This report considered a request from the Conservative Group to appoint a Member to the vacant seats on the Scrutiny Committee and the Thirsk and Sowerby Swimming Baths Charity which arose following the resignation of a Council Member in October 2021.

The Decision:

That Councillor Philippa James be appointed to the vacancies on the Scrutiny Committee and the Thirsk and Sowerby Swimming Baths Charity.

The Decision:

That the reports, resolutions and recommendations of the following meeting of the Licensing Committee be received, approved and adopted:-

It was moved by Councillor M S Robson and seconded by Councillor G W Dadd:

“Acknowledging the steps taken by the UK government and other world leaders at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, the huge scale of the challenge we face to keep the rise in average global temperature below 1.5°, the key role of local authorities in meeting the UK’s climate targets and, above all, our responsibility towards future generations, we believe the time has now come for Hambleton District Council to join other institutions and organisations throughout the country in declaring a climate emergency.  We invite the people of Hambleton to join us in our efforts to rapidly cut emissions across the District and accelerate the progress we have already made as an Authority towards building a cleaner, greener, high-skills economy.”

The Decision:

That the Notice of Motion be supported.

The Decision:

That the reports, resolutions and recommendations of the following meeting of the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee be received, approved and adopted:-

(a)    Councillor P R Wilkinson, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Finance made a statement regarding Additional Restrictions Grant – Business Support; Hambleton Apprenticeship Scheme; Insight with Passion Workshops Phase 3; C4DI Northallerton; Vibrant Market Towns; Financial Management and draft budget proposals for 2022/23.

(b)    Councillor P A Thompson, Portfolio Holder for Leisure made a statement regarding Sowerby Sports Village; Hambleton Heroes; Community Grants; Bedale Leisure Centre Developments; Thirsk and Sowerby Leisure Centre reopening and Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

(c)    Councillor Mrs I Sanderson, Portfolio Holder for Governance made a statement regarding free car parking; World of James Herriot and the Forum; Public Street Lighting; Electoral Services; ICT and the phishing campaign.  A question was asked regarding the roll out regarding electric charging points for vehicles which was responded to at the meeting.

(d)    Councillor D Webster, Portfolio Holder for Planning made a statement regarding Local Plan; Ingleby Arncliffe Neighbourhood Plan; Land Charges and Development Management.

(e)    Councillor S Watson, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health, Waste and Recycling made a statement  regarding Waste and Street Scene (garden waste, budgets and Local Government Restructure); Environmental Health (food, Covid, new Management Information System, Local Government Restructure and Air Quality); Warm Homes Schemes; Avian Flu; Climate Change Strategy; Outreach and Queen’s Green Canopy.  A question was asked regarding the location of the air quality monitors which was responded to at the meeting.

(f)     Councillor M G Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Projects made a statement regarding Maple Park Crematorium and the North Northallerton relief road.

The Leader moved Cabinet minutes CA.31 – CA.33 (5 October 2021); CA.36 (2 November 2021) and CA.39 – CA.42 (7 December 2021) and made a statement to the Council on the following matters:-

·            Continued support to communities and businesses throughout the pandemic.

·            Local Government Reorganisation.

·            The £4m redevelopment of Thirsk and Sowerby Leisure Centre.

·            The development of Hambleton Crematorium at Maple Park.

·            Consultation on the draft budget prior to consideration at Cabinet in February 2022.

·            Elections in May 2022.

A number of questions were asked based on the statement.  The main issues which the Leader responded to were in relation to:-

·            Ongoing review regarding the appointment of Interim Section 151 Officer.

·            Ingleby Arncliffe Neighbourhood Plan Adoption.

The Decision:

That the reports, resolutions and recommendations of the following meetings of the Cabinet be received, approved and adopted:-

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Philippa James who had been elected for the Raskelf and White Horse Ward at the By-Election on 25 November 2021.

The Chairman also wished everybody a Merry Christmas and New Year.

The decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2021 (C.10 - C.14), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of the 4 year Capital Programme covering the financial years 2022/23 to 2025/26, the 2022/23 Capital Programme in line with good practice.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

It is a mandatory requirement under Local Government Act 2003 and CIPFA Prudential Code to ensure a capital programme is affordable, sustainable and deliverable over a 3-year period.  The programme before Cabinet met this requirement.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves the 4 Year Capital Programme identified in Annex and the detailed Capital Programme for 2022/23 of £12,072,337 within that table for consultation with residents and statutory stakeholders.  The detail will be reported to February Cabinet when the final budget will be approved and recommended to Council.

The subject of the decision:

This report presented a draft Revenue Budget for 2022/23 and sought approval to go out to consult residents and statutory stakeholders upon it.  A final budget report would be presented in February with the results of the consultation, the final local government financial settlement identifying central government support and the overall level of reserves.  This would form the basis of the Council Tax report to February Council.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

It is a legal requirement under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to set a balanced budget and monitor progress.  This report was the first stage of that process.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves the draft revenue budget in this report for consultation with residents and statutory partners.  The detail will be reported to February Cabinet when the final budget will be approved and recommended to Council.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided an update on the Sowerby Sports Village development and to presented options for delivering Phase 4 to construct a 3G artificial pitch with changing room provision and ancillary works including installation of services (water and electricity), hard and soft landscaping, external lighting and fixture and fittings.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The Sports Village is a key component part of the Sowerby Gateway scheme in enhancing the quality of lives of the residents of the locality as well as within the wider Thirsk area.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)       the Football Foundation grant award of £511,912 is accepted;

(2)       the construction of the 3g pitch, the changing rooms and the associated works and fees (referred to as Option 2) are approved and financed as highlighted in Table 5; and

(3)       the revenue costs are increased by £40,000 from 2022/23.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided the Quarter 2 update as at 30 September 2021 on the progress of the capital programme 2021/22 and the treasury management position.  A full schedule of the capital programme 2021/22 schemes was attached at Annex A of the report, together with the relevant update on progress of each scheme.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2003 and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Prudential Code and the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council:-

(1)       the net decrease of £7,684,708 in the capital programme to £26,812,440 and all expenditure movements as detailed in Annex A of the report;

(2)       approve the four new schemes in paragraph 2.3 (ii) of the report and the funding of £100,000;

(3)       approve the Springboard Brise Soleil Refurbishment scheme at a cost of £250,000 and the funding as detailed in paragraph 2.3 (iii) of the report;

(4)       allocate £220,000 to the Thirsk and Sowerby Leisure Centre project as detailed in paragraph 2.3 (iv) of the report;

(5)       approve an additional spend of £150,000 on Treadmills as outlined in paragraph 2.3 (vi); and

(6)       approve the additional spend £172,876 to the Thirsk and Sowerby Sports Village scheme in 2021/22 which is detailed in paragraph 2.7 of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report considered the results of the Ingleby Arncliffe Neighbourhood Plan referendum.  It asked Cabinet to approve and recommend to Council that it formally ‘make’ the Neighbourhood Plan and bring it into full legal force as part of the Development Plan for the Hambleton District.  This would allow the Neighbourhood Plan to progress in line with the relevant Neighbourhood Planning legislation and Regulations.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The Council is legally obliged to ‘make’ the plan because it meets the legal requirements for plan making.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that it formally ‘make’ the Ingleby Arncliffe Neighbourhood Plan and bring it into full legal force as part of the Development Plan for the Hambleton District.  The Council is legally obliged to ‘make’ the plan because it meets the legal requirements for plan making.