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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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Meeting |
Corporate Services, Climate Change and Scrutiny Management Committee |
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Date |
27 November 2023 |
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Present |
Councillors Fenton (Chair), Merrett (Vice-Chair), Ayre, J Burton, Healey, Kelly, D Myers, Steels-Walshaw, K Taylor, Waller, Widdowson, Wells (Substitute for Cllr Baxter) and Nicholls (Substitute for Cllr Rowley) |
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Apologies |
Councillors Baxter and Rowley |
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In Attendance |
Councillor Lomas (Executive Member, Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion) |
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Officers Present |
Neil Ferris, Corporate Director of Place David Warburton, Head of Regeneration Dawn Steel, Head of Democratic and Scrutiny Services Ruth Barton, Senior Lawyer |
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15. Declarations of Interest (5.33 pm)
Members were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on the agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests.
In respect of item 3 (the York Central Update), Cllr Merrett noted that he had been involved in making representations on the earlier planning applications for the site, which had since been determined.
16. Public Participation (5.34 pm)
It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, but that the registered speaker was not in attendance at the meeting.
17. York Central Update (5.34 pm)
The Corporate Director of Place and the Head of Regeneration provided an update for Members on the York Central project. The Corporate Director of Place outlined the council’s current and potential future role in the project. The Head of Regeneration noted that the York Central development had been a longstanding element of the city’s ambition for growth, and drew attention to the significant economic, housing, transport and sustainability benefits that the project would deliver for the city and wider region.
[Cllr Nicholls arrived at 5.38pm, Cllr J Burton at 5.44pm].
The officers responded to a variety of questions from Members which covered the financial situation and the Council’s exposure to risk, the appointment of a lead developer partner/investor, the possibility of increasing the proportion of affordable homes on the site, the timetable for the delivery of the various phases of the project, Enterprise Zone funding and the devolution deal, the opportunity for a Government Hub on the site, infrastructure development, rail connectivity, the number of jobs that would be created, disability access, and lessons learned from community engagement around the project.
During the discussion, officers noted that they were awaiting an announcement on the lead developer and that more information would be forthcoming following the announcement.
Resolved: That the York Central update be received with a further update scheduled in March 2024.
Reason: To keep the committee updated on this key project for the city.
[Cllrs Lomas and Taylor left the meeting at 7.11pm].
18. Monitoring and Tracking of Approved Council Motions (7.11 pm)
The Head of Democratic and Scrutiny Services provided an update on the monitoring and tracking of approved Council motions. She drew attention to Annex A to the report, which included details of motions approved by Full Council since January 2023, showing progress against implementation of any agreed actions. A written update was provided on the Introduction of Council Tax Premium for Second Homes motion; this stated that the relevant bill had not been passed to give Local Authorities the necessary powers to fulfil this. The same decision would be included in the budget papers to come into effect April 2025, should the Act be passed in time.
[Cllr Merrett left the meeting at 7.21pm].
The officer responded to questions from members on the progress and implementation of motions and the form in which the information was presented to the committee.
Resolved:
i. That the contents of Annex A to the report be noted;
ii. That the Chair and Vice-Chair review the format of future motions reports in consultation with Democratic Services officers.
Reason: To ensure that processes for monitoring and implementing approved Council motion resolutions remain sufficiently robust.
19. Schedule of Petitions (7.25 pm)
The Democracy and Member Support Manager provided an update on the schedule of petitions, covering petitions received since January 2023.
The officer responded to questions from members on the presentation of the schedule and mechanisms for monitoring the progress of petitions.
Resolved:
i. That the schedule of petitions recorded since January 2023 be noted;
ii. That the Chair and Vice-Chair review the format of the schedule of petitions in consultation with Democratic Services officers, with a view to a further report coming to the committee.
Reason: To ensure the Committee carries out its constitutional role in relation to petitions.
20. Work Plan (7.42pm)
Members considered the Scrutiny work plan for the four scrutiny committees.
Resolved: That the work plan be noted.
Reason: To ensure an overview of the scrutiny work programme.
Cllr S Fenton, Chair
[The meeting started at 5.33 pm and finished at 7.44 pm].