Last week councillors voted to defer a decision to sell council owned land to a local company - Bentleys. In an awe inspiring display of prevarication and fence-sitting after 2 earlier policy committee decisions to sell the land - members decided that sitting on a decision for another 3 months was the best way forward(ie the preferred approach to making a difficult decision is not to make one at all). I am well aware of reports on this issue that might have, should have, been read - they were available for all. I was certainly well briefed and ready to make an informed decision on the night.

Decisions already taken are outlined below -

Council Meeting of 22^nd January, 2008, the Council:

 Resolved – That the recommendations in the following minutes are confirmedMinute POL.75 (Relocation of Successful Local Business – Land at Gargrave Road, Skipton) – Recommendation (2) to read as amended below:“That the Council agrees in principle to Option 1, subject to suitable restrictions because of concerns that ad hoc development will cause problems with the infrastructure; that the motion is deferred until the Gargrave Road Task Group and the consultants to be employed have had time to consider the full effect of developing the area and how it relates to the forthcoming Local Development Framework; and that a report back is made to the Council Meeting on 15^th April’.” 

Policy Committee recommendation of 19^th December 2007 which stated:

 “RESOLVED – (1) That the offer made by J N Bentley’s Ltd. for the field OS 5707, Gargrave Road, Skipton is noted.” 

“RECOMMENDED – (2)That field OS 5707, Gargrave Road, Skipton is disposed of to J N Bentley Ltd., subject to the Council at least achieving the market valuation for the land as set out in the Valuation Report at Appendix C to the Director of Community Services’ report (exempt from publication) and planning permission being obtained.”

Even with a full study and the following conclusion was arrived at - 

With overwhelming evidence to support the land sale it seemed the need to make a difficult but important decision was shelved for politically expendient reasons - why make an unpopular decision when it is election time? Bending over backwards to get a few votes from nimbys is ducking the issue. I am certain that those same councillors would not think twice about voting for this in snaygill or south craven - to move the problem where it will not lose them votes or upset the “preserved in aspic” brigade. Skipton is a vibrant and growing town it needs to prosper - to provide employment for not only the next generation but others to come. There was no real reason to delay this decision. Lets hope that this does not backfire on us and this district loses yet another major business and employer.

Rumours about the cessation of another local bus route have reached me. There are to be changes to some routes in South Craven that will come into force on April 28th. The utilisation of community transport to fulfil routes that were dropped by commercially run Keighley and District will be good news for South Craven villages that are now missed out by the express A629 route between Keighley and Skipton. It will be a service that is very different to what we are used to but it will be better than the service provided before  - more flexible and better suited to the villages of Aire Valley. There is more to come, I am negotiating with the operator to put an extended service for 1 or 2 hours after the school run (16:00 - 18:00) every day monday - saturday. This will be announced when all partners have agreed costs and details.

In the meantime here are details of the new service…

South Craven Village Bus The South Craven Village Bus replaces the current journeys run between 0900 and 1500 by Keighley and District from Monday 28th April 2008. 

How will the South Craven Village Bus run? The South Craven Village Bus will be run as a demand responsive Community Transport service operated by Little Red Bus.  

What is a demand responsive service It is a service where the journeys are only operated  as needed and therefore travel has to be pre-booked. The route and times of journeys will vary according to the journeys booked by passengers and the need to bring together a group of passengers.  

Where can you travel on the Village Bus The area has been split into two zones, Zone 1 covering Lothersdale and Zone 2 covering Farnhill and KIldwick. Please see map over for details of area. You can travel wholly within a zone, between the zone and a connecting point in Croshills for the local bus services to Keighley and Skipton. Some journeys can be run through to Skipton Bus Station or Rail Station. 

 When does the South Craven Village Bus run? Journeys can be made between 0930 and 1500 on a Monday to Saturday.   

 The Booking Arrangements As a Demand Responsive Service passengers must pre-book their travel and to make your bookings contact Craven Voluntary Transport on 01756 701045 between 0800 and 1700  Please remember that journeys are provided on a first come first served basis so it is better if passengers book a day or two before they wish to travel. 

Timed journeys These times are a guide to help passengers to book their journeys. The times are not fixed and can be varied but must start and finish within the time that the Village Bus runs. 

Lothersdale Zone 0945 Lothersdale to Skipton and to make connections with bus to Keighley at 1010 from Crosshills1125 Skipton and Lothersdale and connection with bus from Keighley departing at 1120 in Crosshills 

Farnhill & Kildwick zone 0915 Farnhill and Kildwick to Crosshills for connections to Keighley and Skipton.1135 Farnhill and Kildwick to Crosshills for connections to Keighley and Skipton.1445 Farnhill and Kildwick to Crosshills for connections to Keighley and Skipton. 1000 Crosshills to Kildwick and Farnhill1220 Crosshills to Kildwick and Farnhill with connections from Keighley and Skipton. 1005 and 1225 Kildwick and Farnhill to Skipton 1125 and 1435 Skipton to Farnhill and Kildwick 

Concessionary Travel As a Community Transport service the South Craven Village Bus does not fall within the Concessionary Travel scheme. Passengers who hold a concessionary pass issued by Craven District Council can travel free. Please advise at the time of booking and you must present your pass to the driver when travelling. 

Another scam uncovered by NYCC trading standards department -

North Yorkshire County Council Trading Standards and Regulatory Services are warning business to be aware of companies’ cold telephone calling.

It  was brought to my attention recently that there were issues over bus operator Burnley and Pendle not accepting free passes from Cowling residents on the 08:55 Colne to Skipton(3 people turned off the bus this week).

Craven District Council assured me that the concessionary passes should be honoured. Any bus driver on this route who might be reading this - you really should be accepting these passes. Not to do so is wrong and just plain mean spirited.

Craven will ensure that this mix up will not happen again. Lets hope this will be the last time this issue is raised again. Life’s tough enough without having to fight and argue for what you are entitled to!

I was recently interviewed by Drystone Radio(a direct consequence of this website). Drystone Radio is a non for profit organisation which broadcasts regularly to the dales with the aim of providing a voice for this community.
David and his team made me feel welcome and skilfully teased out views/opinions in the interview, they took my 15 minutes rambling and made me sound erudite and articulate - quite a feat!

If you would like to listen to some quality radio with a local slant and tackling local issues I suggest you give it a listen. 

The study has reached consultation stage and residents will shortly receive the list of schemes and the option to rate them. For those people in Cononley, Farnhill and Kildwick there are two schemes that would benefit them and it is vital that the response forms are returned.  If you want these schemes to be approved please lodge your views with the consultation team.

1.  Provision of a footway link along Cononley Road

2.  Re-siting of bus stops on the A629