General Communications  

Let’s Talk Skills is part of our series of Let’s Talk conversations with you. The conversations are part of our continued commitment to listen to people who live and work in North Yorkshire. We want to hear from you! Please fill in the online survey here www.northyorks.gov.uk/letstalk

We want your input on the training and skills development opportunities North Yorkshire needs.

Whether it’s supporting school leavers or those nearing retirement, offering a fresh start for those stepping onto the career ladder, or providing the tools needed to care for others, your insight helps us ensure that all residents of any age can access lifelong learning.

Understanding what’s important to you means that we can develop a curriculum that reflects the skills needed to ensure North Yorkshire is the best it can be.

This survey takes just a few minutes to complete and draws on your experiences with learning, any challenges you’ve encountered, and your vision for the future of skills in North Yorkshire.

There are several ways you can take part in Let’s Talk Skills:

You can fill in an online survey here www.northyorks.gov.uk/letstalk – the survey is on Commonplace, which is a safe and easy-to-use online tool used to engage with communities, by over 250 organisations including neighbouring councils in Leeds and West Yorkshire. 

If you would prefer, you can pick up a paper copy from your local library or main local office and return it in the envelope provided.

You can also email letstalk@northyorks.gov.uk or call 0300 131 2 131 (please say ‘Let’s Talk’ when prompted) to request a survey.

You can write to:

Let’s Talk

North Yorkshire Council

County Hall

Northallerton

DL7 8AD

Accessible formats of the survey are available on request. Please share your views with us and encourage your colleagues, friends and family to do the same. The survey closes on 9 June 2025.

Residents can now pay for their licence for the 2025 garden waste season.

A licence costs £49 for collections between March and early December. This provides a cost-effective way for residents to dispose of garden waste. 

The licence covers one 240-litre wheelie bin to be emptied fortnightly. Anyone who wishes to have more than one bin emptied will need to pay for a licence for each additional bin. Residents can also pay for a licence at any time throughout the season but are encouraged to do so before the start of the service in March as the cost will remain the same.

Once paid, a licence pack should arrive within 14 days.

For more information about the garden waste service, including terms and conditions, and collection dates, please visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/garden-waste .

We’ve heard from the National Trust, who are delighted to announce that the new path, extending from the existing path along the River towards Hubberholme, will be open with effect from Friday 20th December.

There will be a more formal opening in January, but the path can be used from this weekend, just in time for that Christmas season stroll.

Enjoy.

David Skaith, the Mayor for York and North Yorkshire, is asking for the public’s views before he sets the amount that goes to North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service from York and North Yorkshire’s council tax bill. Please take a few moments and share your views with him at www.YourPoliceAndFire.com

If you require the survey in an alternative format, please contact the Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning by email: info@northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk or calling 01423 569 562.

North Yorkshire Council is now in the second year of providing many of your local services, from rubbish collection and recycling, public health, social care and education, roads, transport and leisure services as well as support for businesses. The council has brought together the services previously provided by eight councils into one, but there is still a significant task ahead as they continue to transform services now and in the years to come.

The council remains passionate about providing value for money services, and improving outcomes for local people, businesses and communities across North Yorkshire. But, like all councils, and many of you, they are facing major financial challenges. They are also experiencing ongoing increases in demand for services like adult social care and children and young people with special educational needs.

The council spends about £1.3 billion every year delivering local services to people and businesses. These include:

·      The collection of around 310,000 tonnes of waste from more than 300,000 properties. 45 per cent is reused, recycled or composted.

·      Maintaining over 9,250 kilometres of highways and with direct responsibility for nearly 7000 kilometres of public rights of way, and over 1,645 bridges.

·      Managing and maintaining 8,300 council houses

·      Processing over 50,000 housing benefit changes every year.

·      Providing 15,700 children and young people with special educational needs support

·      Providing 26 Leisure venues, including 18 with swimming pools

·      And supporting more than 3,300 children and young people via our children and families service

The council wants to hear from you about what is important to you and how you think they should spend the money available.

There are several ways you can take part in Let’s Talk Money:

You can fill in an online survey here https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/LetsTalk

If you would prefer, you can pick up a paper copy from your local library or main local office and return it in the envelope provided.

You can also email letstalk@northyorks.gov.uk  or call 0300 131 2 131 (please say ‘Let’s Talk’ when prompted) to request a survey.

You can write to:

Let’s Talk

North Yorkshire Council

County Hall

Northallerton

DL7 8AD

Accessible formats of the survey are available on request. Please share your views with the council and encourage your colleagues, friends and family to do the same. The survey closes on 9 December 2024.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is hosting a training event on Dark Sky Reserve Lighting in the Yorkshire Dales. The event focuses on best practices for minimising light pollution, particularly aimed at local businesses, tradespeople, landowners and holiday accommodation providers within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The presentation will focus on the importance of proper lighting practices to minimise light pollution in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the benefits this has on our dark skies, wildlife, ecosystems and human health.

This is an informal, FREE event which will take place on:

Date: Monday, 11 November 2024

Time:  5.30 - 7pm

Location: Yoredale, Bainbridge, DL8 3EL

For more information and to sign up to attend, please click the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shining-a-light-on-the-yorkshire-dales-dark-sky-reserve-tickets-950744912627