Big decisions coming in near future for Scarborough Borough Council
There are some big decisions coming in the near future for Scarborough Borough Council.
There are some big decisions coming in the near future for Scarborough Borough Council.
For the borough authority its 2021 to do list is very similar to how its calendar for 2020 looked as Covid-19 realigned the priorities of councils across the country and Scarborough was no different.
Many of the big decisions that had been earmarked for 2020 remain up in the air.
Here are some of the things to look out for in 2021 from Scarborough Borough Council.
For this list, the response to the pandemic has not been included but it will impact on every move and decision made by the authority for years to come.
Devolution/Local Government Reorganisation
This is not a decision Scarborough Council will make but, instead, one that will be made for it.
Next year, the Government will decide on its plan for Local Government Reorganisation for North Yorkshire. The choices are one council covering North Yorkshire and one covering York or the one favoured by Scarborough Council, with the county split in half into East and West. That would place Scarborough, Ryedale, York and Selby in one half with Harrogate, Craven, Richmondshire and Hambleton in the other. Whatever happens Scarborough Council will cease to exist in its current form, possibly as soon as mid-2022.
Argos development and Market Square
The council-backed £22 million plan to demolish the former Argos building in Newborough and replace it with retail units and 200 flats for students and NHS trainees will come before planning.
A separate scheme to demolish three buildings opposite Scarborough Market will also go before planners in 2021, with both schemes attracting criticism.
Scarborough Civic Society referred to the plans for the Argos building as “replacing one over-sized eyesore with another”.
Some councillors have also expressed concerns about the authority borrowing the money to fund the scheme during the pandemic.
Scarborough Museums Trust and Creative Industries Centre – merger proposals
The museums trust, which runs Scarborough Art Gallery and the Rotunda Museum and CIC, which manages the Woodend Creative Centre in The Crescent, are proposing to merge.
An update on the process, delayed from 2019, on the “aims of the two organisations, challenges faced and overview of options going forward including value for money and the proposed merger” is set to come in the new year.
The Sands Development
The former indoor pool has been closed since 2017 following the opening of the sports village at Weaponness. It forms part of the Sands North Bay development and £500,000 has been earmarked for its demolition.
Earlier this month, the council was told that its deal for the proposed cinema complex on the former Atlantis waterpark site with developer Benchmark Leisure Limited will be allowed to expire on December 31.
A new plan is now being drawn up for the North Bay though Benchmark has launched a legal challenge against the move.
The new vision for the North Bay will be coming this year.
Futurist redevelopment proposals
The decision to demolish the theatre at a cost of more than £4m was one of the most hotly debated decisions taken by the authority in years.
Now, attention will turn to what will happen to Flamingo Land’s plan to create a coastal attraction with a rollercoaster and a 60ft “cliffhanger” tower.
The plan divided opinion in the town with some welcoming the investment and others saying it will detract from Scarborough’s visual appeal. A new vision for the site was released in July by Scarborough Council which seemed to spell the end of Flamingo Land’s proposals for the site and an update on what will happen next is expected in 2021.
Review of Members’ Allowances
The much-delayed review of how much councillors can claim in allowances is set to be discussed in the new year.
The Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) carried out a review before the 2019 elections but the report was shelved when the Labour and Independent administration came into power.
At present, the council leader can claim an allowance of £16,488.48, cabinet members get £8,244.24, group leaders (if the party makes up 10% of the total number of councillors) can claim £6,183.24 and councillors who do not chair any committees get £4,122.12. Travel expenses can also be claimed.
Restoration of South Cliff Gardens NLHF Project – appointment of contractor
Work of a £7 million scheme to restore the historic gardens to their former glory is primed to get underway.
The South Cliff Gardens project is being funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Big Lottery Fund, Scarborough Council and the South Cliff Gardens Group.
The gardens include 14 timber and concrete shelters, believed to be the largest number of historic shelters in any public garden in the country and feature 19th Century Egyptian gates, Italian steps designed by Joseph Paxton, iconic Italian gardens, Holbeck Clock Tower, the world’s first beach chalets, rose garden and the much-loved Clock Café.
A contractor to begin the work will be appointed next year.