physical improvement works to the Link and East road in Northallerton.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that request to waiver the procurement rules was necessary on the basis that there were circumstances which were genuinely exceptional, namely that the Central Northallerton Development Company Limited was best placed to deliver the improvement works and therefore represented best value.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet grants an exemption from the Council’s Procurement Procedure Rules and authorises the Deputy Chief Executive (at his discretion), in consultation with the Leader, to negotiate the terms of and enter into an agreement with Central Northallerton Development Company Limited to provide the improvement works to The Link and East Road, Northallerton.

Declaration of Interest

Councillor P R Wilkinson declared a personal non-pecuniary interest as he was Chairman of the Central Northallerton Development Company Limited and he left the meeting prior to discussion and voting on the item.

Councillor P R Wilkinson did not return to the meeting.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 9 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

THE DECISION:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the item of business at minute no CA.69 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as the Cabinet was satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

This report provides an update on the current position regarding the Treadmills Phase 1 development.

The subject of the decision:

This report provides an update on the current position regarding the Treadmills Phase 1 development and sought agreement to amend the terms for Unit 1.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with Section 120 of the Local Government Act 1972 which allowed the Council to acquire land by agreement for the benefit, improvement or development of its area.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves:-

(1)     the amended terms for Unit 1 are accepted in relation to occupancy, purchase price and rental income; and

(2)     that the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to approve further or amended terms if required.