Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the October Executive meeting.

It was advised that due to the significant level of public interest in relation to York Christmas Market, the agenda running order was to be reordered. York Christmas Market was to be brought forward and considered as the first substantive item on the agenda.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

At this point in the meeting, Members and co-opted members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

(1)     Members must consider their interests, and act according to the following:

(2)     Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

(3)     Members in arrears of Council Tax by more than two months must not vote in decisions on, or which might affect, budget calculations, and must disclose at the meeting that this restriction applies to them. A failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following:

Annex A to agenda item 10 on the grounds that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

Whilst it was acknowledged that annex A to agenda item 10 was classed as exempt for the reasons set out below, it was not anticipated that there was a need for Executive to consider it in private session.

Resolved: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting in relation to annex A to agenda item 10 on the grounds that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

To approve and sign the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 2 September 2025.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 2

September 2025 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. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the Executive.

Please note that our registration deadlines are set as two working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at our meetings.  The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Friday, 3 October 2025.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact Democratic Services. Contact details can be found at the foot of this agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

It was reported that there had been eight registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Roger Tuckett spoke in relation to agenda item 7, A City that Works for All: York's All-age Autism and ADHD Strategy 2025-2030. He spoke about the impact of undiagnosed autism career in relation to work, family connections and financial stability. He was keen to ensure societal integration for all autistic and neurodivergent people. It was reported that life expectancy for autistic people was between 6 and 11 years lower than the rest of the population. Up to 35% planned or attempted suicide during their lifetime. 42% of autistic children experienced anxiety compared to 3% of non-autistic children. Educational outcomes were persistently worse. And just three in ten autistic adults were in work compared to five in ten for all disabled people and eight in ten for non-disabled people.

The development of a new autism strategy was welcomed, preceded by a full needs assessment, including ADHD. It involved lived experience in co-design and co-production not just as an aspiration. Its focus on societal aspects was exemplary. However, it remained largely tactical and may lack a clear strategic pathway of how to achieve all the wider outcomes of the autistic communities and their families sought in fully removing health and social inequalities brought about by neurodivergence. A robust annual action plan was needed with measurable targets and accountability. However, the various statutory authorities still provided a fragmented approach to support, particularly between health and social care services with the third sector and often with poor communication with neurodivergent communities themselves.

It was requested that City of York Council supported a call for a leadership summit during 2026 for autism and ADHD across York and North Yorkshire. This should include direct participation as equal partners not only from the various statutory bodies, but also the third sector and neurodivergent communities to explore better ways of integrating support strategies and stimulating co-operative working.

The Leader of the Council responded that the request for involvement at the leadership summit was to be addressed by Councillor Lucy Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care.

Gwen Swinburn spoke in relation to agenda item 13, £500k Parks Investment Fund – Scheme Approval. There was concern that King George Field remained last on the Parks Investment Fund. It was reported that the site had been legally dedicated as a memorial to King George V and was the only recreational space for residents. It was felt that the council's statutory duty to maintain it had been ignored. In addition, the adjacent play area at Aaron Place had been neglected with missing and outdated play equipment. The Council's scoring system had ranked King George Field the lowest, and despite being inaccessible, officers had not given full infrastructure points.

The Leader of the Council responded that King George Field was on the list for further consideration and that whilst £500k was a significant investment it did not cover all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143.

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 items that were on the Forward Plan for the next two Executive meetings at the time of agenda publication.

(In accordance with Paragraph 15.1 of Appendix 7 to the Constitution, this item is being considered under urgent items.)

To consider a report from the Director of City Development which seeks approval to proceed with all necessary legal and operational steps to implement the temporary Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO), informed by consideration of alternative approaches, and legal review of the ability and risk of pursuing any alternative approach.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

i)              Agrees to make the Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation

Order (ATTRO) on the recommendation of the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, as advised by the National Vehicle Threat Mitigation Unit, Counter Terrorism Security Advisors and National Protective Security Authority (noting that refusal to implement an ATTRO after receipt of a compliant recommendation from a Chief Constable would be an unprecedented event nationally).

ii)             Considers a full assessment, including need, risk and risk

mitigation assessment, of the various forms of vehicular access historically permitted to the footstreets area during the Christmas Markets, to be presented to Executive at the earliest opportunity, so arrangements are in place for the opening of York’s Christmas Market 2025.

Reason: Executive must reach a decision which is reasonable and

proportionate having fully considered all relevant matters. Executive must have strong defensible legal grounds for refusing to make an ATTRO requested by the Chief Constable, and on legal and wider officer review of the specific circumstances, no such grounds are apparent. Refusal to implement an ATTRO after receipt of a compliant recommendation from a Chief Constable would be an unprecedented event nationally.

(This item was dealt with in accordance with Paragraph 15.1 of Appendix 7 to the Constitution under urgent business.)

The Director of City Development submitted a report which sought approval to proceed with all necessary legal and operational steps to implement the temporary Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO), informed by consideration of alternative approaches, and legal review of the ability and risk of pursuing any alternative approach.

The following information was appended to the report:

-       Submission by Tim Forber, Chief Constable at North Yorkshire Police

-       Equalities Impact Assessment

-       Details of previous consultation analysis.

Garry Taylor, Director of City Development presented the report and responded to members’ questions and comments.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      Confirmation from the Director of City Development that the ATTRO letter was received from the Chief Constable on 26 September 2025 and subsequently there was a need to consider implications arising from the recommendation, particularly any legal requirements. The Council also had wider duties to balance in terms of accessibility.

·      The Director of City Development advised that a thorough search had been undertaken and there was no record of an ATTRO recommendation that had not been complied with.

·      It was advised that legal implications of not complying with the ATTRO recommendation could include a judicial review of the Council’s decision. The Home Secretary also retained the right to direct the Council to implement the ATTRO. In addition, there was a need to consider the potential for corporate manslaughter charges brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) if a serious incident occurred.

·      Clarification was sought about details of the meeting that took place on 10 September 2025 that had been referred to. It was advised that this was an Advisory Group meeting and there had been no formal recommendation from the Chief Constable at that point.

·      The importance of receiving a report back to Executive detailing potential mitigations that could be put in place to reduce the number of people excluded from the city centre balanced against identified risks.

·      Consideration that if events could not be made fully accessible for residents, then there was a need to review whether it was appropriate for these types of events to continue in the city centre.

·      Clarification sought about consideration of the item as an urgent item of business. The Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer advised that consideration of the item complied with access to information regulations since it was not a key decision as referenced in both the forward plan and the report. It was acknowledged that late publication of the report was not desirable, but it was lawful. The item had been added to the agenda as an urgent item of business and the report had been published on the council’s website as soon as it had been made available.

·      The Leader of the Council reported that there had been insufficient time between receipt of the letter from the Chief Constable and the Executive meeting to work through the various options, particularly in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145.

To consider a report from the Director of Public Health report presenting a strategy for York which is intended to improve the lives of Autistic people and people with ADHD, of all ages.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive approves the York’s All-age Autism and ADHD Strategy 2025-2030, ‘A City that Works for All’.

Reason: To fulfil our statutory duty to arrange plans and policies in

response to the National Autism Strategy, and progress key

partnership working to improve the health and wellbeing of people

in York who are Autistic and/or have ADHD.

The Director of Public Health submitted a report which presented a strategy for York intended to improve the lives of Autistic people and people with ADHD, of all ages.

The following officers attended the meeting for this item:

-       Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health

-       Jodie Farquharson, Head of Public Health (Healthy Child Service).

The following information was appended to the report:

-       A City that Works for All: York’s All-age Autism and ADHD Strategy 2025-2030

-       Equalities Impact Assessment.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      The Leader of the Council highlighted the earlier request from one of the public participants in relation to development of an action plan to consider the level of progress made against the strategy. In addition, that there were opportunities for individuals and groups to become involved as part of the leadership summit work being undertaken across York and North Yorkshire. It was agreed that a response was to be provided in due course.

·      The Executive Member wished to place on record her thanks to all those involved in contributing to development of the strategy. This included, officers, people with lived experience, academics, parents, carers as well as public participants in attendance.

·      Acknowledging the importance of embedding a new standard of inclusion, which recognised that neurodivergent people were a significant and valued part of the population. It included a commitment that adjustments must be made based on need rather than a diagnoses.

·      Positive engagement with Healthwatch York and academic partners from the University of York neurodiverse research unit to ensure the approach was evidence informed and locally relevant.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive approves the York’s All-age Autism and ADHD Strategy 2025-2030, ‘A City that Works for All’.

