Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Steward confirmed the recent Government announcement that the York Central site had been given Enterprise Zone status. He referred to the economic boost this would provide for the city and he expressed his thanks to the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership and Council Officers for their work on the bid submission.

At this point, 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, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of business on the agenda.

Members were asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of business on the agenda.

Councillor Runciman declared an  interest in relation to item 5. Capital Programme – Monitor 2 2015/16 in relation to references to the Theatre Royal as a non CYC Board member of the York Citizens' Theatre Trust and took no part in the discussion or vote on the item.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last Executive meeting held on 29 October 2015.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the last meeting of the Executive held on 29 October 2015 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Wednesday 25 November 2015.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the Committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

“Please note this meeting will 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 Officer (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/downloads/file/6453/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetingspdf

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, details of which are set out below:

Capital Programme – Monitor 2 2015/16

Brian Watson spoke in relation to the Community Stadium reference in the capital programme. In particular he questioned details of the additional retail development and increased income which he suggested could offset some of the Council’s costs. He also queried any risks associated with outstanding contracts and the extent of the existing use of the St John’s complex for club training purposes.  

To receive details of those items that are listed on the Forward Plan for the next two Executive meetings.

Members received and noted details of those item on the Forward Plan for the next two Executive meetings, at the time the agenda was published.

This report sets out the projected outturn position for the Council’s 2015/16 Capital Programme including any adjustments and requests to re-profile budgets between years.

Resolved:  That Executive agree to:

(i)           Note the 2015/16 revised budget of £94.389m, as set out in paragraph 6 and Table 1 of the report.

(ii)          Note the restated capital programme for 2015/16 – 2019/20 as set out in paragraph 33, Table 2 and detailed in Annex A of the report. ^1.

Reason:     To enable the effective management and monitoring of the Council’s capital programme.

Consideration was given to a report which set out the projected out turn position for the 2015/16 Capital Programme which included any adjustments and requests to re-profile budgets between years.

It was reported that the Capital Programme approved by Council in February 2015 and updated from later reports to the Executive was £95.290m and, with a decrease of £901k reported in the current monitor had resulted in a revised Capital Programme of £94.389m. The variances reported against each portfolio area together with a summary of the key exceptions and their implications on the programme were also highlighted.

As a result of the changes the revised 5 year capital programme was reported together with financing details of the programme to 2019/20 at table 3 and Annex A.

Officers highlighted the additional costs associated with the extension of time required for works at the Theatre Royal and to the recent awarding of the contract for the Mansion House project, which also included some essential maintenance works.

In answer to questions, Officers confirmed that Fossgate would be included as part of a review and future report being undertaken into city centre access.

Resolved:  That Executive agree to:

(i)           Note the 2015/16 revised budget of £94.389m as set out in paragraph 6 and Table 1 of the report.

(ii)          Note the restated capital programme for 2015/16 – 2019/20 as set out in paragraph 33, Table 2 and detailed in Annex A of the report. ^1.

Reason:     To enable the effective management and monitoring of the Council’s capital programme.

This report presents details of the Council’s finance and performance position for the period covering 1 April to 30 September 2015, together with an overview of any emerging issues. 

Resolved: That the Executive notes the current finance and performance information set out in the report.

Reason:     To ensure expenditure is kept within the approved budget.

Members considered a report which presented details of the Council’s finance and performance position for the period 1 April to 30 September 2015 which assessed performance against budgets and included progress in delivering the Council’s savings programme.

With the Council’s net budget at £119,760k, it was noted that the financial pressures facing the Council were projected at £1,250k, an improvement of £654k from the £1,904k reported at Monitor 1. An overview of the forecast was reported on a directorate by directorate basis at Table 1 of the report.

Officers highlighted the potential additional financial pressure of £3m in Adult Social Care owing to funding issues within the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group and their reduction in contribution to the Better Care Fund pooled budget.

Members and Officers reported on work currently being commissioned to examine how performance statistics could lead to improvements in decision making and their subsequent effect on local residents.

In answer to a Member query regarding the Council’s regeneration team, Officers confirmed that as part of City and Environmental savings, restructuring proposals for development control and the planning function were under consideration. However Officers reassured Members that all major projects on which the authority would be taking the lead would be funded out of the capital programmes previously approved and staffed accordingly which also included staff to negotiate section 106 agreements.

Following further discussion it was

Resolved: That the Executive notes the current finance and performance information set out in the report.

Reason:     To ensure expenditure is kept within the approved budget.

This report presents Members with a mid year update on treasury management activities which the Council is required through legislation to provide.  The report provides an update on activity for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 October 2015 together with information on the monitoring of the prudential indicators.

Resolved:  That, in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003 (revised), the Executive agree to:

(i)       Note the reported Treasury Management activities to date in 2015/16;

(ii)      Note the Prudential Indicators set out at Annex A and note the compliance with all indicators.

Reason: To ensure the continued performance of the Council’s Treasury Management function.

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on treasury management activities for the period 1 April 2015 to October 2015, to ensure that the Council was implementing best practice in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003 (revised).

Information was presented on the current economic background and its effect on the Annual Investment Strategy and Investment Portfolio at paragraphs 4 to 26 of the report.

To ensure that the Council had operated within the treasury limits and Prudential Indicators (PI’s) details of the monitoring of and compliance with the PI’s were reported at paragraphs 27 and 28 and Annex A.

Resolved:  That in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003 (revised), the Executive agree to:

(i)       Note the reported Treasury Management activities to date in 2015/16;

(ii)      Note the Prudential Indicators set out at Annex A and note the compliance with all indicators.

Reason: To ensure the continued performance of the Council’s Treasury Management function.

Recommended: That Council agree a decrease in the 2015/16  capital programme of £901k as detailed in the report and contained in Annex A.

Reason:              To enable the effective management and monitoring of the Council’s capital programme.

Consideration was given to a report which set out the projected out turn position for the 2015/16 Capital Programme which included any adjustments and requests to re-profile budgets between years.

It was noted that the Capital Programme approved by Council in February 2015 had, following earlier adjustments and the decrease in the current monitor of £901k, resulted in a revised Capital Programme of £94.389m.

Members were informed that the decrease was, in the main, due to the reprofiling of budgets in future years and that offsetting this was a net increase of £60k due to an increase of external contributions.

Recommended: That Council agree a decrease in the 2015/16  capital programme of £901k as detailed in the report and contained in Annex A. ^1.

Reason:              To enable the effective management and monitoring of the Council’s capital programme.