Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Member to Chair the Task Group.

Resolved:           That Councillor Kramm be appointed as Chair of the Task Group.

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.

Councillor Richardson declared a personal interest as he is on the Foss Internal Drainage Board and as a Haxby Town Councillor.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday 25 January 2016.

Members of the public may register to speak on:

·        An item on the agenda

·        An issue within the remit of the Task Group

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 https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/6453/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_council_meetingspdf

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

This report introduces information in support of objective (i) of the review remit for the Goose Management scrutiny review, and asks the Task Group to formally agree the remit and methodology for the review.

Members considered a report which introduced information in support of objective (i) of the review remit for the Goose Managment scrutiny review, and asked the Task Group to formally agree the remit and methodology for the review.

It was clarified at the start of the meeting that the wording of the Aim would be amended as follows, to ensure that the review incorporated other gardens and parks affected:

        To improve the experience of residents and visitors to public parks, gardens and open spaces by examining the geese (and other water fowl) related problems affecting Rowntree Park and the University and other affected sites.

        Members received a presentation, the slides of which are attached to the online agenda for this meeting for information. The presentation led in depth discussions around:

·        The history of goose management in York and a summary of the principle problem areas

·        Estimated numbers of geese in the City and the species found in York

·        Current actions, in particular egg treatments

·        Other actions considered, in particular the possible use of fences, how to discourage the public from feeding the geese and scaring techniques

·        Currents costs of managing Geese

·        Confirmation that there has been no confirmation of any health issues in people associated with Geese

Members noted the presentation and requested that further information on any policies used locally or nationally to control the geese population.

Resolved:           That the Task Group

Formally agreed the review remit, future meetings dates and review methodology detailed in paragraphs 3&5 of the report.

Considered the information provided in the powerpoint and requested further information on any other local or national geese management strategies.

Reason:              To progress this scrutiny review in line with scrutiny procedures and protocols.