Council meetings

Your councillors meet regularly to consider local issues and plans, countywide policy and much more. This month includes numerous area planning committee meetings. Find details of all meetings. Where possible, meetings are streamed live. Watch live meetings.

Have your say on housing strategy

Residents are being urged to have their say on an ambitious new strategy which provides the framework for housing development in the county over the next five years.

The draft North Yorkshire Housing Strategy includes proposals to deliver almost 13,000 new homes based on existing Local Plan commitments – some of which will be council homes to add to the authority’s existing 8,500 properties.

A 10-week consultation will run until December 11.

We regularly consult you on local and countywide issues before making decisions. View the current consultations. Other current consultations include the housing allocations policy  for the Harrogate area. Also current are the draft North Yorkshire destination management strategy, the yellow box junction in Selby, selective licensing of privately rented properties in Scarborough, a proposed new special school in Harrogate and dog control rules in Filey, Scarborough and Whitby.

Household Support Fund vouchers

The Household Support Fund was set up by the Government to help people who are struggling with the increase in living costs and feeling the financial pressure of paying their bills.

If you have had a letter telling you that you are eligible for a Household Support Fund payment, you must select your e-vouchers by October 24. Find out how to claim your voucher.

Get Credit where it’s due

People across North Yorkshire are being urged to check if they are eligible for pension credit top up payments after figures estimated more than 6,000 qualifying households are missing out on around £14 million in unclaimed Pension Credit across the county.

Pension Credit tops up pension income and can help with day-to-day living costs. If you are over state pension age, you may be eligible to claim Pension Credit, even if you own your home or have savings. People who claim Pension Credit may also be able to get:

• additional Cost of Living Payments
• help with heating costs
• help with rent and Council Tax
• a free TV licence for those aged 75 or over
• help with the cost of NHS services, such as NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments

You could be eligible for Pension Credit if your weekly income is below £201.05 or, if you have a partner who lives with you, £306.85. Qualifying income may be higher in some circumstances.

Check your eligibility here or call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 

Apply for your child’s secondary school place

Applications are now open and any child transferring from primary school to secondary school next year must apply for a place by October 31. In North Yorkshire, parents can list up to five schools in order of preference on their common application form. They are advised to include their child’s catchment school as one of those five to maximise the chances of obtaining a place. Those applying will be offered a place on 1 March, 2024. See more details on how to apply.

Explore North Yorkshire by bus

Fancy exploring North Yorkshire by bus? There are hundreds of routes across the county, so whether you fancy visiting the coast, or one of our bustling market town, why not hop on-board?

Single journeys have been capped at £2.50 until November 2024, so there is even more reason to see what the county has to offer. For bus timetables, visit our public transport website page.

People of pensionable age, or eligible disabled people, can also travel for free with a bus pass. Applying for a bus pass online is the quickest and most straight forward way to apply. All you need is a digital passport photo, a valid email address and supporting evidence.

Recycle Week

Recycle Week runs from 16 to 22 October. This year’s theme is The Big Recycling Hunt which focuses on the items that can be recycled but are commonly missed in the home. These include:

• Empty bean tins
• Cleaning bottles
• Takeaway trays
• Shampoo bottles
• Yoghurt pots, butter tubs, food tins and plastic meat trays (except in the Ryedale area)

Find more information about Recycle Week.