The Richmond (Yorks) Area Committee met to discuss a range of local issues, including a petition to save Richmond Swimming Pool from closure, updates from Yorkshire Water and Northumbrian Water, and a briefing note on local banking and cash handling services. The committee agreed to prepare a report to the decision maker, with recommendations to inform the decision on the future of Richmond Swimming Pool.

Richmond Swimming Pool Petition

The committee considered a petition with over 3,000 signatures calling for Richmond Swimming Pool to remain open. The pool is currently closed due to a partial ceiling collapse, and the council is assessing options for the site, including repairs, upgrades, alternative uses, and the impact of other facilities in the area.

The Assistant Director for Culture and Leisure Services provided background information, stating that no decisions have been made and that an options appraisal is underway. The Housing and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee will consider the appraisal on 23 September 2025, before a decision is made by the council's Executive, provisionally scheduled for 18 November 2025. A survey to gather the views of local residents and pool users received over 2,800 responses.

The committee considered four options:

• Support the request to keep the pool open.
• Reject the request.
• Commission further investigation.
• Prepare a report to the decision maker with recommendations.

The committee agreed to prepare a report to the decision maker, with recommendations to inform the decision.

Yorkshire Water Presentation

Sarah Robinson, Corporate Affairs Manager at Yorkshire Water, gave a presentation covering several key areas:

• Leakage: Yorkshire Water has employed an additional 100 people in the leakage team, which now operates 24 hours a day. The team is fixing over 800 leaks a week. Yorkshire Water met its target to reduce leakage by 15% during the last Asset Management Period (2020-2025) and plans to reduce it by at least 12% in the current period, investing £38m in smart network devices and £406m to replace over 1000km of clean water mains.
• River Pollution: Yorkshire Water is investing £1.5 billion over five years to reduce discharges from combined storm overflows (CSO) and £98 million in water quality monitoring. Investment is planned for several sites in the Northallerton area, including Bellerby STW, Newton Le Willows STW, Catterick Bridge CSO, Park View CSO, Constable Burton STW, Reeth STW, Gilling West STW, Skeeby CSO, Harmby CSO, Thoralby STW, Hawes STW, Water End CSO, Hunton STW, West Burton STW, and Marske STW.
• Phosphorous Removal: Yorkshire Water aims to reduce phosphorous in its final effluent by 75% by 2030 (from a 2020/21 baseline). AMP 8 Phosphorous removal schemes are planned at Northallerton WwTW and Leyburn WwTW.
• Sewage Management: Yorkshire Water manages over 53,000km of sewers and 608 wastewater treatment works (WwTW). The company has a 25-year Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan, accounting for climate change, population growth and urban creep.
• Growth and Planning: Yorkshire Water works with local planning authorities to encourage sustainable water management, using sustainable drainage systems¹ and storage techniques, and surface water separation to limit the impact on its network.
• Sustainable Land Management: Yorkshire Water's Beyond Nature farms initiative supports farmers in managing their land.
• Roadworks and Traffic Management: Yorkshire Water works with North Yorkshire Council's highways team on traffic management and road closures, complying with the Safety at Street Works: A Code of Practice (the Red Book).

Local Banking and Cash Handling Services

The committee reviewed a briefing note on banking and cash handling services in the area. The report highlighted the decline of local bank branches due to the rise of digital banking, changing customer preferences, and cost-cutting measures.

The report noted that 30 banks and building societies partner with the Post Office to offer banking services. The government has announced a review of the Post Office, including how it can improve banking services.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) expects firms to consider the impact of branch closures on customers' access to banking and cash. Banking Hubs are being set up by the banking industry to provide a shared space for banks to meet with customers. A member of the public, community group, councillor, or MP can request a review of a community's cash access needs from LINK, the organisation responsible for the UK's ATM network.

The report included a list of banking services available in the Richmond committee area.

Northumbrian Water Update

Northumbrian Water provided an update on its services in the area, which cover around 11,800 properties across the Richmond District, Hambleton, and a small part of Scarborough.

The update covered:

• Response times to reported leaks: Northumbrian Water uses smart sensors, AI-enabled analysis, and 'No-Dig' repair technology to identify and repair leaks quickly.
• Steps being taken to reduce river pollution: Northumbrian Water's Restore and Regenerate Environment Strategy includes targeted sewer maintenance, expansion of early-warning monitoring systems, investment in storm overflow improvements, and nature-based solutions.
• Housing development, sustainable water management and infrastructure: Northumbrian Water works with developers to ensure new water and wastewater connections are delivered on time.
• Sewerage management, capacity, pollution incidents: Northumbrian Water has achieved a 69% reduction in internal sewer flooding over the past five years.
• Sustainable land management and natural flood management: Northumbrian Water works with partners on nature-based solutions, such as peatland restoration and tree planting.
• Roadworks and traffic management: Northumbrian Water aims to minimise disruption during roadworks, using 'No-Dig' technology and careful scheduling.

Northumbrian Water stated that they are happy to attend future meetings, including planning committees, to explain their role as a non-statutory consultee and the legal framework around developers' 'right to connect'.

Other Matters

• Localities Update: The committee received an update on projects and programmes delivered by the Localities service in the Richmond Constituency area in 2024/25.
• Ash Dieback: The committee received the latest information on ash dieback, a fungal disease affecting ash trees.
• Work Programme: The committee considered its work programme and made amendments.
• Update from the MP: A written update was received from the local MP, The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak.