Dispute over spending of local taxes on upkeep of Whitby Harbour heads to Royal Courts of Justice in London

Campaigners say they ‘just want it done’ as the Whitby Harbour case goes to London’s Royal Courts of Justice.
Anttoni James Numminen
By Anttoni James Numminen
Published 1st Mar 2024, 13:40 GMT

The long-running dispute centres on an objection made by the Fight4Whitby pressure group which argues that more income has been taken out of the harbour by the council than has been spent on it.

A hearing will be held next week at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, North Yorkshire Council has confirmed.

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The pressure group launched a legal challenge in 2016 based on the 1905 Whitby Urban District Council Act, arguing that income from Whitby Harbour should be used within the harbour.

Fight4Whitby campaigners Chris Riddols, Sue Boyce, Andy Jefferson and Joyce Stangoe.Fight4Whitby campaigners Chris Riddols, Sue Boyce, Andy Jefferson and Joyce Stangoe.
Fight4Whitby campaigners Chris Riddols, Sue Boyce, Andy Jefferson and Joyce Stangoe.

The dispute has meant that the former Scarborough Borough Council’s (SBC) accounts dating back to 2015/16 have not been signed off.

Joyce Stangoe, the secretary of Fight4Whitby, said there had been an “agreement on some of the harbour land” with the council’s auditors, but that the “main argument which centres on the upper harbour” was still in dispute.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Friday (March 1), she said: “I’m glad it’s finally going to conclude because after eight years this is just ridiculous.”

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She said she was hopeful about a favourable ruling that would see money “ringfenced and reserved for use in Whitby Harbour” which she described as being in “a complete state of disrepair”.

However, Ms Stangoe added that were the ruling to go in the council’s favour, the group was unlikely to appeal the decision.

The pressure group’s secretary said it had so far spent around £80,000 in legal costs and had managed to fundraise £30,000 but still needed £50,000.

North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for transport, Paul Thompson, said: “We are committed to the delivery of a thriving harbour in Whitby and whilst we would not specifically comment on a live legal case we welcome the clarification and final determination by the courts that is required to resolve this longstanding matter.”

Ms Stangoe added: “We just hope that they uphold the 1905 Act intended to protect Whitby Harbour for the benefit of Whitby residents.”

Related topics:LondonScarborough Borough Council