Reason: To fulfil our statutory duty to arrange plans and policies in

response to the National Autism Strategy, and progress key

partnership working to improve the health and wellbeing of people

in York who are Autistic and/or have ADHD.

To consider a report from the Assistant Director, Education and Skills presenting York’s Inclusion and Belonging Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy 2025–2030 for approval by Executive.

(Annex A to follow)

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive approves the contents of the Inclusion and Belonging Special Educational Needs and Alternative Provision Strategy 2025-30.

Reason: The Inclusion and Belonging Special Educational Needs and Alternative Provision Strategy 2025-30 aims to improve the educational health and emotional wellbeingoutcomes for all York’s children and young people with SEND and achieve improvements in their provision. It is aligned with the nationalagenda around inclusion and belonging.

The Assistant Director, Education and Skills submitted a report which presented York’s Inclusion and Belonging Special Educational Needs and Alternative Provision Strategy 2025–2030.

The following information was appended to the report:

-       York Inclusion and Belonging Special Educational Needs and Alternative Provision Strategy 2025–2030

-       Equalities Impact Assessment

-       Data Protection Impact Assessment Screening Questionnaire.

The following officers attended the meeting for this item:

-       Martin Kelly, Corporate Director, Children’s and Education

-       Maxine Squire, Assistant Director of Education and Skills

-       Victoria Coyle, Head of Integrated SEND.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      There was concern about the national approach to SEND with many parents, carers and professionals highlighting the need for improvements.

·      An update on locally established positive approaches, particularly development of the SEND hub, which served as the public face of support services.

·      Recognition that whilst at the forefront of a modern inclusive education system there was still a great deal more work to be done.

·      The important development of co-production with special thanks to those involved with the Parent and Carer Forum for their positive contributions and demonstrating their lived experience of dealing with a complex system.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive approves the contents of the Inclusion and Belonging Special Educational Needs and Alternative Provision Strategy 2025-30.

Reason: The Inclusion and Belonging Special Educational Needs and Alternative Provision Strategy 2025-30 aims to improve the educational health and emotional wellbeingoutcomes for all York’s children and young people with SEND and achieve improvements in their provision. It is aligned with the nationalagenda around inclusion and belonging.

(Councillor Bob Webb left the meeting at 6.00pm at the conclusion of this item.)

(The meeting adjourned at 6.00pm and reconvened at 6.10pm.)

To consider a report from the Director of City Development presenting the conclusions of the Examiner’s Report and recommending Executive endorse the Examiner’s recommendations to enable the Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to Referendum, as set out in the Decision Statement.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

i)              Agrees the Examiner’s modifications set out at Annex C

(Table 1) to the Submission Draft Copmanthorpe Neighbourhood Plan (Annex A) and that inclusive of those modifications the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions and other legislative requirements.

ii)              Agrees that the Submission Draft Copmanthorpe

Neighbourhood Plan, as amended, proceeds to a local

referendum based on the neighbourhood area as noted in the

Examiner’s Report (Annex B).

iii)           Approves the Decision Statement attached at Annex C to

be published on the City of York Council’s website.

Reason: To allow the Neighbourhood Plan to progress in line with

neighbourhood planning legislation.

(iv) Agrees that delegated authority is given to the Director of City

Development to approve and publish a Decision Statement in

accordance with the statutory requirements:

a)    should the outcome of the local referendum be in favour

of adopting the Neighbourhood Plan, and the Copmanthorpe Neighbourhood Plan can be formally‘made’; or

b)   should the outcome of the local referendum not be in

favour of adopting the Neighbourhood Plan, and the

Copmanthorpe Neighbourhood Plan is formally rejected

and the Plan cannot be made.

Reason: To conclude the Neighbourhood Plan process expediently.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which presented the conclusions of the Examiner’s Report and recommended Executive endorsed the Examiner’s recommendations to enable the Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to Referendum, as set out in the Decision Statement.

The following information was appended to the report:

-       Copmanthorpe Neighbourhood Plan (Submission version)

-       Examiner’s Report

-       Draft Decision Statement

-       Equalities Impact Assessment.

