C I T Y   O F   Y O R K   C O U N C I L

S U M M O N S

 

All Councillors, relevant Council Officers and other interested parties and residents are formally invited to attend a  meeting of the City of York Council at West Offices, Station Rise, York, to consider the business contained in this agenda on the following date and time

 

 

 

Thursday, 20 July 2023 at 6.30 pm

 


 

A G E N D A

 

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1.         Declarations of Interest 

 

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:

 

Type of Interest

You must:

 

 

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Disclose the interest; not participate in the discussion or vote; and leave the meeting unless you have a dispensation.

 

 

Other Registrable Interests (Directly Related)

OR

Non-Registrable Interests (Directly Related)

Disclose the interest; speak on the item only if the public are also allowed to speak but otherwise not participate in the discussion or vote; and leave the meeting unless you have a dispensation.

 

 

 

Other Registrable Interests (Affects)

OR

Non-Registrable Interests (Affects)

 

Disclose the interest; remain in the meeting, participate, and vote unless the matter affects the financial interest or well-being:

(a) to a greater extent than it affects the financial interests of a majority of inhabitants of the affected ward; and

(b) a reasonable member of the public knowing all the facts would believe that it would affect your view of the wider public interest,in which case speak on the item only if the public are also allowed to speak, but otherwise not do not participate in the discussion or vote, and leave the meeting, unless you have a dispensation.

 

(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.

 

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2.         Minutes  (Pages 1 - 24)

 

To approve and sign the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 23 March 2023 and the Annual Council meeting held on 25 May 2023.

 

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3.         Civic Announcements 

 

To consider any announcements made by the Lord Mayor in respect of Civic business.

 

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4.         Public Participation 

 

At this point in the meeting, any member of the public who has registered to address the Council, or to ask a Member of the Council a question, on a matter directly relevant to the business of the Council or the City, may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Tuesday, 18 July 2023.

 

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.

 

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

www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

 

During coronavirus, we made some changes to how we're running council meetings.  See our updates at www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy for more information on meetings and decisions.

 

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5.         Petitions 

 

To consider any petitions received from Members in accordance with Standing Order B5.  Notice has been received of one petition, to be presented by:

·        Cllr Nelson, on behalf of residents of Acomb, regarding the Front Street Regeneration Project.

 

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6.         Report of Executive Leader, Questions, and Executive Recommendations  (Pages 25 - 32)

 

 To receive and consider a written report from the Leader and ask questions on the work of the Executive, and to consider the Executive recommendations for approval, as set out below:

 

Meeting

Date

Recommendations

 

Executive

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive

 

 

 

15 June 2023

 https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=733&MId=13918

 

13 July 2023

https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=733&MId=13919

 

 

Minute 11: Capital Programme Outturn 2022/23 and Revisions to the 2023/24-2027/28 Programme     

 

 

Minute 20: Anti-Racism & Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan

(to follow)

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7.         Report of Deputy Leader and Questions  (Pages 33 - 34)

 

To receive and consider a written report from the Deputy Leader and, to question the Deputy Leader thereon.

 

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8.         Motions on Notice 

 

To consider the following Motions on Notice under Standing Order B13:

Motions submitted for consideration directly by Council, in accordance with Standing Order 22.1

 

(i)      From Cllr Ravilious

 

Safeguarding York’s Future

“Council notes:

  • In 2019, City of York Council declared a Climate Emergency and committed to a target of making York carbon neutral by 2030;
  • That over 200 Local Authorities have so far pledged to support the Climate and Ecology Bill – a Private Member’s Bill brought to parliament by Olivia Blake MP - which, if it becomes law, would require the development of a strategy to ensure that the UK’s environmental response is in line with the latest science;
  • In March 2023, City of York Council adopted a 10 year Climate Strategy;
  • The failure to update York’s Local Transport Plan since it was adopted in 2011, despite improved understanding of the impact of transport on the climate;
  • City of York Council’s adoption of a Pollinator Strategy in 2021.

 

Council believes:

  • the wording of the 2019 cross-party approved Climate Emergency Motion called for significantly more urgent action than the responses that the previous administration delivered;
  • the ecological crisis should be tackled shoulder to shoulder with the climate crisis through a more joined-up approach, with a focus on reversing the destruction of nature by 2030, not just halting it;
  • the 10 Year Climate Change Strategy lacked sufficient commitment, in particular through the omission of intermediate carbon reduction targets;
  • any updated Local Transport Plan should reflect and improve on the targets for reductions in greenhouse emissions from private vehicle and freight journeys set out within the current 10 year Climate Change Strategy and previously adopted motions;
  • there has not yet been enough tangible action to reflect the admirable ambitions set out in York’s adopted Pollinator Strategy.

