Latest news with #GarethDadd
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Major North Yorkshire projects at risk over funding pressures
Major projects in North Yorkshire could be cancelled if new funding cannot be found, a council has Yorkshire Council took over a number of schemes begun by the former district and borough councils in 2023 following its inception in with the authority forecasting an annual deficit of between £30m and £35m due to rising costs and government funding cuts it said it had to prioritise statutory services such as health, children and vulnerable the capital projects under threat are the relocation of Malton's Livestock Market and the redevelopment of Sherburn Town Centre. The council's deputy leader and executive member for finance and resources, Gareth Dadd, said the authority was looking at prioritising schemes which were not already under way."All those legacy projects that have been hoped for in years to come, quite frankly, they ain't going to be a priority financially when competing against some of the real deep moral issues that we're having to deal with."He said the it was right the council took a "fresh look" at these projects."It's about a business case coming forward and then making the cut against what is vitally important to this authority, but more importantly to the residents that we're trying to protect and serve." Loss of funding The plan to relocate Malton's Livestock Market will only move forward if it is still considered a priority after a business case considering all the funding options was work to Sherburn Town Centre is also at risk after delays resulted in the loss of the shared prosperity funding needed to complete a legacy scheme relating to the Wyvern Park Industrial Estate in Skipton could also be halted until a new business case and funding options are to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a report to the council's executive also stated the redevelopment of the former Argos Site and Market Place Regeneration Project, in Scarborough, has already been have also been warned several schemes already begun were at risk of costing more than planned and could overrun. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
North Yorkshire school transport funding change upheld after vote
Councillors have rejected calls to scrap changes to a new home-to-school transport funding Yorkshire Council voted last year to only pay for transport to a child's nearest school, rather than using school catchment areas as had previously councillors and parents had called for the policy change to be reversed, resulting in fresh vote on the issue at a meeting the motion was defeated by ten votes, with a council spokesperson later stating that pupils starting new schools in September would find out if they are eligible for free travel in the coming weeks. Ahead of the meeting councillors were met by a group of about 100 people protesting against the policy outside County Hall in Northallerton, according to the Local Democracy Reporting council had said it hoped the policy - due to come into effect in September - would deliver savings of up to £4.2m a campaigners argued the new system may actually cost money to implement, and was damaging to pupils, schools and rural communities. The council said home-to-school transport was one of its three largest areas of expenditure, alongside adult social care and waste management.A spokesperson added that the decision to change the policy was aimed at protecting frontline leader Gareth Dadd said the new policy was "fairer to all families, responsible and affordable"."Unfortunately, a more generous officer is not longer an option," he said."I would like to stress that parents and carers in North Yorkshire still have a choice as to where their send their children."It is important for them to factor in travel costs if they choose a school that is not the nearest to their home."However, one parent speaking after the meeting said she now faced having to pay about £800 a year for her daughter to attend the same school as her parent, Charlotte Fowler, said: "Shame on all those councillors who have let down North Yorkshire's children today."They had a chance to put things right and they blew it. By choosing to keep a broken system in place the council has left children isolated, parents burdened, and schools uncertain about their future."Families of children due to start secondary school in September will find out if their child is eligible for free school travel by 30 May and those due to start primary school will find out by 30 June, the council has confirmed. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Trust needs to find £10m to transform historic Richmond school
Trust needs to find £10m for historic school plan 9 minutes ago Share Save Joe Willis Local Democracy Reporting Service Share Save Joe Willis/LDR North Yorkshire Council has agreed to transfer the building to the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust A charitable trust needs to find £10m in funding to transform a former grammar school or the council will sell it on. Earlier this week, North Yorkshire Council gave the go-ahead for the Richmond Grammar School building to be transferred to Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust. In order to redevelop the site into a community facility, the trust needs to secure funding. Deputy council leader Gareth Dadd said the council was committed to working with the trust but it was "the last option for the site" and would be sold on if the project "did not progress". At a meeting of the council's executive on Tuesday, leaders were told the full redevelopment would cost almost £10m, although the building could be partly reopened with less money while the remainder of funds were sought. Approving the transfer of the building, Dadd said the decision was a "major milestone for Richmond and the surrounding area". He added: "The go-ahead to transfer the building to the trust fits into our vision for the whole county to bring opportunities and boost the local economy for our communities." However, councillors agreed that if sufficient funding was not found, the property - valued at £370,000 - would be sold off, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. North Yorkshire Council The former grammar school had pupils including the world-famous author Lewis Carroll The Grade II listed building was founded as a school in the 14th century with former pupils including Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll. A previous attempt to redevelop the site, which closed in 2011, failed after a rejected lottery funding bid. The trust's chief executive officer, Chris Brown, said the development would offer "exciting new experiences" for the area and pledged to explore "all avenues available" to raise the money. "We will now work tirelessly to bring to life the site for the benefit of Richmond and the wider region," he said. "We know people are eager to see the building restored to its former glory as it holds fond memories for many people in our community and is a famous site in Richmond." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Related Internet Links Local Democracy Reporting Service
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Conversion plans for former grammar school
A former grammar school in the Yorkshire Dales could become a community centre, under plans due to be considered by councillors. Richmond Grammar School, which was founded in the 14th Century, taught pupils including the author Lewis Carroll but closed in 2011. The Grade II listed building has been vacant since then, despite previous efforts to bring it back into community use. A proposal, drawn up by the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust, would see it become a centre for "cultural activities and digital enterprise". It would also focus on providing opportunities for young people, allowing them to access activities in their local area. North Yorkshire Council's executive will discuss a report on 6 May, which sets out plans to transfer the council-owned site to the preservation trust. Deputy council leader Gareth Dadd said: "This is an exciting opportunity to bring opportunities and experiences for local communities and visitors to Richmond that would normally only be seen in large towns and cities. "The proposals do have a strong focus on young people which would allow them to take up a host of new opportunities, bringing digital to the Dales. "It is a major ambition for us as a council to ensure that we can bring vitality and enterprise to our market towns." If approved, the preservation trust would launch a fundraising campaign to finance the development. However, Dadd added they were in the "last chance saloon" because the building would have to be sold if this project did not progress. The former grammar school site has a current market value of about £370,000. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. North Yorkshire Council
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Conversion plans for former Richmond Grammar School
A former grammar school in the Yorkshire Dales could become a community centre, under plans due to be considered by Grammar School, which was founded in the 14th Century, taught pupils including the author Lewis Carroll but closed in Grade II listed building has been vacant since then, despite previous efforts to bring it back into community use.A proposal, drawn up by the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust, would see it become a centre for "cultural activities and digital enterprise". It would also focus on providing opportunities for young people, allowing them to access activities in their local Yorkshire Council's executive will discuss a report on 6 May, which sets out plans to transfer the council-owned site to the preservation trust. 'Last chance saloon' Deputy council leader Gareth Dadd said: "This is an exciting opportunity to bring opportunities and experiences for local communities and visitors to Richmond that would normally only be seen in large towns and cities."The proposals do have a strong focus on young people which would allow them to take up a host of new opportunities, bringing digital to the Dales. "It is a major ambition for us as a council to ensure that we can bring vitality and enterprise to our market towns."If approved, the preservation trust would launch a fundraising campaign to finance the Dadd added they were in the "last chance saloon" because the building would have to be sold if this project did not former grammar school site has a current market value of about £370,000. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
