Whitby Community Network CIC

Public Meeting : Monday 17^th February 2025

“Sustainable Tourism / Cook Tricentennary”

Agenda

• Introduction / Update
• Sustainable Tourism Intro
• “Preserving Heritage, Economy and Environment, Cook Tricentennial Celebration” : Clair Stones, Chair of Management Committee at Captain Cook Memorial Museum.
• “Whitby & District Tourism Association” : Ivor Greer, Chair WDTA
• Updates : Neighbourhood Plan, Education, Town Deal, Harbour
• AOB

Consultations

• Changes to motorhome parking (Experimental Traffic Regulation Order) consultation (Sandsend Road). Open until approx May 2025.
• Licensing Policy for Wheelchair Taxis & Private Hire Vehicles consultation. Open until 30^th April.
• Dog Control Order consultation (Tate Hill beach). Open until 17^th March.
• Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2025. Open until 2^nd March.

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Sustainable Tourism

“The aim of sustainable tourism is to increase the benefits and to reduce the negative impacts caused by tourism”

Sustainable Tourism : Major Challenges

• Preserving natural and cultural resources
• Limiting negative impacts at tourist destinations, use of natural resources/waste production
• Promoting the wellbeing of the local community
• Reducing the seasonality of demand
• Limiting the environmental impact of tourism-related transport
• Making tourism accessible to all
• Improving the quality of tourism jobs

Sustainable Tourism : Action

• Take a holistic, integrated approach
• Plan for the long term
• Adopt an appropriate pace of development
• Involve all stakeholders
• Use the best available knowledge
• Minimise and manage risk
• Reflect impacts in costs
• Set and respect limits
• Practise continuous monitoring

“Preserving Heritage, Economy and Environment, Tricentennial Celebration”

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Clair Stones

Chair of Management Committee at Captain Cook Memorial Museum

How Do We Pay For This?

• Business Improvement District eg Ilkley BID
• City visitor charge (£1/night) via DBID scheme e.g. Manchester
• Visitor Levy on overnight stays (added onto accommodation charge) e.g. Edinburgh, not yet approved for England
• VAT surcharge

Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID)

• Support the local economy
• Improve facilities for the business community
• Boost  visitor numbers
• Raise the overall profile/appeal of the Town as a  great place to live, work and do business.

Marketing & promotion of the town

• Vibrant destination for both locals & visitors
• Discover Ilkley platform - one-stop shop
• Supporting and promoting existing events
• Building strategic partnerships to established  new events

Keeping Ilkley Clean And Attractive

• Keep Ilkley town centre clean and attractive
• Provide a more extensive and festive Christmas atmosphere
• Contribute to initiatives that beautify the town.

Supporting businesses

• Support the businesses within the town centre
• Advocate their interests to LA/organisations
• Initiatives eg town-wide anti-crime radio/app scheme
• Explore cost-saving schemes for overheads
• Promote Ilkley Gift Card scheme
• Free public Wi-Fi encourages visitors to stay longer

Funding from Y&NY Combined Authority

• Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund: rejuvenate and reanimate high streets 
• Carbon Negative Challenge Fund: support the development and  delivery of projects to help Y&NY become  England’s first carbon negative region.
• Adult Skills Fund: engage adults, provide skills to enter workplace

Updates

• Neighbourhood Plan
• Education
• Town Deal Projects
• Harbour

Whitby Neighbourhood Plan : What is it ?

Planning policy document to guide future development over the next 15-20 years.

Sets out planning policies for the area, and can:

• Bring forward housing that genuinely meets local needs.
• Protect local green spaces.
• Encourage better designed places.
• Protect important heritage assets.
• Support businesses and employment.
• Improve infrastructure.
• Specify parking provision.

Whitby Neighbourhood Plan : Next Steps?

• Design Code : draft received, and comments fed back.
• Survey of Retail / Hospitality : in progress.
• Housing Needs Survey of residents : soon.
• Walk-In Sessions :
• Mon 24^th Feb : Whitby School (staff / pupils)
• Thu 27^th Feb, 10am–1pm : Marton Court Centre
• Fri 28^th Feb, 11am–1pm : Green Lane Centre
• Fri 7^th Mar, 8am–1pm : Eastside Centre
• Sat 8^th Mar, 10:15am-12:30pm : Whitby Leisure Centre

Update : Education

• Meeting held with School Management Committee
• Continue partnership to establish successful school with support of local community.
• School working hard to improve standards
• Investigating academisation but no decision as yet
• School to prepare options for consideration by Governing Body.
• Stakeholders/wider community will be encouraged to be involved
• Significant capital investment required to develop secondary education in Whitby on one site.
• Next WCN Meeting : “Education & Skills Training”

Update : Town Deal

• Old Town Hall
• Work starting now. Market moved to Dock End.
• Maritime Hub
• Decision passed. Work expected to start soon.
• Operation to need subsidy, or to have to pass costs on to tenants.
• Town Centre Pedestrianisation
• Decision expected 28/02/25, funding shortfall needs to be met
• Spital Bridge/New Bridge traffic light installation expected Mar 25
• Broomfield Farm Project
• Brierley Homes (NYC) planning application submitted for 49 affordable homes.

WCN Public Meetings

Next Public Meeting : 17^th March

“The Future of Education & Skills Training in Whitby & District”

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Future Meetings: 28^th April

“Health & Social Care in Whitby & District”

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Any Other Business

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Whitby Town Assembly

19^th March 6:30pm

Location to be defined.

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

Website: https://whitbycommunitynetwork.org

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