Here is your quick guide to what is happening in your council and the news you might have missed.

Council meetings

Your councillors meet regularly to consider local issues and plans, countywide policy and much more. Find details of all meetings. Where possible, meetings are streamed live. Watch live meetings.

New deal increases support to visitor economy

Tourism businesses in York and North Yorkshire will receive more support with a new vision to help to ensure that the multi-billion pound visitor economy reaches its potential.

A successful bid for a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for both York and North Yorkshire paves the way for a far more co-ordinated and strategic approach to promoting the tourism sector. LVEPs have the potential to draw in additional funding from Westminster.

It is hoped the partnership will ensure the greatest benefits are achieved for both York and North Yorkshire’s visitor economy. Tourism is worth more than £3.2 billion a year in the area, and more than 60,000 people work in the sector.

Have your say on our budget priorities

We are asking you to give us your views on our budget priorities in our Let’s Talk Money survey.

North Yorkshire Council, which now provides all local council services, from rubbish collection to public health and education, transport and leisure, is barely six months old, but already we are creating major plans to bring long-term benefits to the county.

We are preparing our budget for 2024/25 and are encouraging you to have a say on our priorities.  We have already developed a strong economic strategy to drive growth and improve opportunities.With City of York Council, we have secured a devolution deal, which, subject to final approval by Parliament, will drive regeneration and investment.

However, we do not underestimate the financial challenges created by the cost of living crisis, high inflation and huge demand for services. Have your say on how our budget should be spent. Complete the Let’s Talk Money survey by 18 December.

Changes to household waste recycling centres

We have a legal duty to provide household waste recycling centres for residents to dispose of any additional household waste, free of charge.

We provide 20 household waste recycling centres, plus mobile sites, across North Yorkshire. This service, including the disposal of the waste delivered, costs more than £5 million a year. To help address increasing costs and improve the service we provide, we are looking at various options for our household waste recycling centres.

Therefore, we are asking residents to share their views about changes to the following services:

• Restricting the use of the household waste recycling centres to North Yorkshire residents only.
• Limiting the access for commercial-like vehicles.
• Changes to commercial waste.

Events staged as part of autism strategy consultation

The public are being urged to have their say at open days which are being arranged during a three-month long consultation on a new strategy to tackle issues faced by autistic people. The events are being staged alongside a survey and online seminars on North Yorkshire’s draft all-age autism strategy.

The draft strategy has been developed by autistic people, their carers and families, alongside representatives from the community and voluntary sectors, ourselves, heath services, North Yorkshire Police, the Probation Service, education and employment partners. The document aims to reflect the ambitions and priorities of communities across the county. About 6,150 autistic people live in North Yorkshire based on the 2021 Census.

There are events on:

• 18 December: 10am to noon, Civic Centre, Harrogate.
• 9 January: 2pm to 4pm, Mercury House, Richmond.
• 13 January: 10am to noon, online.
• 1 February: 3pm to 5pm, Northallerton Mencap.
• 9 February: 10am to noon, Brayton Community Centre, Selby.
• 12 February: 7pm to 8pm, online.
• 28 February: 10am to noon, Friends Meeting House, Malton.
• 7 March: 2pm to 4pm, Friends Meeting House, Scarborough.
• 15 March: 2pm to 4pm, online.

See details of all events and information about the online and paper surveys, which include versions for children, young people and adults and are in other formats such as easy read or large print.

Share your views on £2.3m improvements for Whitby

Members of the public are being asked for their views on ambitious proposals for a £2.3 million investment to improve the space around Whitby’s historic swing bridge.

We and the Whitby Town Deal have been awarded the money from the Government’s Town Fund, which supports regeneration and long-term economic growth.

The scheme would see the removal of the roundabout and traffic islands on New Quay Road at the junction with Langbourne Road and Station Square to make way for wider pavements, new seating, planters and trees. On the east of the swing bridge, more space would be allocated for pedestrians. The turning area on the former Tin Ghaut car park would be made more appealing and changes would be made to traffic signalling.

The deadline for comments is Friday, December 22.

Warm homes for residents

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) is now open to help homes that are not on the mains gas network become energy efficient – and warm – for our residents. We are working with community interest company YES Energy Solutions to deliver improvements that could include high-quality insultation, solar panels, heat pumps and smart heating controls.

The Government-funded scheme is available for homes without mains gas central heating and for those living in priority neighbourhood postcodes, as well as homes where the annual household income is below £31,000, or where a member of the household receives means tested benefits.

The new scheme aims to improve energy efficiency for homeowners and private renters, to reduce energy bills, and keep homes warm in the colder months. Last year’s HUG1 scheme saved 329 customers more than £220,000 on their annual energy bills.

A warm welcome at your library

As winter sets in and the cost of heating remains high, people can find a warm welcome at any of the 42 libraries across North Yorkshire. Everyone is welcome to drop in, read a book, use a computer, connect to the free wifi, meet friends (and perhaps make new ones) or just enjoy a place to be.

Libraries are more than books, they are community living rooms – and our services are free. Do not be cold and alone over winter, go to a library, find out what is happening in your area and enjoy the warmth of your community.

Maths training for early years providers

The Department for Education has unveiled a new module in its early years child development training. Module 6: Mathematics covers nurturing mathematical development from birth, verbal counting and object counting, patterns and relationships, and spatial reasoning, including shape, space and measures. The free, online training for providers of early years settings offers an overview of child development and gives practical advice for supporting the development of children.