The Richmond (Yorks) Area Constituency Committee of North Yorkshire Council discussed several significant issues, including the renewal of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Richmond Falls and the Batts area, concerns about Yorkshire Water's investment in infrastructure, the impact of BT/Openreach's digital phone line rollout in the Upper Dales, and the development of the Catterick Integrated Care Campus.

Public Space Protection Order for Richmond Falls and the Batts Area

Richmond Town Council raised concerns about the impending lapse of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) implemented by Richmondshire District Council in April 2021 to combat anti-social behaviour at Richmond Falls and the Batts area. The PSPO, which is set to expire at the end of March 2024, has been instrumental in giving police and council officers the authority to move groups, issue fines for unruly behaviour, and prevent activities such as littering and lighting fires.

Odette Robson, Head of Community Safety and CCTV, responded that discussions with North Yorkshire Police and other services are ongoing, and a meeting with the council's legal advisor and Assistant Chief Executive Rachel Joyce is scheduled to consider the options. An update will be provided after the next meeting on 20 March.

Yorkshire Water's Infrastructure Investment

The Save our Swale Community Group expressed concerns about Yorkshire Water's failure to invest in infrastructure to prevent untreated sewage and harmful chemicals from entering the River Swale. The group highlighted that Yorkshire Water has prioritised paying dividends to shareholders over necessary infrastructure investments, resulting in significant debt.

Callum McKeon, Assistant Director of Regulatory Services, stated that while the council does not directly regulate river water quality, it will continue to work with key partners like the Environment Agency to address these issues. The concerns raised by Save our Swale will be passed on to the relevant authorities for further consideration.

BT/Openreach Digital Phone Line Rollout in the Upper Dales

Richard Lewis of Low Row raised concerns about the BT/Openreach digital phone line rollout in the Upper Dales, highlighting the lack of suitable information, poor mobile phone coverage, and the critical need for reliable communication in remote areas. The digital network's reliance on power means that during outages, residents could be left without any means of communication.

Cath Ritchie, Business Relationship Manager, Transformation, explained that the switch to digital landlines is an industry-led process backed by the government, with a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Charter in place to protect vulnerable consumers. North Yorkshire Council will communicate key messages to residents starting in April 2024 to ensure they are informed about the switchover.

Development of the Catterick Integrated Care Campus

Lisa Pope, Deputy Place Director, North Yorkshire for the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, provided an update on the Catterick Integrated Care Campus. The project aims to deliver a state-of-the-art health and wellbeing campus for Catterick and the surrounding area. Groundworks are complete, and phase two commenced in January 2024. Stakeholder and community engagement events are planned for summer 2024, with the build expected to be completed by 2026. The facility will provide various services, although the inclusion of NHS dentistry is still under discussion.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

Councillor Stuart Parsons was appointed as the council's representative on the Richmond School Trust until a replacement is appointed.

Annual Schools Educational Achievement & Finance Report

The committee considered a report on the local educational landscape, including school standards, attainment, suspensions, exclusions, and financial challenges. Members discussed the consistently below-average Attainment 8 scores and the marked increase in suspensions, seeking clarification on the steps being taken to address these issues. The report was deferred for consideration at a future meeting.

Draft Work Programme 2024-25

The committee reviewed its draft work programme for the municipal year 2024-25, suggesting the inclusion of updates from Richmondshire Leisure Trust and the A684 Morton Flatts River Swale Flooding. The work programme was noted, and the agreed additions will be explored for inclusion.