The following officers attended the meeting for this item:

-       Alison Cooke, Head of Strategic Planning Policy

-       John Roberts, Strategic Planning Policy Officer.

The Executive Member wished to place on record his thanks to all those involved with development of the plan, which included the parish council, the neighbourhood planning team as well as officers.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

i)              Agrees the Examiner’s modifications set out at Annex C

(Table 1) to the Submission Draft Copmanthorpe Neighbourhood Plan (Annex A) and that inclusive of those modifications the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions and other legislative requirements.

ii)              Agrees that the Submission Draft Copmanthorpe

Neighbourhood Plan, as amended, proceeds to a local

referendum based on the neighbourhood area as noted in the

Examiner’s Report (Annex B).

iii)           Approves the Decision Statement attached at Annex C to

be published on the City of York Council’s website.

Reason: To allow the Neighbourhood Plan to progress in line with

neighbourhood planning legislation.

(iv) Agrees that delegated authority is given to the Director of City

Development to approve and publish a Decision Statement in

accordance with the statutory requirements:

a)    should the outcome of the local referendum be in favour

of adopting the Neighbourhood Plan, and the Copmanthorpe Neighbourhood Plan can be formally ‘made’; or

b)   should the outcome of the local referendum not be in

favour of adopting the Neighbourhood Plan, and the

Copmanthorpe Neighbourhood Plan is formally rejected

and the Plan cannot be made.

Reason: To conclude the Neighbourhood Plan process expediently.

To consider a report from the Director of Housing and Communities presenting an update on the work carried out by the Housing Delivery Programme to date and which seeks to support to continue this work to deliver additional affordable housing sites and develop an ongoing pipeline of new build housing sites.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

a)    Approves the award of the construction contract for the

development of Ordnance Lane to the successful bidder and

delegates authority to the Director of Housing and Communities (in consultation with the Director of Governance) to enter into the contract once finalised.

b)    Recommends to Full Council a construction and delivery

budget totalling £37.9m which includes HRA borrowing

totalling up to £13.0m.

c)     Hospital Fields Road site is appropriated from the General

Fund into the HRA for £1.85m as per independent RICS

valuation.

d)    Agrees to the application to Homes England for funding to

deliver the Shared Ownership properties on Ordnance Lane

and accepts, if successful, and delegates authority to the

Director of Housing and Communities (in consultation with

the Director of Finance and the Director of Governance) to

enter into any resulting grant funding agreements.

e)    Agrees the proposed tenure mix of 100% affordable housing

split between 50 Social Rent homes and 51 Shared Ownership homes on Ordnance Lane.

f)      Agrees to utilise the existing project budget to procure a

contractor to operate under a Pre-Contract Services Agreement to collaboratively design Willow House to RIBA 4 and price the design to enable a full business case in respect of the development at Willow House to be presented to Executive for approval and delegates authority to the Director of Housing and Communities (in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Director of Governance) to take such steps as are necessary to procure, award and enter into the resulting pre-contract services agreement.

g)    Agrees to the procurement of an enabling contractor for

Willow House to prepare the site for development utilising

YNYCA Brownfield Funding to deliver this work and to

delegate authority to the Director of Housing and

Communities (in consultation with the Director of Finance

Officer and the Director of Governance) to take such steps

as are necessary to procure, award and enter into the

resulting contract.

h)    Agrees to the procurement of a contractor to work

collaboratively to design Lowfield A to RIBA 4 and price this

design to enable a full business case to be presented to the

Executive for approval and to delegate authority to the

Director of Housing and Communities (in consultation with

the Director of Finance and the Director of Governance) to

take such steps as are necessary to procure, award and

enter into the resulting design contract.

i)     Agrees to the procurement of a multidisciplinary design team

to lead the design work on the Former Manor School site

and delegates authority to the Director of Housing and

Communities (in consultation with the Director of Finance

and the Director of Governance) to take such steps as are

necessary to procure, award and enter into the resulting

contract.

j)      Pending successful bid for YNYCA Brownfield Fund, agrees

to the development of designs and submission of a

planning application on the Former Manor School site.

k)     Delegates authority for the future allocation of

Neighbourhood Improvement Programme (NIP) funding to

the Director of  ...  view the full decision text for item 149.

