Brian Shuttleworth
Your Craven District Councillor
07432 803 647
Over the last year a great deal of CDC Officer time, particularly within the Environmental Health and Finance depts has been extensively involved with the unprecedented effects of the coronavirus pandemic, administering financial support (sourced from the Govt) to businesses within Craven and advising and (ultimately enforcing in some cases) together with other Health and Safety Agencies, statutory requirements to reduce the risk of virus spread. 2 cases where statutory action was ultimately taken have been recently reported in the press, both involving licensed premises, one licensee receiving a 2 month ban and the other the full cancellation of his licence due to a series of offences in breach of Covid Regulations and other matters.
Much of the ‘normal’ operation of the Council was undertaken on a ‘work from home’ basis, presenting some distinct limitations for effective working where site visits were necessary for effective assessment of planning and similar applications, and all Council committee and full meetings were held on a virtual basis courtesy of ‘Zoom’. Initial (and understandable) difficulties were experienced until members were familiarised with this system of IT and signal fluctuations and other limitations in availability were also experienced, demonstrating more than anything the problems and limitations due to the lack of a comprehensive fibre cable network or other suitable signal systems in rural areas. However, a recent determination by the High Court has decreed that the Govt. emergency legislation allowing remote meetings is subsequently invalid after May 7th and all decision making meetings are to revert to traditional form, albeit socially distanced and with other relevant precautions. Consequently not all meetings will be held in the Council chamber at Belle Vue Square, the first Annual Council meeting being planned for Gargrave Village Hall. Only limited public attendance will be available – a great pity as it has been encouraging to see the numbers of ‘viewers’ watching meetings live or subsequently on Youtube and the apparent level of public interest in the process of local government.
As a matter of general interest, the following information demonstrates the range and level of work undertaken at CDC within the last 12 months despite the Covid pandemic and which particularly, but not exclusively, relates to Skipton and its surrounding parishes.
All essential services were kept running.
The waste collection service emptied some 1.4 million bins per annum.
The Finance Dept distributed Govt grant funding of approx. £40M to over 2500 local businesses in addition to routine work.
The Planning Dept processed over 1000 planning applications. A Planning Dept ‘Peer review’ was undertaken and recommendations are now being considered and steps taken to effectively implement a range of efficiency improvements.
Customer services dealt with over 48,000 telephone calls.
Bereavement services efficiently kept running, dealing with the sad, but inevitable increased demand throughout the Covid crisis.
The Skipton Town Hall reburbishment project continued despite unforeseen structural works and is due to reopen together with the Craven Museum and ancilliary accommodation and services in late June.
The refurbishment of the Kildwick to Gargrave section of the Leeds and Liverpool canal towpath was completed.
The Council planted 9000 trees on its own land to fulfil part of its Climate Emergency action plan.
A significant amount of the Gallows Syke flood relief scheme, primarily within Aireville Park, significantly reducing the flood risk to a large area of the western part of Skipton was undertaken, facilitating expansion of the employment facilities at Engine Shed Lane, Ings Lane and adjoining areas and with the intention to ultimately pave the way for a new link to the western by-pass, reducing the level of HGV traffic from the town centre.
A scheme to upgrade the area dubbed the Skipton Station Triangle Master Plan was introduced for public consultation with a view to ultimately upgrading this area to create a more attractive entrance to the town and greatly improved pedestrian approaches to the town centre. A further scheme to provide greater freedom of pedestrian access to areas of the town including the Coach St. area between Coach St. and High St. is currently under preparation. Both projects are heavily funded from Govt sources.
The recent elections (PFCC, Parish and local by-elections for District and County Council) were successfully organised and completed under Covid secure conditions.
The Govt. announcement of its intention to re-organise Local Government in North Yorkshire as part of the process of Devolution has resulted in extensive consultation and debate between relevant District Councils, the County Council and an opportunity for Parish Councils and the residents of the related areas to express their views. The CDC preference, in conjunction with the other District Councils, is for an East/West split to form 2 unitary authorities and has been forwarded to the Sec. of State for MHLG for consideration and an ultimate decision. NYCC has opted for a ‘mega’ unitary authority to cover all of North Yorkshire. It is expected a decision will be announced in July this year with a requirement that a new system be ‘up and running’ by April 2023. It is likely that Parish Councils will subsequently have the voluntary option of more extensive involvement and control over a range of services.
I hope to be able to continue to submit monthly updates relating to CDC work, both individually and of a corporate nature and which I trust will be of interest and demonstrate that your District Council is an active body endeavouring to create a better life for all residents.
Categories: All, Council Update Archive
