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Public Meeting : Monday 20th April 2026

“Local Issues”

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Agenda

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  • Introduction & Updates
  • Local Issues
  • Any Other Business
  • Next Meeting

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Open Consultations

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North Yorkshire Council:

see https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/consultations-and-engagement

  • Parks & Open Space Satisfaction Survey – how do people use parks and open spaces and what could be improved? Note : only gives the option of “Pannett Park” in Whitby!!!

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�����— �Andy

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  • From 27 April 2026 - Registration opens online only, required to use any household waste recycling centre. Free, lasts 3 Years

see https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste/bins-recycling-and-waste/household-waste-recycling-centres

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Open Consultations

YNYCA Strategy for a Sustainable Future | Public Consultation

  • What are the barriers to sustainable technology in your home?
  • Should electricity be generated locally/ community owned?
  • Do you want a healthier and more connected community?
  • Do you want to see reduction in waste, more resource sharing?
  • Do you want to improve wellbeing through community biodiversity, nature, and food growing?
  • Do you run a business/want to reduce your impact on the environment while cutting costs?
  • Should we future-proof against impacts of climate change?

Just some of the issues, please take part - closes 10th June 2026.

https://yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/strategy-for-a-sustainable-future-public-consultation/�����

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Update from March’s meeting with Fire & Rescue Service

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NYFRS supplied link to Online public Meeting 18/09/2025

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Intro: Cover one of the largest (3209 sq. miles) areas of the ‘predominately rural fire and rescue services’ defined by DEFRA, have similar number of fire stations to other predominately rural services with much smaller areas.

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Incidents Summary 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025

Overall count of incidents attended increased by 16% on previous year

Fire incidents have increased by 81% on previous year.

‘Small fire incidents in the open’ has seen a significant increase - 123%

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Local Issues

New local on-line Newspaper “The Whitby Anchor”

Introduction by Emma Ryan & Ceri Oakes

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Annual Whitby Town Assembly 2026 � Invitation to Whitby Residents

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Date: Wednesday 22nd April 2026

Time: 6.30pm

Venue: Coliseum Centre, Whitby

  • Statutory meeting of local government electors
  • Important opportunity for residents to meet to discuss matters affecting the town and to raise issues of local interest.

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AGENDA

1. Review notes of the previous Annual Town Assembly 21/05/2025.

2. To discuss matters in connection to the town.

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Update : NYC Draft Harbour’s Strategy Consultation

  • Governance structure first needs URGENT revision to comply with DfT’s Ports Good Governance Guidance

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  • Scarborough and Whitby are v. different harbours - different SWOTs – need separate Strategic Plans

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  • Need Harbour Revision Orders ASAP for both harbours

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  • Whitby Harbour strategy MUST include consultation with the NYMNPA and Marine Management Organisation

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  • All user groups MUST include local residents, businesses, tourism, etc. NOT just harbour users

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Above all

  • TOTAL LACK OF EFFECTIVE CONSULTATION

NO investment before 2032-2040 in Piers & Extensions

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Update : Secondary Education

  • Cllr. Annabel Wilkinson, NYC responded - policies in place for handling vacant school buildings/home to school transport
  • Meeting with Emma Ryan, reporter, article being prepared re: Eskdale school etc
  • DfE responded “NYC is the responsible body for Whitby School, is accountable for the school, including driving school improvement”
  • Wonder Learning contract ends July 26, concerned NYC will hand over to DELTA for academisation. Announcement expected!
  • B. McGovern’s letter to YP re: secondary school – published 07/04/26
  • MP secured funding for SEND, details unknown & calling for SENDS parents to speak to her.

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Education

Sunday Times School

League tables 2026

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Update : Whitby Town Deal

  • Maritime Hub : Aiming to finish by end of April 2026. No news on tenants.
  • “Public Realm” Pedestrianisation : Spital Bridge queues being monitored. Still creating “concept designs” of pedestrianisation with view to consultation, then start work end of 2026 to be complete by March 2027.
  • Old Town Hall : columns with structural damage having work planned. Aiming to complete by end of May 2026. Usage for Old Town Hall still unknown.
  • Broomfield Housing : awaiting exchange of contracts, to start building of 49 “affordable” (shared ownership + social housing - Broadacres).

