Executive
Set out below is a summary of the decisions taken at the Executive meeting held on Tuesday, 15 December 2020. The wording used does not necessarily reflect the actual wording that will appear in the minutes.
Members are reminded that, should they wish to call in a decision, notice must be given to Democracy Support Group no later than 4pm on the second working day after this meeting. Please note that the recommendations to Council at Items 11 and 12 cannot be called in.
If you have any queries about any matters referred to in this decision sheet please contact FionaYoung.
6. Update on the Council’s Preparations for the UK’s Exit from the European Union - End of Transition
Resolved: (i) That the preparations that have taken place ahead of the end of Transition be noted.
(ii) That officers be requested to continue to monitor the end of Transition and its potential impacts on the council and the city.
(iii) That officers be asked to continue to work at a national, regional and local level to support the city’s preparations for the end of Transition.
Reason: To help ensure that the city, and the country, is prepared for the changed environment after Transition.
7. City of York Council Renewal and Recovery Strategy - December Update
Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted.
8. New Stadium Leisure Complex Commercial Proposal on Restaurant Units
Resolved: (i) That Option 1 be approved, accepting that the three restaurant units are not let at Practical Completion and accepting the associated reduction of £1.375m in capital receipt towards the Stadium project.
(ii) That the additional ongoing Treasury Management costs of £96k, which will need to be incorporated into future years’ budget strategies, be recognised.
Reason: To ensure that the stadium is fully funded at the lowest risk to finances going forward.
9. Make It York - Impact of Covid-19
Resolved: (i) That the requirement for Make It York (MIY) to make a revenue return to the council in 2020/21 in respect of trading activity across the city be waived.
(ii) That the first two quarters’ rent due from MIY in 2020/21 for use of premises on Museum Street and the Silver Street offices be deferred.
(iii) That a loan facility of £300k from the council be accessed by MIY only if necessary.
(iv) That officers provide a letter of guarantee to MIY with access to a maximum of £1m over the next two years should it be required.
Reason: To secure the future of Make It York.
10. Council Housing Energy Retrofit Programme
Resolved: (i) That the outcomes of the pre-decision scrutiny undertaken at the Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee be noted.
(ii) That the objectives of the Council Housing Retrofit programme be approved.
(iii) That Option 3 (commence decarbonisation work in tandem with strategy development work) be approved as the preferred option to allocate the agreed capital budget.
(iv) That the ambitions for carbon neutrality be incorporated into the Housing Asset Strategy and plans.
(v) That funding and investment models to support the decarbonisation of council and private homes in York be explored and a further report be brought to Executive setting out proposals in respect of these.
(vi) That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director of Housing & Community Safety, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods, to apply for grant opportunities to further support York residents to access their own energy saving grants.
Reason: To improve the energy performance of some of the city’s poorer-performing council houses, both to reduce energy bills and to support the council’s ambition for York to be carbon neutral by 2030, while taking the first steps in creating a pipeline of retrofit work in York which will support skills development and new green jobs.
11. New Stadium Leisure Complex Commercial Proposal on Restaurant Units
Recommended: That a further £1.375m prudential borrowing be applied to the Community Stadium project to offset the loss of commercial investment in the project.
Reason: To ensure the stadium project is fully funded at the lowest risk to council finances going forward.
12. Amendment to Council Tax Support Scheme
Recommended: That Council approve an amendment to the CTS scheme to implement a De Minimis limit of £2.50 before a council tax support customer is required to receive a revised council tax bill.
Reason: To support financial inclusion and protect financially vulnerable customers from confusing and unnecessary multiple bills.