The Director of Housing and Communities submitted a report which presented an update on the work carried out by the Housing Delivery Programme to date and which seeks to continue this work to deliver additional affordable housing sites and develop an ongoing pipeline of new build housing sites.

The following information was appended to the report:

-       Ordnance Lane Business Case (exempt from publication)

-       Willow House Red line Plan

-       Draft Walmgate Improvement Proposals

-       Ordnance Lane Red line Plan

-       Lowfield A Red line Plan

-       Former Manor School Site Red line plan

-       Askham Bar Red line Plan

-       Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA).

The following officers attended for this item:

-       Pauline Stuchfield, Director of Housing and Communities

-       Sophie Round, Housing Delivery Programme Manager.

The Executive Member thanked the housing delivery team for the considerable amount of work that had been undertaken in relation to housing development. Members and officers particularly thanked Sophie Round, Housing Delivery Programme Manager, who it was noted was shortly leaving the Council to take up a new role.

There was a brief discussion about the challenges associated with delivery of 100% affordable housing, which involved redesign work to ensure viable schemes that saved money for residents, particularly in terms of energy bills.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

a)    Approves the award of the construction contract for the

development of Ordnance Lane to the successful bidder and

delegates authority to the Director of Housing and Communities (in consultation with the Director of Governance) to enter into the contract once finalised.

b)    Recommends to Full Council a construction and delivery

budget totalling £37.9m which includes HRA borrowing

totalling up to £13.0m.

c)     Hospital Fields Road site is appropriated from the General

Fund into the HRA for £1.85m as per independent RICS

valuation.

d)    Agrees to the application to Homes England for funding to

deliver the Shared Ownership properties on Ordnance Lane

and accepts, if successful, and delegates authority to the

Director of Housing and Communities (in consultation with

the Director of Finance and the Director of Governance) to

enter into any resulting grant funding agreements.

e)    Agrees the proposed tenure mix of 100% affordable housing

split between 50 Social Rent homes and 51 Shared Ownership homes on Ordnance Lane.

f)      Agrees to utilise the existing project budget to procure a

contractor to operate under a Pre-Contract Services Agreement to collaboratively design Willow House to RIBA 4 and price the design to enable a full business case in respect of the development at Willow House to be presented to Executive for approval and delegates authority to the Director of Housing and Communities (in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Director of Governance) to take such steps as are necessary to procure, award and enter into the resulting pre-contract services agreement.

g)    Agrees to the procurement of an enabling contractor for

Willow House to prepare the site for development utilising

YNYCA Brownfield Funding to deliver this work and to

delegate authority to the Director  ...  view the full minutes text for item 149.

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Regulatory Services presenting the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive delegates authority to theDirector of Environmental and Regulatory Services to commence public consultation, as referenced in the report.

Reason: To comply with consultation requirements.

The Director of Environment and Regulatory Services submitted a report which presented the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

The following information was appended to the report:

-       City of York Council Flood Risk Management Strategy

-       Equalities Impact Assessment.

The following officers attended the meeting for this item:

-       Dave Atkinson, Director of Environment and Regulatory Services

-       Mark Henderson, Flood Risk Manager.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      An acknowledgement of the positive work that had been undertaken to better understanding flood risk in York and measures in place to mitigate identified risks.

·      Confirmation that internal consultation had already been undertaken with the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and Internal Drainage Boards. Public consultation was to be undertaken over a 12-week period to ensure an inclusive approach to the strategy.

·      The Executive Member highlighted the importance of this area of work particularly given recent flood events and the changes in climate and weather patterns.

·      The important role of Elected Members in publicising the public consultation to local communities.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive delegates authority to theDirector of Environmental and Regulatory Services to commence public consultation, as referenced in the report.

Reason: To comply with consultation requirements.

To consider a report from the Director of City Development presenting two connected projects for approval. Firstly, a range of infrastructure improvements to five Park and Ride sites to be funded through Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) grant.  Secondly, a two-year extension to the contract for the operation of Park and Ride bus services is proposed to enable continuity of service until wider conversations with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) are concluded.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

1)    Approves £4m of BSIP1 funding and £250k of allocated

YNYCA Bus Grant funding to deliver Park and Ride site improvements as outlined in Annex A.

Reason: To modernise old facilities for existing and future Park

and Ride users and to attract more passengers to use Park and

Ride services.

