The meeting on 12 December 2024 of the Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee included updates from Airedale Hospital and the Kex Gill roadworks, as well as consideration of a petition concerning road safety in Bentham.

Airedale Hospital Rebuild

Councillors were provided with an update on the Airedale Hospital rebuild project, including an update on the enabling works that were scheduled to be discussed with the local community.

The enabling works include the construction of a new multi-storey car park, a new access road from Skipton Road, and a new electricity substation. Councillors were also provided with an update on the planned relocation of the hospital's nursery.

The Committee had previously received correspondence from Airedale Hospital in which they were told:

We are reaching a key milestone in our journey towards building a new Airedale hospital so wanted to let you know about the plans for work that is needed to support the new hospital.

The Committee was informed that Airedale Hospital NHS Trust planned to hold a series of roadshows in November 2024 to share their plans for these enabling works with the local community and to gather their feedback.

Kex Gill Update

Councillors were provided with an update on the progress of the A59 Kex Gill realignment project.

The report provided an account of the work done up to November 2024, including:

• The removal of 3.3km of dry stone walling.
• The diversion of Kex Beck.
• Excavation work for drainage and highway formation.
• Remedial work for landslips that had occurred between February and June 2024.

The report concluded by listing the tasks scheduled to be carried out between November and December 2024, including:

Divert the water course through Structure 10. Prepare Fill Area 9 (removal of soft ground and construct the drainage layer). Continue earthworks in Fill 5 as long as the weather allows. Earthworks to Fill area 5 (steep embankment requiring benching) due to continue. Drainage layer in Fill 7. Preparation for installing structures during the winter months.

Community Safety & CCTV Update

Councillors were provided with an update on community safety in the Skipton and Ripon area, including an update on the arrangements for community safety hubs and CCTV.

The report informed the Committee about the structure of the new Community Safety team within North Yorkshire Council and outlined the new roles and responsibilities within the team.

The report also included an update on the work of the North Yorkshire Community Safety Partnership and summarised their strategic priorities for 2024-2028. In the report the Partnership's vision was described as:

Working together to make North Yorkshire feel safe and protected from harm. Working in partnership to deliver local, regional and national priorities.

Receipt of Petition Titled '20mph speed limit for High and Low Bentham'

Councillors were asked to consider a response to a 1,031 signature petition requesting the implementation of a 20mph speed limit in High Bentham and Low Bentham.

The petition organiser, Peter Leonard, wrote that:

In presenting this petition to the council, I would like to point out that there has been overwhelming support for a 20mph speed limit in High and Low Bentham.

The Committee was informed that a traffic survey had been carried out in October 2024 and that the results of that survey suggested that the traffic speeds on Main Street in both High and Low Bentham, as well as on Goodenber Road in High Bentham, were at a level that would allow the implementation of a 20mph speed limit without the need for traffic calming.

However, the survey suggested that the traffic speeds on the section of Low Bentham Road outside the Primary School, and on Robin Lane, were above the threshold for a 20mph limit to be considered. Officers recommended that no scheme be taken forward on Robin Lane, but that further investigation may be needed into traffic calming measures outside the school.

The report concluded that:

Officers have already concluded that the introduction of 20mph speed limits is appropriate for some roads in High Bentham and therefore the request set out in the petition has been satisfied and no further action in response to the petition is required.

NYC Housing Strategy, Partnerships & Enabling – Affordable Housing Overview

Councillors were provided with an overview of the provision of affordable housing in the area covered by the committee.

The report began by summarising North Yorkshire Council's housing strategy, which has the stated vision to:

ensure good quality, affordable, healthy and sustainable homes that meet the present and future needs of all our communities.

The report included information about the council's plans for:

• Preventing and tackling homelessness.
• Meeting the housing needs of specific groups.
• Growing the supply of housing.
• Supporting communities through neighbourhood renewal and regeneration schemes.
• Decarbonising the housing stock.
• Addressing stock condition issues.

Impact of Tourism on the Skipton and Ripon Constituency

Councillors discussed the impact of tourism in the Skipton and Ripon area. The meeting considered the conclusions of a previous report into the matter, which had been prepared for Craven District Council prior to its abolition.

The previous report concluded that while tourism has both positive and negative impacts, there were a number of measures that could be taken to mitigate the negative impacts. These measures included:

• Considering the impact of tourism on local infrastructure during the planning process.
• Reviewing the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's no litter bin policy.
• Improving traffic management in honeypot areas.
• Encouraging the use of legislative powers to control large scale events.
• Promoting the use of multi-agency partnerships to find solutions to community problems.
• Improving engagement and communication between the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and local parish councils.
• Increasing on-site management of large events by Yorkshire Dales National Park officers.
• Promoting the use of green travel plans.

Councillors discussed whether there were any specific concerns about tourism in the Skipton and Ripon constituency and what further action should be taken to understand and manage the impact of tourism.

Care Homes Update Report

Councillors were due to receive an update on the state of care homes in the Skipton and Ripon Constituency.