 

Council therefore resolves to request:  

  • that the Lord Mayor and Executive Members begin Full Council, Executive meetings and Executive Member Decision Sessions respectively by reminding Members of the remaining days until 1st January 2030, by which time we have pledged to be carbon neutral and requesting that Members keep this at the forefront of their minds when taking decisions;
  • that the Leader writes to our local MPs urging them to sign up to support the Climate & Ecology Bill, or thanking them for already doing so; and write to Zero Hour, and organisers of the cross-party campaign for the Climate & Ecology Bill, expressing its support;

-       request that the Executive develops a process that demonstrates clear commitment to a strengthened York 10-year Climate Change Strategy by exploring a series of intermediate carbon reduction targets, following exploration of the topic at Corporate and Climate Scrutiny Committee and following receipt of an options report to Executive;

  • that the Executive Member for Transport brings forward an updated Local Transport Plan that reflects the latest science and which includes ambitious targets in line with a strengthened York 10 year Climate Strategy;
  • that the Executive Members for Environment and Climate Emergency take steps to implement the actions that deliver on the Pollinator Strategy to achieve a measurable increase in biodiversity.”

 

(ii)      From Cllr Fenton

 

Highway Maintenance

“Council notes:

·        That the council’s Highways Schemes budget for 2023/24, agreed in February 2023, is £8.929 million (including £1.174 million carried forward from 2022/23) and that this is supplemented with an additional pothole funding allocation of £504,000 for 2023/24 from the Department for Transport

·        That In 2020/21 the Government cut York’s highways maintenance funding from £4m to £2.8m and confirmed that funding would remain at this lower level for three years. This amounts to a total cut of £4.8m - equivalent to 19,000 fewer potholes being repaired each year

·        That in the budget agreed in February 2023, an additional £250,000 was allocated to allow local wards to invest directly in improvements such as repairing local roads

·        That the current high level of inflation means that available funding for highway maintenance is even more stretched

·        That officers estimate that it would cost £190 million to bring York’s highways network up to an excellent standard

·        That in recent years there have been a number of additional pressures on the council’s budget, such as the installation of new infrastructure in response to Police and counter-terrorism advice on the risk of a city centre hostile vehicle attack

·        That the council’s current Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan was adopted in 2021

·        That the council’s current Highways Safety Inspection Manual was adopted in 2020 and, as envisaged when adopted, is currently subject to a review by officers

·        That the ‘investigatory level’ for potholes is 40mm vertical face depth and

200mm across in any horizontal direction and that for ‘cycle lanes’ the level is 20mm vertical face depth, but there is no reference in the Manual to ‘cycle margins’ ie the section of road near to the kerb but which is not a marked lane

·        That in York there are a large number of concrete roads which, some years ago, were overlaid with a tarmac layer approximately 30mm in depth and that the tarmac layer on many of these roads is crumbling, causing potholes to develop

·        That due to the concrete structure of these roads remaining largely intact, these potholes are unlikely to ever meet the investigatory threshold set out in the Manual.

Council believes:

·        That poor road surfaces pose a hazard to cyclists, pedestrians, wheelchair and mobility scooter users, motorcyclists and motorists

·        That concrete roads with a tarmac top layer pose a particular hazard in that when the tarmac begins to fail, this can be rapid and widespread and lead to a significant length of road becoming difficult and dangerous to use, particularly for cyclists

·        That whilst funding for Highway maintenance is likely to continue to be stretched, more specific consideration needs to be given to the maintenance of concrete roads with a tarmac top layer.

Council resolves to request that the Executive:

·        Expedites the review of the Highways Safety Inspection Manual

·        Requires that as part of this review, a change to the ‘investigatory level’ for potholes to 30mm vertical face depth is secured

·        Ensures that the relevant scrutiny committee and special interest groups (such as those relating to cycling and disability rights) are consulted to better understand the impacts of the current approach to highway maintenance as described in the Manual.”

 

(iii)     From Cllr Rowley

 

Getting York Moving Fairly

“Council notes the transport problems in York from 2019-2023, caused by an administration clashing with itself and the damage that this has done to the council’s reputation amongst residents. Council believes it is vital that sustainable modes of transport including cycling and walking are prioritised but opposes a war on the car user. Council also believes inclusivity for all is paramount and that rural transport users need greater recognition and disabled people should be at the forefront of provision.

For the next four year administration, Council asks the Executive to commits to:

1.   Look wherever possible to improve the cycle network, including better linking of villages

2.   Reverse the City Centre Blue Badge ban

3.   Rule out a Congestion Charge

4.   Address the stalled work on the dualling of the A1237.”

(iv)    From Cllr Nelson

 

A City Response to Food Insecurity

“This council notes:

·        in January 2023, 21.6% of family households reported children with direct experience of food insecurity and shortage in the past month, affecting an estimated 3.7 million children. This percentage had almost doubled in just 12 months;

·        in these households, 3 in 4 reported being worried about the impact of being unable to afford sufficient food on their children's physical and mental health;

·        food price inflation currently sits at 18.4%, amongst its highest rate in almost 50 years, leaving families facing tough choices about what goes into the shopping basket each week;

·        problems faced by children and young people due to food insecurity and shortage go way beyond just being hungry and affect mental health, obesity rates, dental health and other aspects of the child and their families’ life;

·        the benefits of growing food on mental and physical health;

·        the significant waiting lists for all allotment sites across the city;

·        the impact small businesses and ‘micro-farmers’ can have on improving food security for local communities;

·        the benefits of local food production and ‘micro-farmers’ can have on the environment;

·        the contribution of growing and consuming local food on the future of York as a sustainable city.

Council believes that at a time of such economic turmoil, providing greater access to cheap, healthy, locally grown food could help avert poor health outcomes for many York residents.    

This council resolves to ask the Executive to:

·        write a letter to the Prime Minister and relevant ministers about the importance of introducing auto-enrolment for those entitled to free school meals;

·        promote enrolment for free school meals to support children, young people and their families to help combat food insecurity and shortage in York;

·        encourage larger food providers in and around York to sign up to York’s Good Business Charter, including paying the Real Living Wage;

·        work more closely with groups like Edible York and YACIO (York Allotments Charitable Incorporated Organisation) to develop ideas for increasing the number of public green spaces available for food production by communities across York;

·        request that the council’s scrutiny function undertakes a review of community food growing opportunities and makes recommendations to Executive to expand these opportunities, including considering the prospects for expanding an Edible York project in Tang Hall to other parts of the city to bring more underused gardens into use for food growing.”

 

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9.         Questions to the Leader or Executive Members 

 

To question the Leader and/or Executive Members in respect of any matter within their portfolio responsibility, in accordance with Standing Order B11.

 

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10.      Report of Executive Member  (Pages 35 - 42)

 

To receive a written report from the Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects and Equalities, and to question the Executive Member thereon, in accordance with Standing Orders B9 and B10.  This report also includes proposals in relation to a Budget amendment, on which a named vote will be taken.

 

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11.      Public Footpath Copmanthorpe No 2 - Proposed closure of Level Crossing and Footpath Diversion - City of York Council Objection to Network Rail's Application under the Provisions of the Transport and Works Act 1992  (Pages 43 - 54)

 

To consider a report of the Director of Transport, Environment & Planning seeking Council’s endorsement of an objection to  the above application for the proposed closure of a pedestrian level crossing and the diversion of the existing public footpath between Copmanthorpe and Bishopthorpe.

 

 

 

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12.      Update on Governance Arrangements for the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO)  (Pages 55 - 120)

 

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer which seeks approval to sign a revised Management Agreement setting out the governance arrangements for the YPO Joint Management Committee following a review.

 

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13.      Independent Remuneration Panel  (Pages 121 - 124)

 

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer seeking approval of  proposed appointments to the Independent Remuneration Panel that will review the allowances and entitlements given to elected Members.

 

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14.      Independent Person - Audit & Governance Committee  (Pages 125 - 128)

 

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer which seeks approval to provisionally extend the term of office of the currently appointed Independent Person on the Audit & Governance Committee for a further 2 years.

 

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15.      Appointments and Changes to Membership  (Pages 129 - 130)

 

To consider the appointments and changes to membership of committees and outside bodies set out on the list attached to this summons.

 

 

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16.      Urgent Business 

 

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

 

 

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Democratic Services officer

 

Fiona Young

Contact details:

·        Telephone – (01904) 552030

·        Email fiona.young@york.gov.uk

 

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For more information about any of the following please contact the Democratic Services Officer responsible for servicing this meeting:

 

·        Registering to speak

·        Business of the meeting

·        Any special arrangements

·        Copies of reports and

·        For receiving reports in other formats

 

Contact details are set out above.