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Whitby Town Investment Plan : Scope

  • Y&NY Combined Authority funding 32 “Town Investment Plans” (TIP).
  • Aimed to identify main problems, and key opportunities for when funding becomes available.
  • Whitby public consultation during Oct 2025 – Jan 2026.
  • Series of Stakeholder meetings to push forward the plan.
  • Stakeholders invited : NYC councillors, WCN, Pannett Art Gallery, Lobster Hatchery, Parkol, Woodsmith, AngloAmerican, FlashArts, RNLI, WADT, Ryedale Carers.
  • Session 2 was 7 NYC / Y&NY staff + 2 NYC councillors, with representatives of WCN, Pannett Art Gallery, FlashArts, Woodsmith, and 1 other.

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Whitby Town Investment Plan : Project Ideas

  • Around 55 ideas raised during public consultation.
  • Each idea had an initial evaluation whether it would be deliverable in 10-year period, whether it met the guidelines for a Town Investment Plan, etc – some ruled out.
  • Resulted in around 50 “projects” on long list.
  • Projects then ranked on : strategic fit, community fit, economic impact, social well-being, climate change impact, deliverability, value for money, and legacy of project.

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Whitby Town Investment Plan : Themes

Placemaking

Focus on high‐quality, inclusive public spaces / built environment through targeted town centre regeneration and affordable housing.

Economy

Build more diverse / resilient local economy by expanding start-up space, improving digital inclusion, enhancing skills provision, and support growth in the maritime sector.

Environment

Accelerate town transition to low carbon, “climate resilient” town through renewable energy projects, building retrofit, and restoration / enhancement of green / blue spaces, including vital habitats.

Health and Wellbeing

Enable healthier, more active lifestyles by developing new activity facilities and improving access to health services and community support.

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Whitby Town Investment Plan : Projects

  • Top 10 presented by NYC : “Affordable Housing”, “Town Centre Regeneration”, “Maritime Skills”, “Digital Inclusion”, “Baxtergate Regeneration”, “Youth / Adult Skills”, “Green / Blue Spaces”, “Improve Health Services”, “Renewable Energy”, “West Cliff Activity Hub”, “Start-Ups / Units”.
  • Subject to change due to feedback on project content, and ranking – e.g walking / wheeling / cycling infrastructure incorrectly ranked down.
  • All “long list” projects will be available for funding, whilst Top 10 will be prioritised.
  • Expecting draft TIP document in next month, and public consultation this summer.

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YNYCAVibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund

Phase 2: Flowergate & Beyond - Whitby’s Artisan Quarter Whitby’s - The Great Exhibition, Flash Company Arts CIC, Grant Awarded: £149,000

  • 35 original artworks displayed in local shops April - 4th May on Flowergate, Skinner Street and Silver Street

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Phase 3: Whitby Winter Event Expansion – Baxtergate & Beyond Psst! Marketing Ltd, Grant awarded £89,353, April 2026

  • Bringing local pride in the high street back to Whitby town centre and expanding the positive impact of Whitby Christmas Festivals into the winter season.

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Supported by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, part-funded by YNYCA

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Friends of the Lake District’s Campaign�“Fairer Housing, Stronger Communities”

Aims to support local communities by reducing the amount of empty/under-used homes, & increasing number of primary houses.

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Sign petition & monitor updates:

https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/news/fairer-housing-petition/

Fairer Housing Stronger Communities Campaign Explained - Friends of the Lake District

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Friends of the Lake District’s Campaign�“Fairer Housing, Stronger Communities”

Campaign goals:

  • New planning rules for second homes and holiday lets
  • A mandatory national register for short‑term lets
  • A licensing system for short term holiday lets
  • Holiday lets to pay council tax, not business rates

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Update : NYC Issues

NYC Executive Meeting 17 March 2026:

  • Cliff Lift – agreed to obtain detailed report into costs for bringing back into use.
  • ETRO prohibiting overnight motor caravan parking at Sandsend & Scarborough – to be made permanent.

NYC Executive Meeting on 12 May 2026 to discuss

  • Draft Harbour Strategy: decision deferred until 21st April Exec meeting

NYC Area Committee Extraordinary Meeting:

  • Scarborough Bathing Water Quality: WCN queried water quality at Whitby

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Whitby Community Network : 10-year strategy

  • What are the most pressing issues to campaign on?
  • How do we do this and with which partners?

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Any Other Business

  • Whitby Town of Culture: Town of Culture bid submitted.

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  • Cook 300: C.Stones held meetings with:
  • Australia re Endeavour but press embargo in place. Possible announcement in September when Sydney hosts the International Maritime Museum Conference.
  • Met with reps at Marton, Great Ayton, Staithes re Cook 300

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Next WCN Public Meeting

Monday 18th May 2026

Topic: to be confirmed

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Whitby Community Network CIC�“Campaigning on the problems facing Whitby & District”

Keep in touch

Website: https://whitbycommunitynetwork.org

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