I had hoped I would be able to revert to a monthly report following Paul Peppiate’s on-line Embsay & Eastby Post revival of the excellent Embsay w Eastby News so ably edited by Andrew Wilson over many years. Paul’s inspirational idea and readiness for the challenge are to be applauded and I am sure we all wish him well for the progress of this revised venture to help keep the community informed, entertained and educated, particularly helping to ensure the community maintains its close connections and forges its way to become a recognised and respected voice in what is likely to be a major restructuring of local government over the next 2-3 years.

My delay in submitting a report re CDC matters in June was for the latter very reason. We had been reliably (?)  informed that Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Communities, Local Government and Housing was to announce his plans for North Yorkshire re-organisation in mid June. Alas, it is now the third week in July and still nothing from Westminster. Word now is that the imminent Parliamentary summer recess may well be the time when an appropriate announcement is released. We shall wait and see! See later*

Since my last report, CDC has commenced a new Council year. Councillor Alan Sutcliffe has assumed  the mantle of  Council Chairman with Cllr Simon Myers as his deputy. Both are elected members of the Gargrave and Malhamdale Ward which shares a mutual boundary with part of  Embsay with Eastby.

Council and most committee meetings have, since the 17^th May, reverted to ‘in person’ form as opposed to virtual ‘on-line’ form. This has been due to the expiry of emergency legislaton made due to the Covid pandemic and an apparent reluctance by the Govt to extend this facility, claiming that any decision made by the Council (whether full or under delegated powers) other than a recommendation is illegal. CDC officers and some members are currently exploring the possibility of ‘hybrid ‘ meetings – part virtual and part membership – which may overcome this procedural obstacle and the legality issue. It will also, if adopted, enable the public to watch and listen to debates, follow procedures and make representations in appropriate cases. It has been remarkable to see the increased level of virtual viewing of meetings by the public during lockdown periods in comparison with public attendance at ‘live’ meetings. It would be inappropriate to venture an opinion as to why this has been so – is it genuine interest, entertainment, curiosity or simply that ‘real’ meeting arrangements lack the convenience for attendance? Polite opinions will be welcomed!

I should add that it appears the Govt is exploring changing related legislation to legalise decision making at on line meetings. However nothing emanating from Westminster or Whitehall appears possible at the stroke of a pen and it is thought several months will elapse before any enabling legislation is enacted.

Some time ago now, amongst a wide range of other measures, a proposal for a Planning Bill was included in the Queen’s Speech at the re-opening of Parliament earlier in the year. The idea had been mooted as early as last year with a range of consultations with Councils and other interested bodies, but has now taken a step further forward. However, already considerable opposition has been raised from several MPs and others in the Shire counties due to the implications of swathes of countryside being designated for development to meet what appears to be an insatiable demand for more housing. Given other priorities and the aforementioned opposition from it’s own party members there are now suggestions that the proposals to be considered will be watered ‘down’ before Parliament takes the matter forward. In the last proposals, Embsay w Eastby escaped any major proposals for pre designated development but the Aire valley downstream of Skipton has not escaped such intention.

On a more domestic level I have received, via the Parish Council and directly from residents, many concerns as to the apparent increase in speeding traffic through our 2 villages. I raised this matter at the most recent Select (Crime and Disorder) committee directly with local Police Inspector Breen and have been advised that involvement between the local speedwatch group –traffic and our (relatively) new PCSO (Rachel Wood) would be pursued with the aim of reaching a level experienced when PCSO Ruth Pearson was last involved in our area. As part of Inspector Breen’s report it emerged that despite not being entirely crime incident free, Embsay w Eastby enjoys one of the lowest levels of reported crime within Craven District.

Concerning speeding traffic and a recent on–line petition, relating to a request for a 40mph speed limit from Embsay to Skipton, the majority of this route is within Skipton Ward and traffic speed regulation is dealt with at County (NYCC) level, over which I have little effective influence (also see later re my comments about Shires Lane). I suggest contact with and lobbying County Councillors Gill Quinn, Andy Solloway and Robert Heseltine and (at District level) David Nolland will be the best equipped  to lobby for a decreased speed limit from the currently unrestricted level. I have already voiced concerns on behalf of Embsay and Eastby residents to these members and received whole hearted positive support. I will send further advice shortly.

Future traffic levels along Shires Lane and subsequently East Lane have been the frequent and lengthy cause for concern in connection with the 2 new developments occurring. Again NYCC highways hold the key to any desirable and necessary improvements. The Wooler development proposals include a footpath running from the site entrance through a belt of public amenity land between Shires Lane and the actual houses before reverting to a conventional roadside verge footpath up to the Paper Shop . This latter section falls fully within the control of NYCC and I have not been able to see full details (see my subsequent comments re NYCC communications).

As far as the very recently commenced development to the East of the cricket field goes, planning consent has been granted for 40 houses with a range of conditions including use of prior approved materials, landscaping, flood precaution measures and (specified by the Planning Inspectorate when the development was granted consent on appeal after refusal by CDC) a paved verge footpath from the site along past the cricket field to the access road into Woolers development and ‘traffic calming measures’ at the junction with East Lane. Exactly what such measures will be is currently unknown. NYCC highways are reticent to relay any related information other than the matter is currently under negotiation with the developer (Candelisa) under a statutory agreement format and procedure.

I am currently up against a ‘brick wall’ in terms of further information from Highways (the latest communication I received was of a ‘It’s our road and verge and we’ll do what we want – we don’t need planning permission from CDC nor do we have to undertake community consultation’ (my words not theirs) nature.

With the latter aspect clearly in my mind and works being commenced at the Candelisa site, including the gargantuan and grossly unwarranted sales hoardings, immediately following which I received the latest message referred to in the previous paragraph, alarm bells rang in my mind and I very quickly contacted officers at CDC with an urgent request to make a Tree Preservation Order in respect of the trees in the highway verge. The CDC tree officer has agreed my request on the basis of the  contribution made by the trees to the visual amenity of the street scene and surrounding locality and the Council’s legal dept. ‘pulled all the stops out’ and drafted, issued and served the appropriate notification within the day.  

Following the start of the Council New Year (May 2021)– another tranche of money through the Ward Member Grant scheme has been released. Councillors have the opportunity to recommend the issue of grant money toward a range of community beneficial projects, both supporting development of new and expansion of existing facilities and creation of new opportunities within the Craven area for the benefit of it’s communities. Examples which have benefitted from my support within recent years include Embsay w Eastby Village Institute, Embsay Playgroup, the new Mums and Babies group and the Village fete. I have also, in the absence of any further local applications for grant, given financial assistance to a new sports group at Sandylands, Skipton (over 50s ‘walking’ football and towards new musical instruments for Giggleswick Band. (Ward member money isn’t transferable as an accumulating fund from year to year). I now have some more funds to continue the opportunity for other local group and community benefits. Please don’t hesitate to give me  a call to discuss any project you may have in mind. Alternatively the CDC website provides access to further details including related application forms.

*Having just completed this news update, I’ve now (8.30pm 21^st July)  received initial details of the proposed local government restructuring in North Yorkshire and you may well be able to read initial assessments in some daily papers before I have an opportunity to study details.  I will report again in due course having had time to study details further.

Brian Shuttleworth  – your Craven District Councillor 

 07432 803647    Cllr.BShuttleworth@cravendc.gov.uk