Northern Parish Forum

1. Colin Williamson, as Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies
3. Notes of the meeting held on 3 October 2023 were agreed.
4. Matters arising: any queries for Highways can be forwarded via the Authority. A discussion was held on the use of the portal to report potholes (dangerous potholes classed as 40mm depth x 300mm width), but orders can take up to 3 months.
5. Community Earth Project question: How many times have Parish Councils asked Elspeth Ingleby for advice before/after her presentation to the Forum. What will be the impact on nature recovery of their new duty to conserve/enhance biodiversity?

   Response: Contact has been twice before the presentation on verge management. All public authorities in England must consider what they can to conserve/enhance biodiversity. The NYMNPA is available to offer any advice to Parish Councils and should contact e.ingleby@northyorkmoors.org.uk for this.

   Download the ecology presentation

6. Revival North Yorkshire – Debbie Swales, Director, gave an illustrated presentation on the work of Revival North Yorkshire and asked for any volunteers who can help. More information can be found on the Revival North Yorkshire website.

7. Danby Lodge Update and Car Park Strategy – Lucas St John gave a presentation on the new play area construction taking place at Danby Lodge discussion on linking Danby station with signage for paths. The work on car parks highlighting Newton under Roseberry, EV charging (use of solar). Discussions were held relating to the use of Blue Bank car park by motorhomes and problems with littering. The Authority is hoping to improve the car park within the limits of a SSSI with permanent signage, more warden patrols and introducing charging but this will not be until next year due to workloads.
8. Design Code – Paul Fellows presented on the consultation for the new Design Code for the North York Moors with a video clip of one of the NYM villages – more clips to be placed on the website. There will be drop-in sessions, attendance at Parish Council meetings on request and other ways of contributing to the consultation. Ways will be considered to include those not comfortable with the use of technology and taking in to account age demographic.
9. Members of the Forum were provided with a printed Authority update. Colin Williamson updated on the following:
   • Linking Levisham Project – visit by Kevin Hollinrake MP
   • Esk Valley REconnect project
   • Levisham landslip monitoring
   • Importance of Health and Safety policy, training and risk assessments for the Authority
   • New playground at Danby Lodge
   • Authority headquarters building and rangers depot no longer fit for purpose and in poor condition – a new build is being developed to serve the Authority requirements for the future at a lower cost than repair of existing premises.
   • Defra core grant £4.3million – Authority has a budget in excess of £14million due to successes in gaining external funding for projects. An additional £500k has been allocated to each National Park from Defra.

10. Any suggestions for new items to discuss at future meetings to be emailed to j.seaton@northyorkmoors.org.uk

11. There was no other business.