2)    Delegates authority to the Director of City Development (in

consultation with the Director of Governance and the Head of

Procurement) to implement the proposed Park and Ride site

Infrastructure improvements and to carry out any required

procurement processes and to take such steps as are necessary

to procure, award and enter into the resulting contracts.

Reason: To ensure expedient delivery of the projects.

3)   Delegates authority to the Director of City Development (in

consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Director of

Governance) to explore and implement further income

opportunities associated with Park and Ride including setting

fees for overnight parking.

Reason: To further support the financial viability of Park and Ride

provision.

4)    Delegates authority to the Director of City Development (in

consultation with the Director of Governance and the Head of

Procurement) to agree an extension to the existing Park and

Ride contract and any associated leases, of not more than two

years duration, and to take such steps as are necessary to enter

into the resulting variation and extension agreement and lease

extensions.

Reason: To provide continuation of service and to enable the

results of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority bus

network review to be incorporated into the new Park and Ride

contract.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which presented two connected projects for approval. Firstly, a range of infrastructure improvements to five Park and Ride sites to be funded through Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) grant.  Secondly, a two-year extension to the contract for the operation of Park and Ride bus services was proposed to enable continuity of service until wider conversations with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) were concluded.

The following information was appended to the report:

-       Park and Ride site improvements

-       Park and Ride site improvement consultation summary

-       Equalities Impact Assessment.

The following officers attended for this item:

-       Garry Taylor, Director of City Development

-       Tom Horner, Head of Transport Policy and Travel

-       Behaviour.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      The Executive Member reported that it was 35 years since park and ride was formally opened in 1990 with the opening of Askham Bar park and ride. York had the largest park and ride in the UK with nearly 5,000 parking spaces around the outside of the city centre at six different sites. It was one of the most successful in the country with around 3.8 million journeys in 2024.

·      Further investment provided an opportunity to improve passenger experience. There had been a positive response to the consultation exercise with over 1,000 people submitting a response. One important development was the creation of integrated transport hubs so that a wide range of people could access different locations. Overnight parking was another strong ask and had been tied in with extended park and ride hours that had already been implemented.

·      Ensuring a more accessible offer, which included, changing places, toilets, accessible EV charging and more spacious blue badge parking. It supported a commitment to enabling people to choose sustainable travel options and to reduce congestion in the city centre.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

1)    Approves £4m of BSIP1 funding and £250k of allocated

YNYCA Bus Grant funding to deliver Park and Ride site improvements as outlined in Annex A.

Reason: To modernise old facilities for existing and future Park

and Ride users and to attract more passengers to use Park and

Ride services.

2)    Delegates authority to the Director of City Development (in

consultation with the Director of Governance and the Head of

Procurement) to implement the proposed Park and Ride site

Infrastructure improvements and to carry out any required

procurement processes and to take such steps as are necessary

to procure, award and enter into the resulting contracts.

Reason: To ensure expedient delivery of the projects.

3)   Delegates authority to the Director of City Development (in

consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Director of

Governance) to explore and implement further income

opportunities associated with Park and Ride including setting

fees for overnight parking.

Reason: To further support the financial viability of Park and Ride

provision.

4)    Delegates authority to the Director of City Development (in

consultation with the Director of Governance and the Head of

Procurement) to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151.

To consider a report from the Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services which seeks approval of schemes for investment through the application of agreed criteria.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

1.     Agrees the schemes detailed in Paragraph 26 and Annex 1.

Reason: To commence the Council parks, gardens, play areas

and open spaces investment programme.

2.     Notes the schemes detailed in Paragraph 28 and Annex 1.

Reason: To allow further investigation into the practicality and

cost of these possible schemes.

3.     Requests a follow up report for July 2026.

Reason: To monitor progress and, subject to the available

budget, agree a second phase of work.

The Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services submitted a report which sought approval of schemes for investment through the application of agreed criteria.

The following information was appended to the report:

-       Sites recommended for investment and further investigation

-       Site Scores and provisional budget allocation

-       Equalities Impact Assessment.

The following officers attended for this item:

-       Dave Atkinson, Director of Environment and Regulatory Services

-       Ian Hoult, Head of Environmental Services

-       Dave Meigh, Operations Manager.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      Confirmation that a dedicated project resource was in place from 1 November 2025. Work had also been undertaken in relation to procurement and contract management arrangements.

