It is some considerable time since I last submitted a report for the local community – not that I haven’t been busy dealing with a wealth of issues administered by CDC before and since Christmas and New Year, primarily relating to new projects both in Embsay w Eastby and other issues applying to the wider Craven Area sometimes amounting to 4 meetings per a week (at times 2 in a day) in addition to associated and unrelated telephone conversations, studying a wealth of reports and documents and related correspondence.

Generally I have endeavoured to ensure developments are of a visually compatible nature to the surrounding features and general infrastructure. One issue which is, I have to say, somewhat galling to my attitude to common sense is one relating to highways and traffic problems. Whist CDC is a Planning Authority, it is a statutory obligation in common with other similar authorities for consultation on related matters to be  undertaken with the local Highway Authority (ie North Yorkshire County Council) and whilst I regularly lobby related officers and our currently elected NYCC member, (who has been supportive of my views) there seems to be a corporate approach to related standards based predominantly on urban design principles with little regard for the variety and local nature of  problems in rural and semi-rural areas, both potential and real. This causes a number of issues being experienced by elected members where common sense is over-ridden by rigidly applied standards and where related appeals to the Govt. Planning Inspectorate against common sense decisions made by the Planning Authority are overturned with the possibility of costs being awarded against the Council on the basis of a decision being ‘unreasonable’. I sincerely hope a product of  LG reorganisation and unification to form a single authority (provisionally designated North Yorkshire Council – NYC – see later in this report) in the near future will improve some of the problems currently experienced by bringing planning and highways under ‘the same umbrella’. I shall certainly (if elected – see later) lobby for improved interdepartmental relationships and some rationalisation between currently disparate functions in addition to a more flexible approach relating to highway improvements outside the sphere of development control.

A certain local housing development has raised a number of issues which I have pursued with the related CDC officers and more generally by addressing full Council urging concentrated action be taken to boost the planning department (development and enforcement) to provide the capability of promptly addressing unsatisfactory circumstances causing concern (justifiably so) to local residents and in clear breach of conditions attached to related approvals which have been granted. As I type this report there are some indications of improvements and material progress in resolving some outstanding issues in what has been undoubtedly a most unsatisfactory period and has done little to enhance a regrettably problem strewn start to the overall development and CDCs role as Planning Authority. There are however other issues where I have, despite repeated requests, not yet received any satisfactory answers and am still pursuing resolution.

I have also, in a ‘dual hatted’ role, been liaising with the Parish Council and undertaking initial negotiations with CDC, freehold owners of the Main Street car park with a view to the car park being wholly acquired (as opposed to the current leasehold interest) by the Parish Council to protect against the possibility of a successor authority (ie after imminent local government re-organisation) purchasing the freehold and putting this currently invaluable  asset to an alternative use. Negotiations so far have been promising. A critical decision is expected to be made in early April by CDC Policy committee.

Movement towards local government reorganisation proceeds steadily. Whilst the Structural Changes Order (which is the vital legal document currently passing through Westminster to enable the related changes to occur) has not yet been confirmed, it is widely thought this is now simply a matter of administrative procedure, likely to be finalised in mid March and will culminate on May 5^th when an election will be held to select a County Councillor to sit on the current North Yorkshire County Council and be a member of a ‘shadow authority’ until 1^st April 2023 and thereon for a period of 4 years on the new North Yorkshire Council which will be responsible for administering all current County and District Council functions. A new electoral ward has been drawn up for this purpose, bringing Embsay w Eastby and Skipton (North) together with a single representative to be elected. After a great deal of consideration, I have decided to stand as an Independent candidate for this forthcoming election with a view to represent the local area in light of my experiences at Parish and District level, my professional experience of 46 years in the property and construction sectors, and a deep seated commitment to the local area and community, having been an Embsay resident for over 50 years.

The local press has recently published an article referring to a CDC decision to not increase the Ward Member grant allowance in the final year of its life. I voted against the proposal to keep the grant at its present level. Over the last few years I have supported a range of local community causes and have already committed to financial assistance for 2 proposals over the coming financial year which have easily swallowed up the annual allocation to each member. The scheme, which may (or may not) have a future under the new regime of the new unitary authority (NYC) has, amongst other causes, helped to fund equipment for Embsay w Eastby Playgroup, refurbishment/ upgrading at the Village Institute including the new heating system, and more recently equipment for the annual Village Fete, together with support for musical instruments for a local orchestra, activities at Sandylands Sports Centre and the initial setting up of the New Beginnings Mothers and Babies Group in Embsay. I shall certainly (if elected) campaign strongly for similar (or better) funding opportunities by the new authority.

CDC Select (Scrutiny and Overview) Committee (of which I am vice chairman) is presently undertaking an extensive review into the impact of tourism (both beneficial and problematic) in the District having consulted a range of involved bodies and will shortly submit a detailed report with recommendations for (hopefully) adoption by the full Council and to be carried forward as part of an ongoing project in the new authority.

The final budget of CDC has been approved by full Council. That part of the total sum related to Council Tax services undertaken by CDC (and which excludes County, Police Fire and Crime, and Parish levies) has increased by 5%,  (ie £187.21 per household per annum for a property in Band D  and which is considered a fair level of increase given the inevitable escalating costs of service provision. I cannot, other than on a personal note, comment on increases by other bodies in the overall charging system. Regrettably we will all receive our demand letters in the near future!

Brian Shuttleworth  – your Craven District Councillor 

 07432 803647    Cllr.BShuttleworth@cravendc.gov.uk