The Skipton and Ripon Area Committee met to discuss a range of issues affecting the local area, including the Nidderdale National Landscape Management Plan, strategic parking principles, and the council's Destination Management Plan. Councillor Richard Foster was appointed Chair of the Area Committee for the remainder of 2025/26. Members also reviewed and updated the committee's work programme.

Appointment of Chair

Following the resignation of the current chair, Councillor Richard Foster, Executive Member for Managing our Environment, was appointed Chair of the Area Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year.

Nidderdale National Landscape Management Plan

The committee was provided with an overview of the Nidderdale National Landscape Management Plan review. The Nidderdale National Landscape, covering 601 km² in the foothills of the Pennines, is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The primary purpose of this designation is to conserve and enhance the area's natural beauty. The draft 2025-2030 plan sets out a vision and objectives for managing the area, grouped into six themes: climate change, nature recovery, living and working, understanding and enjoyment, heritage and historic environment, and landscape.

The report before the committee noted that:

Reviewing the Nidderdale National Landscape Management Plan is a statutory requirement. The draft 2025-2030 Plan has been developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders and through an early initial public consultation, and a formal public consultation on the draft Plan is currently underway. The Plan sets out a vision and a series of objectives which will help to conserve and enhance Nidderdale National Landscape.

The committee was asked to support the plan for approval and adoption by the council following the completion of the public consultation.

Strategic Parking Principles

The committee were informed of a review of car parking provision in North Yorkshire. The review's key themes and principles were summarised as:

• Sustainable and Attractive Places: High-quality, user-friendly, and value-for-money parking; local adaptation within a consistent framework; managing congestion and air quality through parking strategy; supporting electric vehicles with charging infrastructure; and reviewing and streamlining Controlled Parking Zones.
• Supporting the Economy: Supporting town centre vitality and tourism; reviewing parking incentives for fairness and effectiveness; and strategically using parking assets for broader council goals.
• Delivering Good-Quality Service: Catering to diverse user needs; rebalancing and annually reviewing tariffs; standardising payment methods; managing Blue Badge parking based on need; enforcing compliance and collaborating with partners; and addressing parking for motorcycles, motorhomes, coaches, and HGVs.
• Financial Sustainability: Ensuring parking covers operational and capital costs and using value-based pricing where appropriate.

Destination Management Plan

The committee considered a presentation providing further details in respect of the council's Destination Management Plan 2024-2034. The plan aims to manage all aspects of a destination that contribute to a visitor's experience, taking account of the needs of visitors, local residents, businesses, and the environment.

The plan identifies key strengths in North Yorkshire's visitor economy, including the great outdoors, food and drink, history and heritage, glorious gardens, culture and the arts, family fun, screen tourism, and indulgence, health and wellbeing.

The plan sets growth targets for the value of the visitor economy and the percentage of overnight visitors by 2034. It also identifies key markets, including country-loving traditionalists, fun in the sun seekers, aspirational family fun seekers, and free and easy mini-breakers.

The plan outlines five priority areas: data and intelligence, place, people, product, and position and profile.

Committee Work Programme

Members reviewed and updated the committee's work programme, adding items for future discussion.