North Yorkshire Council is expected to maintain responsibility for Aireville Park, after recommending that councillors reject a bid from Skipton Town Council to run it.
Following the big changes to local government in the county earlier this year, North Yorkshire Council gave town and parish councils the chance to submit bids for a pilot scheme that could see them taking on the management of specific services in their area on behalf of the new unitary authority.
A dozen expressions of interest were submitted - and now North Yorkshire Council’s executive will meet on Tuesday next week (17th October) to discuss which of the bids should be progressed. Services which could be taken on by town and parish councils include managing parks, markets and public conveniences.
Skipton Town Council submitted a bid to manage the toilet block in the main car park behind the Town Hall, the Ginnel Woods, the Canal Basin and Aireville Park. North Yorkshire Council is recommending to its members that the management of Aireville Park is removed from the bid as it has the Craven Leisure sports centre and an associated car park situated within it. The car park is used both by Craven Leisure and park users.
With that revision, the bid would move to the full business case stage.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr David Chance, said: “We have made a commitment that local communities across North Yorkshire will be at the heart of all that we do as a council, making sure that we represent the views of the public.
“Town and parish councils are integral to our county’s vibrant communities, alongside community groups, and we recognise their understanding of the needs, opportunities and strengths within their communities.
“That’s why we are looking at this pilot scheme, working initially with selected town and parish councils, enabling us to progress cautiously, learning from the experience and developing best practice.
“These proposed pilots are just the start of the process, and the hope is that more will be introduced throughout North Yorkshire in the future.”
Bids for 'double devolution' had to meet specific criteria that included a solid business case and delivery plan as well as being cost neutral to North Yorkshire Council.
Five of the expressions of interest received are being recommended to move forward to a full business case. These are:
- Malton Town Council’s bid to manage Malton Market Place’s public toilet facilities, including cleaning and maintenance.
- A bid to manage the markets in Northallerton and Thirsk, as a collaborative venture between the two town councils.
- Richmond Town Council’s bid to manage the Friary Gardens.
- Filey Town Council’s submission to manage public benches in the seaside town.
- Knaresborough Town Council’s application to manage the town’s markets, storage facility and associated assets such as road closure signs.
If the go-ahead is given for full business cases to progress, the decision as to which bids become a reality will be taken by the executive following consultations with the relevant area committee on North Yorkshire Council.
The executive will meet next week to also discuss plans for a report to be prepared about allowing future expressions of interest from other town and parish councils. If agreed, a report is expected to be presented to the executive in January next year.
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