Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister has kindly provided us with this featured report covering the latest council projects, key local initiatives, ongoing challenges and upcoming opportunities to get involved.

NYC website/phone lines

I have been advised by several residents that they are having difficulties getting through on the phone or use the chatbot on the NYC website. I have reported this back to officers who are reviewing this for me.

Highways

I met with an officer from Area 6 from Highways at the section of road to High Burton where there is water ingress. It has now been established that this is falls within Area 2, which might explain why this and also the silted up verges have not been attended to. Highways are going to raise this with Area 2 and I will follow it up, we will need to have another meeting on site to review.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Local Nature Recovery Strategy documents | North Yorkshire Council

The LNRS document was published on 18th February, and we are now transitioning into delivery the strategy.

NYC would like to understand if you would want to be involved in the LNRS & if so, requesting that you complete the online form below. This would take no more than 5-10 mins of your time.

The form asks whether you would:
• be interested in attending an online webinar to find out more
• like to deliver some of the LNRS measures (actions)
• be interested in joining a group about nature activity

We are asking participants to complete the form by Thursday 30th April

Local Nature Recovery Strategy follow-up

UK Town of Culture

The Uredale Partnership have submitted a bid for Ripon to enter for this.

Connectivity

I have been in touch with Quickline recently who have given me an update on their Ripon Projects which are delivering fibre broadband to dwellings to the west and north of Ripon. Subject to a few delays, these are on track and are being delivered over the course of the year.
I have been forwarded a response from to Julian Smith from the Minister for Digital Connectivity about the lack of mobile connectivity in the area. Whilst the Home Office have installed additional masts in the Settle and Leyburn areas, this part of the world has not had any investment and there are a disproportionately high number of not-spot areas. I have raised further queries in response to the letter.

Housing Reform

The new Rental Act has come into effect, providing better protection for tenants. NYC are running Landlord Forums on this, the sessions will help landlords understand their new responsibilities and provide opportunities to network and share best practice. There is one on Wednesday, April 22, 4pm to 6.30pm at Harrogate Civic Centre, Saint Luke’s Mount, Harrogate, HG1 2AE. Book here

Clotherholme Social Value workshop

I attended a second workshop with Homes England before Easter. This is to establish what commitments can be given by the contractors at the site to benefit local organisations and communities. It is proposed that skills training will be provided on site and I asked that transport be subsidised for those travelling from outside of the area, and resource allocated to upgrading the Ripon to Fountains cycle route. I also suggested that contractors assist with works needed at Quarry Moor and the Wetlands, and I have asked both the Quarry Moor working group and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to put forward their “wishlist”.

Community Led Housing

I have recently raised the issue of there being inadequate policy provision for CLH in the new national guidelines, and the need for this to be specifically addressed in our draft Local Plan. I am on the Development Plan committee and will be raising this. I have also raised it with Julian Smith and he has forwarded my comments to the relevant Minister who has responded positively, and also with the NYC Executive.

Mobile Slaughter Units

Having visited one of these in the Cotswolds last month, I am putting together some outline figures to try to establish how it could be viable and what funding might be available.

Home to School Transport

The terms for the review of this policy were discussed recently at a Members seminar. I have asked for members to be provided with the cost/pupil before and after the policy introduction, along with an account of any savings delivered, any additional journeys introduced since the policy and an assessment of the proportion of pupils on roll who travel by bus/car before and after. The policy was assessed to have a positive impact on climate change when it was introduced.
As part of the Post Implementation Review of the policy, there is an opportunity to give feedback on its impact. The deadline for contributions is 1st June and the report will be published in October. The link to the form is here.

Ripon Mobility Hub

The latest draft proposal was discussed at the Area Constituency Committee this week. It was agreed that it should be more ambitious in its scope and consider the options which might not current be within reach in terms of budget. I was pleased to see that the scope included provision for an improved service to Thirsk station, but stressed that it should also cater for improved services coming into Ripon from the hinterland, and for residents changing onto connected buses. I am arranging for a presentation be made on scheme to the Uredale Transport & Connectivity Working Group.

Great Yorkshire Rivers Partnership

I recently met with an officer from this organisation, which is funding by Yorkshire Water. The objectives are to address barriers to fish migration in Yorkshire, restore natural river processes, improve water quality, and enhance biodiversity. Where there are barriers such as weirs that could be removed there is funding available and it might be possible for this to form part of larger projects such as hydro energy or natural flood management schemes. Please let me know if you want me to look into this further in this area, I was thinking that the weir on Swinney Beck?

Ousewem Catchment Modelling

I am told that the report is now complete and is being prepared for presentation. I have asked for this to be considered at the next Area Constituency Committee. It will establish the benefit of natural flood measures such as leaky dams and planting trees, in terms of the extent to which they each reduce downstream flooding (and helping prevent sewage treatment plants overflowing). Once published we will be able to assess the value of these measures, with a view to supporting a funding scheme for them. This covers the four rivers that flow into the Ouse.

Silver Street Pedestrian Crossing

I have been liaising with the Transport Planning Officer and Howard Mountain regarding Mayoral funding that might be available for an assessment of a crossing, and the routes available. Howard will update you on this I expect.

 

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