Agenda, decisions 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.

At this point in the meeting, the Cabinet Member is asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests he may have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th April 2014.

Resolved:           That the minutes of the last Decision Session be approved and signed by the Cabinet Member as a correct record.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting during consideration of Annexes 10,11,12 &13 to agenda item 5 on the grounds that they contain information relating to an individual. This information is classed as exempt under Paragraphs 1&2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

Resolved:           That the Cabinet Member agreed to exclude the Press and Public during the consideration of confidential annexes 10,11 12 and 13 to agenda item 5.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

There had been 3 registrations to speak in respect of agenda item 5, as follows:

Mr. Robinson had registered to speak in objection as a resident of Lower Scott Street. He advised that he lives adjacent to the end of one of the alleyways and was aware of people using the alleys on a day to day basis. He considered the alleyways to be self policing and provided an example of a bike theft being prevented by a passerby. He queried whether the statistics for crime in the area proved there was a greater problem when compared to figures from a number of years ago. He suggested that the schemes had only been introduced because they had been requested by residents, rather than there being a need for them.

Mr. Judson of Bishopthorpe Road had registered to speak in objection to the draft gating order for Nunmill Street/Bishopthorpe Road. He advised that many residents use the alleyway for vehicular access and the elderly and disabled would have difficulty using the gate codes and getting in out of vehicles to open and close the gates. He also advised that many residents also use the alley as their principle pedestrian access to their properties, especially in winter when the steps at the front of  properties are icy. He also pointed out that the alleyway does not have a crime problem.

Mr. Major had registered to speak in support of the 4 gating orders. He advised that break ins are frequent in the area and the alleys are used by groups of youths. Concerns were raised about graffiti and fly tipping. In relation to comments made by a previous speaker about the alleyways being self-policing, he did not consider that this was the case, especially when many crimes occur in the early hours of the morning.

Following requests for Gating Orders in the Micklegate Ward by Local Residents, North Yorkshire Police, Safer York Partnership and Councillors in order to help prevent crime and anti-social behaviour, following consultation,  the Cabinet is being asked to consider sealing and making operative the draft Gating Orders for Millfield Road / Thorpe Street, Thorpe Street / Russell Street,Russell Street / Scott Street, Scott Street / Nunmill Street and making a draft Gating Order for the alleyway between Nunmill Street / Bishopthorpe Road.

Resolved: (i)                 That the Cabinet Member agreed to the sealing and making operative the draft Gating Orders for Millfield Road/Thorpe Street, Thorpe Street/Russell Street, Russell Street/Scott Street, Scott Street/Nunmill Street.

(ii)               That the Cabinet Member agreed to making a draft Gating Order for the alleyway between Nunmill Street/Bishopthorpe Road.

Reasons:  (i)                 In respect of recommendation (a), although a number of residents had objected to the draft gating order, when all the representations were taken into consideration, residents and bodies supporting the scheme were in the majority.

(ii)               In respect of recommendation (b) it is considered that the requirements of the legislation to make a draft Gating Order have been met.

(iii)               In respect of both scheme, the Council has a duty under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to implement crime reduction strategies in an effort to reduce overall crime in their administrative area. These ‘Alley-gating’ schemes support the obligation.

The Cabinet Member for Transport considered a report which outlined a request for Gating Orders by Local Residents, North Yorkshire Police, the Safer York partnership and Councillors.

It was reported that formal consultation had taken place for 4 alleyways and a decision was now required as to whether to seal and make operative the Gating Orders for Millfield Road / Thorpe Street, Thorpe Street / Russell Street,Russell Street / Scott Street, Scott Street / Nunmill Street. A decision was also required on whether to make a draft Gating Order for the alleyway between Nunmill Street and Bishopthorpe Road.

The Cabinet Member acknowledged that some residents had objected to the gating orders for the 4 alleyways, but there had also been a significant amount of support for the scheme, including from North Yorkshire Police and in light of that he was minded to approve the gating orders.

In relation to the draft gating order for the alleyway between Nunmill Street and Bishopthorpe Road, he agreed to make the draft order and enable Officers to go out to consultation with Local Residents.

Resolved: (i)                 That the Cabinet Member agreed to the sealing and making operative the draft Gating Orders for Millfield Road/Thorpe Street, Thorpe Street/Russell Street, Russell Street/Scott Street, Scott Street/Nunmill Street.

(ii)               That the Cabinet Member agreed to making a draft Gating Order for the alleyway between Nunmill Street/Bishopthorpe Road.

Reasons:  (i)                 In respect of recommendation (a), although a number of residents had objected to the draft gating order, when all the representations were taken into consideration, residents and bodies supporting the scheme were in the majority.

(ii)               In respect of recommendation (b) it is considered that the requirements of the legislation to make a draft Gating Order have been met.

(iii)               In respect of both scheme, the Council has a duty under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to implement crime reduction strategies in an effort to reduce overall crime in their administrative area. These ‘Alley-gating’ schemes support the obligation.