"It was therefore fantastic to see the enthusiasm for the Youth Council event that we held last month. 16 to 18 year olds from across the Borough of Scarborough representing Scarborough Air Cadets 739 Squadron, 4th Scarborough Boys Brigade and Scarborough Explorer Scouts-Young Leaders got the chance to act as councillors for an evening and quiz Cabinet members on youth participation in democracy.

"It was certainly no walk in the park for us and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if some of the confident young people that took part in the debate go on to a career in politics! Look out for similar events we plan to hold in the future and please do your bit to encourage the young people you know to take part...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovZLoInRZ1Q

"While I am pleased to report that site preparation has begun on the Futurist site in Scarborough and demolition is due to begin by early March, the council will now be concluding actions to recoup the costs it incurred in defending the legal challenge from the ‘Save the Futurist’ supporters group. In effect these were costs borne by the council tax payer and we will be taking steps to ensure these costs are recovered in full. It is disappointing to say the least that the group has failed to comply with the terms of the Court Order requiring them to pay these costs and we will be taking the appropriate action to ensure the legal judgment is rightly upheld.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EFUD41KEJo

"The council has recently been criticised by some of its own councillors for the way in which emails from unreasonable complainants are handled. Again this is disappointing when those councillors approved the policy in relation to this to protect our staff and elected members. Our policy on this process is clear. Such behaviour is dealt with by a simple, overt, and reasonable practice, which is in operation throughout the public sector for the protection of not only staff and councillors, but also to protect limited resources and ensure the council’s ability to correspond with its customers and deliver its services is not hindered. We will continue to take all reasonable steps, as laid out in the policy, to comply with our legal and moral responsibility to look after our staff and members.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KFxmbWOS2c

"Back to community news; the improvement programme at Eastside Park in Whitby is almost complete and we look forward to celebrating the opening of the exciting facilities for children and young people of all ages in early 2018.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9YnRjRirXU

"The construction of permanent decking over the lake at Scarborough Open Air Theatre will start next year and will be finished in time for the venue’s summer opening. Bringing the audience closer to the stage is key to attracting a wide variety of big name acts and that has already become clear in the four acts announced so far for 2018; Gary Barlow, The Script, Il Divo and Steps. Stay tuned for more announcements in the coming weeks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe7mMVIZwDM

"Barrowcliff Big Local Partnership continues to make noticeable strides in improving the life of those living in the Barrowcliff community. The partnership has just launched a Business Loan Scheme to enable residents to either start up a new business or grow an existing business. The project is being run in-conjunction with South Yorkshire Credit Union to offer affordable loans of up to £5,000 to residents that would not ordinarily qualify for a business loan through the usual channels. Applicants must live in the Barrowcliff Big Local area but the business can operate either within or outside of that boundary. Applicants have to submit a business plan to a panel made up of Big Local members and business support advisors for approval, before making a formal loan application to the Credit Union.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY3TwTiqFJw

"The partnership also runs a Small Grant Scheme for local groups and organisations to bid into, to support the delivery of their Big Local Plan, and it is about to launch a three-year initiative with UK charity, UnLtd, to offer support and awards to social entrepreneurs in the area, which will be known locally as ‘Barrowcliff BIG Stars’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSjpfjhLr_w

"Don’t forget, for more information about the council and to access the many services we provide, even during the holiday period, go online at www.scarborough.gov.uk

"You can also follow us on Twitter @ScarboroCouncil or look for us on Facebook under @scarboroughcouncil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxa3mNrEmkY

"Finally, I would like to wish everyone in the borough a very Happy Christmas and all the very best for 2018."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaJv6L8vF-Y

Enjoy.