Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

· any personal interests not included on the Register of

Interests

· any prejudicial interests or

· any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have in respect of the business on the agenda.

Councillor Kramm asked for it to be noted that he was now a trustee for Friends of St Nicholas Fields, although this was not directly related to the business on this agenda.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Communities and Environment Policy and Scrutiny Committee held on 29 June 2016 and 18 July 2016.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the of the Committee meetings held on 29 June and 18 July 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have

registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or

an issue within the Committee’s remit can do so. The deadline for

registering is Tuesday 20 September 2016 at 5.00pm.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast and that

includes any registered public speakers, who have given their

permission. This broadcast can be viewed at:

http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors

and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This

includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting. Anyone

wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting

should contact the Democracy Officers (whose contact details are

at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of

Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a

manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all

those present. It can be viewed at:

http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s public participation scheme.

The Committee will receive a presentation on the ongoing development of the Waste Recovery Treatment Centre at Allerton Park, provided by Ian Fielding from North Yorkshire County Council.

The Committee received a presentation from North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), on the ongoing development of the Waste Recovery Treatment Centre at Allerton Park.

During questions from Members, NYCC confirmed that:

·        The implications of ‘Brexit’ should not have any immediate impact on the development. Finance for the project was hedged and any risk was therefore the contractors.

·        Recycling would be weighed via a weigh bridge.

·        Were household waste levels to drop significantly this would not have an impact contractually, as household waste would be replaced with commercial waste.

·        It was hoped the facility would be open by January 2018.

·        In the event that the facility failed to meet targets they would be subject to financial penalties.

It was agreed that a copy of the presentation and supporting notes, as well as a link to the webcast (specifically the question and answer session), be circulated to all Members.¹

Resolved:  That the information contained in the presentation be noted.

Reason:     To update the scrutiny committee on the state of the ongoing development at Allerton Park.

This report provides details of the 2016/17 forecast outturn position for both finance and performance across services within City & Environmental Services and Communities and Neighbourhoods. 

Members gave consideration to a report that provided details of the 2016/17 forecast outturn position for both finance and performance across services within City & Environmental Services and Communities and Neighbourhoods.

Officers answered Member questions on the following issues:

Waste Collection and Recycling

Officers confirmed that:

·        A number of household collection rounds had been removed, which had in turn allowed for a reduction in trucks and crews.

·        This figure would be back on balance for the 2017/18 financial year.

·        New vehicles had been purchased which would allow for separation of recycling at the kerbside, which was better value.

The Executive Member for Environment, told the committee that he had an upcoming meeting with York Civic Trust to discuss bins and recycling within the City Centre.

Members queried the Service Level Agreement (SLA) for emtying litter bins, and why a number of Performance Indicators were deteriorating, specifically:

CSPEC4 - Calls for Service - Vegetation (includes weeds and overgrown hedges)

CSPEC5 - Calls for Service - Cleansing (includes dog fouling, litter and all other cleansing cases)

CSPEC6 - Calls for Service – Graffiti

The Scrutiny Officer agreed to circulate this information to the committee ahead of the next meeting.²

Hate Crime and Domestic Abuse

Officers stated that there had been an increase in Hate Crimes and Domestic Abuse. There was a feeling that this figure may reflect increased confidence in the reporting system due to additional victim support on offer. It was however stated that it was impossible to measure this correlation.

Officers confirmed that City of York Council was still White Ribbon accredited. Members suggested re-starting this campaign, which highlighted the issue of violence against women.

Officers clarified that police data was used to inform these statistics, however further data capture (e.g. NHS, solicitors, third sector) may not be meaningful enough to divert time and money away from vital services. Members suggested that information sharing, rather than data capture, could still be valuable.

Maintenance and Repair

Officers confirmed that:

·        There had been a £500k overspend on repairs and maintenance.

·        The Council had a commitment to customers which could sometimes necessitate the use of sub-contractors. 

·        Condensation is not an indicator of major defects in a property, but rather how the property is used.

·        The level of rough sleepers in York had increased slightly, but from an unusually low level, which was still significantly less than the national average.

Resolved:  That the information contained in the report be noted.

Reason:     To update the scrutiny committee of the latest finance and performance position.

This report outlines the progress so far and the process that the Environment Agency (EA) are working to, feedback from  Committee Members is requested on the approach.

The committee considered a report and accompanying presentation from the Environment Agency (EA) which outlined progress so far in relation to an action plan to reduce further flood risks in the city and to decide where £45M of additional government funding would be spent.

In response to Member questions EA representatives and the City of York Council’s (CYC) Flood Risk Manager confirmed:

·        Many flood assets in York fell below the required standard when they were assessed in December 2015, ahead of the flooding over the Christmas period.

·        CYC, EA and Yorkshire Water would work collaboratively to address drainage issues throughout the city.

·        In reference to housing developments, flood risk engineers liaise closely with planning on applications and drainage issues.

·        Dredging was not always the most appropriate action, much depended on the management of flow. It was felt that the Foss may benefit from dredging. 

·        The pump at the Foss Barrier would be replaced at the end of September, leaving the barrier with the ability to easily handle water levels of those seen in November 2015.

Members felt that the Environment Agency needed to reassure those living in areas which had been flooded that there would not be a repeat of the situation over the coming months. 

The Executive Member for Environment confirmed he would push for greater communication to residents at the next Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee meeting. 

EA representatives confirmed that a public exhibition of plans would take place on the weekend of 25 November 2016.

Resolved:

1.   That the information contained in the report (Annex and presentation in relation to the City of York Flood Action Plan be noted.

2.   That Members’ views and comments be noted.

Reason:     To improve the resilience of the city’s flood defences and provide reduced flood risk to residents, businesses and visitors to the city.

The Chair thanked Steve Waddington - Assistant Director Housing and Community Safety, on behalf of the committee, for all of his help and advice. She wished him luck in his new role.

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s workplan for the municipal year 2016/17.

Consideration was given to the Committee’s work plan for the municipal year 2016/17.

Hate Crime Strategy Task Group

Members requested the formation of a Hate Crime Strategy Task Group to work with Jane Mowat on the drafting of the 2017-19 Hate Crime Strategy.

Nominations were:

·        Councillor Gunnell

·        Councillor Mason

·        Councillor Richardson

It was agreed the committee would receive an update on the implementation of the current strategy and an overview of the Task Group’s review at its next meeting on 16 November.

Ward Funding Scrutiny Review

Members of the Ward Funding Scrutiny Review Task Group gave a verbal update on their ongoing work in support of their review and confirmed they would be holding a consultation event in November to meet with previous recipients of ward funding to gather their views on the process and the barriers if any, they had faced.

Geese Management

Councillor Kramm asked for an update on the Geese Management strategy. The Scrutiny Officer clarified that an official update would not be made until the six month point, however would provide an informal update via email.

CYC Flood Defences Action Plan (Environment Agency) 

There would be an update from the Environment Agency at November’s meeting.

Resolved:  That the work plan be approved subject to the  following above amendments.

Reason:     To ensure that the committee has a planned programme of work in place.