FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

North Yorkshire Council Admits to Failures Following Unitary Council Amalgamation

27/11/2024

North Yorkshire Council is facing criticism over its failure to provide adequate housing support to Kirsty Waite and her family, who have been living in precarious conditions at a homeless centre in Catterick Garrison for the past five months. The case, which has drawn local and national attention, exposes critical failings linked to the Council’s transition to a unitary authority earlier this year.

Kirsty Waite, her partner, and their four children, including a 12-year-old son with Autism, have endured cramped and unsuitable living arrangements in Council-owned temporary accommodation, with only limited improvement after months of advocacy. Council correspondence has revealed that the amalgamation of district councils into the single North Yorkshire Council in April 2023 contributed significantly to delays in addressing the family’s rehousing needs.

Housing officers admitted that operational disruptions caused by the unitary Council’s restructuring have slowed progress. This admission comes in stark contrast to promises made by Council leadership during the reorganization process, where continuity and cost savings were touted as key benefits.

Key Issues Highlighted

1. Unitary Council Disruptions:
   The Council’s amalgamation was promoted as a means of improving efficiency. However, the Waite family’s plight demonstrates the adverse effects of the restructuring, which has led to delays and systemic inefficiencies.
2. Termination of Housing Contractor:
   The Council’s decision to terminate the Kier contractor in June 2023, responsible for repairs to void properties, has exacerbated the housing crisis in Richmondshire, leaving families like the Waites in limbo.
3. Resource Allocation Failures:
   The Council has failed to allocate sufficient resources for addressing void properties in Richmondshire, resulting in delays in returning much-needed housing stock to circulation.

Kirsty’s son, who thrives at his current school in Darlington due to the stability it offers, faces potential upheaval if the family is forced to relocate further afield. His Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) places a statutory obligation on the Council to ensure his educational and developmental needs are met.

A Call for Action
Supporters of the Waite family are calling on North Yorkshire Council to take immediate steps to resolve the crisis. Proposed measures include:

• Establishing a dedicated Void Properties Team for Richmondshire to expedite housing repairs and allocations.
• Introducing an emergency procurement process to address the backlog of repairs on vacant properties.
• Conducting a public survey to evaluate the success of the unitary Council’s restructuring and its impact on residents.

Matthew Cooke, Chairman of Reform UK for Richmond and Northallerton, who has been championing the Waite family’s cause, said:
“This situation is a direct result of poor decision-making and mismanagement. Families like the Waites are bearing the brunt of these failures, and it is unacceptable. North Yorkshire Council must take immediate and decisive action.”

As the Christmas season approaches, there is mounting pressure on the Council to ensure the Waite family is rehoused promptly, sparing them further distress during an already challenging time.

Contact:
Matthew Cooke
Interim Chairman, Reform UK Richmond and Northallerton
chair.richmondnorthallerton@reformuk.com

END

Our Chairman and local members have written a letter to Richard Flinton, CEO of North Yorkshire Council, requesting urgent action to be taken.

Download and read the letter in full.