Agenda and draft 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, members were asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests they may have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 26^th January and 2^nd February 2016.

Resolved:           That the minutes of the last two formal meetings of the Task Group held on 26^th January 2016 and 2^nd February 2016 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 2^nd  March 2016.  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

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 no registrations to speak under public participation.

This report provides information in support of the ongoing Goose Management scrutiny review, and asks the Task Group to identify what further work is now required to conclude this review.

Members considered the draft final report of the Goose Management Scrutiny review.

Members worked through the report and made the following comments and amendments:

·        Paragraph 13  - highlight on the list in bold the attendees at the consultation meeting, include the information that the attendees provided and add a sentence to advise the attendees were asked to provide feedback on signage.

·        Paragraph 14 – add a bullet point to state that there had been reports of geese attacking members of the public and their dogs.

·        Paragraph 19 – add wording to reflect that in 2000 a complaint had been made to the Ombudsman regarding the process followed to obtain a cull licence and the decision was taken not to proceed until the complaint was settled by the ombudsman, by which point the licence had expired. Also the addition of a sentence to advise there was no co-ordinated national drive towards culling.

·        Paragraph 20 – addition of text to advise that the chemicals make the grass unpalatable to geese although it is unclear what impact the chemicals may have on watercourses.

·        Paragraph 20 – Education – add wording to reflect the fact that the Educational Officer from the Canal and River Trust had offered to share some educational literature. Also, add that attendees at the consultation event had expressed an interest in being involved in educational talks and events.

·        Paragraph 20 – Collection of droppings and disposal – amend the wording to make it clear that the staff cost would be £15k per year, the equivalent of a full time post. It was also confirmed that if dried and added to the level 100 compost made at Harewood Whin, it would be suitable for that use.

·        Paragraph 20 – other deterrents – add wording to reflect that the use of sprinklers was considered by members but none of the council’s public parks had the necessary infrastructure in place to facilitate this method. The task group recognised that this was a costly measure but that it could be explored further.

·        Paragraph 21 – addition of wording to reflect that an officer had visited the London parks and noted that none were similar to York’s urban parks.

·        Paragraph 23 – amend wording to make it clear that both Greylag and Canada geese were a problem in York.

·        Paragraph 25 – add wording to state that in regards to a cull, the Task Group agreed that whilst there was some support for it and it would have an immediate effect, it would only be of short term benefit.  They therefore accepted it would only be effective if carried out in conjunction with other measures, and that a suite of measures were likely to have the same long term effect. 

·        Paragraph 27 – deletion of the final sentence.

Members then agreed that the final recommendations would be as follows:

i)      Officers to carry out a number of trials to test the effectiveness of various measures i.e.:

•                     A licensed chemical (if sourced)

•                     A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.