North Yorkshire Council is planning to end its lease for school residentials at East Barnby Outdoor Centre and transfer them to Scarborough.
The centre at East Barnby has been temporarily closed since December last year due to concerns over the electrics and wiring.
Now, NYC says it would be more cost effective to pay its way out of the lease arrangement with Mulgrave Estate, than it would to carry out the repairs needed.
The proposals also indicate there will be job losses as a result of re-structuring but the details are not contained in public reports.
A report will be put to councillors on Tuesday next week asking the Children’s and Young Persons Executive to cease further capital investment in the East Barnby site, approve the termination of the lease with the Mulgrave Estate subject to legal necessities, and carry on the current temporary arrangement at Birch Hall Scout Camp in Scarborough until July 31, 2028.
Councillors will also be asked to approve the repurposing of funding, set aside for investment in East Barnby back in 2023, to facilitate an arrangement with Birch Hall and manage a proposed staffing restructure and contracts.
Documents say: “Current employment contracts for teaching staff (teachers and tutors), and for catering and cleaning staff, do not align with the proposed delivery model at Birch Hall Scout Camp.
“The change in delivery model requires a reduced and restructured workforce, reflecting: Lower capacity, relating to reduced numbers of beds; Reduced operating days, Tuesday to Friday during term time; Different allocated work base, change from the East Barnby to Birch Hall site.
“A formal consultation process will be undertaken with staff and unions in line with Council policy.”
Prior to having to close last year, the East Barnby site has been hosting residentials for 70 years, and welcomed 5,000 young people each year with the aim of providing opportunities – such as climbing, orienteering and mountain biking – for youngsters from deprived backgrounds.
The East Barnby site has of 24 prefabricated buildings, with accommodation facilities for 152 overnight visitors. It has a fully operational kitchen and a dining room, breakout classrooms, offices, staff accommodation, and stores for outdoor equipment.
Birch Hall can take 80 visitors and is available Tuesday to Friday. It means certain groups will now not be able to access residentials, such as WHISH and YEAT Academy Schools as they generally book on weekends or school holidays when there will be no access to Birch Hall.
NYC says the reduced offer, plus the extra distance for East Barnby staff are also reasons for the restructure.
However, NYC says there are no other suitable NYC sites and Birch Hall is a better option than closing the outdoor learning service in this area completely.
If the plans are given the go-ahead by councillors next week, the Corporate Director Children & Young People Services will also undertake an options appraisal and business case to set out the long-term vision, ambition and future viability, for the provision of Outdoor Learning in North Yorkshire from September 2028 when the current agreement with Birch Hall will end.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Coun Annabel Wilkinson, said: “For many children and young people, outdoor learning offers the chance to try new experiences, build friendships and develop skills that will stay with them throughout their lives.
“The proposals being considered seek to ensure there is no disruption to outdoor learning opportunities for children and young people while we consider options for the future delivery of the service on the east coast.”