·      The Executive Member highlighted the importance of investment, particularly linked to the Local Plan and ensuring a coherent strategy was in place.

·      The Executive Member also welcomed the long overdue investment at Hall Road. It was reported that residents and campaigners had been tirelessly calling for improvements for many years. The £500k investment would result in improvements across the city and provide vital spaces for families, children, older people and anyone who wanted to enjoy the outdoors.

·      In response to comments about King George Field, the Leader of the Council advised that it was on the list. It was advised that structural and engineering input was required to address accessibility, which was likely to be very expensive. This had been reflected in the recommendations, which included projects that were not feasible at the current time with an acknowledgement that there was still more work to be done.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

1.     Agrees the schemes detailed in Paragraph 26 and Annex 1.

Reason: To commence the Council parks, gardens, play areas

and open spaces investment programme.

2.     Notes the schemes detailed in Paragraph 28 and Annex 1.

Reason: To allow further investigation into the practicality and

cost of these possible schemes.

3.     Requests a follow up report for July 2026.

Reason: To monitor progress and, subject to the available

budget, agree a second phase of work.

To consider a report from the Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services presenting options for the operation of the city’s Household Waste Recycling Centre’s (HWRC).

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

i)              Approves the introduction of a accessible, flexible online

booking system for Hazel Court HWRC only. Initially for 12

months and monitor traffic congestion, and success through

customer satisfaction. This will also require an option for

residents to phone and book a slot to ensure we offer an

accessible service to all.

Reason: To reduce the traffic congestion on Hazel Court

and James Street, mitigate risks to all types of road users

and allow local businesses to operate business as usual.

ii)              Agrees that Towthorpe HWRC will operate without a

Booking system in place and remain as an open to attend.

Reason:So there are no obstructions in place and residents

remain to have a flexible site they are able to access ad-hoc.

iii)            Notes a number of options will be considered during

the transition to a booking system that will give residents that

opportunity to dispose of limited streams (e.g. garden waste,

wood) at local sites.

Reason: To ensure residents are able to manage their

household waste in during the transition.

iv)           Notes that longer term options for Household Waste

Recycling Centres in York are being explored.

The Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services submitted a report which presented options for the operation of the city’s Household Waste Recycling Centre’s (HWRC).

The following information was appended to the report:

-       Resident split in relation to HWRC location

-       HWRC Heat Map

-       HWRC Material Tonnages (3 years)

-       HWRC average visits per day, per site (3 years)

-       HWRC September 2025 resident visits.

The following officers attended for this item:

-       Dave Atkinson, Director of Environment and Regulatory Services

-       Ian Hoult, Head of Environmental Services.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      Officers reported an increase in little but often visits to HWRCs. Work had been undertaken to try and ensure residents made use of other HWRCs, not just Hazel Court, and avoided busy periods wherever possible.

·      The Executive Member reported that whilst the number of visits to Hazel Court HWRC had increased the volume of waste had reduced. One key issue was people going to HWRCs not necessarily with vehicles full of waste.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

i)              Approves the introduction of a accessible, flexible online

booking system for Hazel Court HWRC only. Initially for 12

months and monitor traffic congestion, and success through

customer satisfaction. This will also require an option for

residents to phone and book a slot to ensure we offer an

accessible service to all.

Reason: To reduce the traffic congestion on Hazel Court

and James Street, mitigate risks to all types of road users

and allow local businesses to operate business as usual.

ii)              Agrees that Towthorpe HWRC will operate without a

Booking system in place and remain as an open to attend.

Reason:So there are no obstructions in place and residents

remain to have a flexible site they are able to access ad-hoc.

iii)            Notes a number of options will be considered during

the transition to a booking system that will give residents that

opportunity to dispose of limited streams (e.g. garden waste,

wood) at local sites.

Reason: To ensure residents are able to manage their

household waste in during the transition.

iv)           Notes that longer term options for Household Waste

Recycling Centres in York are being explored.

Any other business which the Chair considers urgent under the Local Government Act 1972.

York Christmas Market 2025 – Implementation of Temporary Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (Minute no. 144 refers) was dealt with as an urgent item of business in accordance with Paragraph 15.1 of Appendix 7 to the Constitution.

There were no other urgent items of business to consider.