Minutes Template

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Lord Mayor's Opening Remarks

Before the formal business of the meeting began, the Lord Mayor invited all present to stand for a minute’s silent reflection in memory of the late Ian Gillies, former Councillor, Council Leader and Lord Mayor, and the late Mick Bradley, former Councillor, Lord Mayor, and Honorary Alderman.

She then welcomed Cllr Richard Watson on his return to the Council following his success at a recent by-election, and offered congratulations to Cllr Bob Webb, who had recently welcomed his first child.

The Lord Mayor also welcomed a group of international students from the University of York who were present to observe the meeting.

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57. Apologies for Absence (6:39 pm)

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Waudby.

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58. Declarations of Interest (6:39 pm)

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

None were declared.

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59. Minutes (6:39 pm)

Resolved: That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 November 2024 be approved and then signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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60. Civic Announcements (6:40 pm)

The Lord Mayor paid tribute to former Councillors Ian Gillies and Mick Bradley, PC Rosie Prior, and York D-Day veterans Joe Thomas and Joseph Wood, all of whom had sadly passed away since the last meeting of Council.

The Lord Mayor also gave a brief summary of the activities of the civic party over recent months, noting that she had met with representatives of over forty organisations. She highlighted the contribution to the city of all of York’s volunteers, charity workers and fundraisers, and offered her thanks to them for their efforts.

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61. Public Participation (6:43 pm)

It was reported that one member of the public had registered to speak at the meeting under the council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Gwen Swinburn spoke in relation to the Budget recommendations at Agenda item 8, expressing concern over a lack of effort to tackle deprivation in the city. She suggested that the Respark scheme could be expanded, and requested that Equalities Impact Assessments be provided for all spending decisions and that changes to the budget process be considered by Scrutiny.

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62. Petitions (6:48 pm)

It was reported that notice of no petitions had been received under Rule B6.

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63. Recommendations of the Executive in respect of the Capital Programme Monitor 3 2024/25 (6:48 pm)

Cllr Douglas moved, and Cllr Kilbane seconded, the following recommendation contained in Minute 75 of the Executive meeting held on 21 January 2025:

“Recommended:

i. Recommend to Full Council the adjustments resulting in a decrease in the 2024/25 budget of £20.923m as detailed in the report;

Reason: To enable the effective management and monitoring of the Council’s capital programme.”

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was declared CARRIED, and it was

Resolved: That the above recommendation be approved.

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64. Recommendations of Executive on the Council's Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30, Capital Budget 2025/26 to 2029/30, Capital Financing and Investment Strategy and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Prudential Indicators for 2025/26 to 2029/30 (6:50 pm)

Cllr Douglas moved, and Cllr Kilbane seconded, the following recommendations made by the Executive at its meeting on 21 January 2025 in relation to:

i) The Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30 (Revenue Budget)

ii) The Capital Budget 2025/26 to 2029/30

iii) The Capital Financing and Investment Strategy

iv) The Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Prudential Indicators 2025/26 to 2029/30

as set out in paragraphs 14 to 17 of the report at Agenda Item 8 on the Council agenda:

“Revenue Budget

Executive recommends that Council:

i. Approves the budget proposals outlined in the Financial Strategy report and in particular;

a) The net revenue expenditure requirement of £156.921m

b) A council tax requirement of £120.180m

c) The revenue growth proposals as outlined in paragraphs 51 to 53

d) The 2025/26 revenue savings proposals as outlined in annex 2

e) The fees and charges proposals as outlined in annex 3

f) The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 25/26 budget set out in annex 5

g) The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) proposals outlined from paragraph 141

h) The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Policy set out in annex 7

ii. Notes that the effect of approving the income and expenditure proposals included in the recommendations would result in a 4.99% increase in the City of York Council element of the council tax, 2% of which would relate to the social care precept.

Reason: To ensure a legally balanced budget is set.

Capital Budget 2025/26 to 2029/30

Executive recommends that Council approves the budget proposals outlined in the Capital Budget 2025/26 to 2029/30 and in particular:

i. Agree to the revised capital programme of £385.383m that reflects a net overall increase of £60.947m (as set out in table 2 and in Annex 1). Key elements of this include:

a) New schemes funded by prudential borrowing totalling £8.150m as set out in table 3;

b) Extension of prudential borrowing funded Rolling Programme schemes totalling £24.712m as set out in table 4;

c) Extension of externally funded Rolling Programme schemes totalling £11.935m as set out in table 5;

d) An increase in HRA funded schemes totalling £16.150m funded from a combination HRA balances/capital receipts as set out in table 6;

ii. Note the total increase in Council borrowing as a result of new schemes being recommended for approval is £32.862m the details of which are considered within this report and the financial strategy report;

iii. Approve the full restated programme as summarised in Annex 2 totalling £385.383m covering financial years 2025/26 to 2029/30 as set out in table 12 and Annex 2.

Reason: In accordance with the statutory requirement to set a capital budget for the forthcoming financial year.

Capital and Investment Strategy

Executive recommends that Council:

i. Approve the Capital and Investment Strategy at Annex A

Reason: To meet the statutory obligation to comply with the Prudential Code 2017

Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Prudential Indicators

Executive recommends that Council approve;

i. The treasury management strategy for 2025/26 including the annual investment strategy and the minimum revenue provision policy statement;

ii. The prudential indicators for 2025/26 to 2029/30 in the main body of the report;

iii. The specified and non-specified investments schedule (annex B)

iv. The scheme of delegation and the role of the section 151 officer (annex D)

Reason: To enable the continued effective operation of the treasury management function and ensure that all council borrowing is prudent, affordable and sustainable.”

Liberal Democrat Amendment

Cllr Ayre moved, and Cllr Widdowson seconded, the following amendment on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group:

“Revenue Budget

In relation to the Executive’s recommendations on the revenue budget (paragraph 14 of pages 43 and 44 of Council papers refers):

In sub paragraph c) add at the end of the sentence ‘subject to the following amendments;

· £600k to reverse the full impact of savings to the Library Service

· £370k additional funding to frontline neighbourhood services (of which £210k is one off and £160k recurring)

· £150k one off investment in bus services

· £300k one-off additional discounts to Green Waste charges and community waste disposal initiatives.

· £340k one-off reduction to fund partial reversal of parking increases pending completion of the review of city centre parking provisions set in the Local Transport Strategy Implementation Plan

· £150k budget to reinstate Dial & Ride Service (funded partly by Public Health Grant)

· £200k one off investment in Social Service Day Club provision(funded from Public Health Grant)

· £60k budget for Treasury Management to fund additional capital investment

In sub paragraph d) add at the end of the sentence ‘subject to the following amendments;

· Delete additional Executive Support Assistant to Political Groups - £30k

· Reduction in Chief Officer roles, grades and capacity - £145k

· Reduction of two Executive Members - £40k

· Delete posts in the communications team - £90k

· Reduction in ICT budget - £140k

· No longer fund Economic Development, with the ambition of this being passed to the Combined Authority - £105k

· Reduction in council facility management contract spend - £150k

· Fund £150k additional street cleaning through voluntary tourist tax

· Remove vacant AD Public Health from establishment - £120k

· Use of CYT acquisition reserve subject to CYT board approval £500k

Add sub paragraph i) to paragraph 14

i) The use of £200k from the Public Health Reserve to fund the Social Care Day Clubs

Add sub paragraph j) to paragraph 14

j) The use of £500k from the Venture Fund.”

Following debate, on being put to the vote, the amendment was declared LOST.

Conservative Amendment

Cllr Steward moved, and Cllr Rowley seconded, the following amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group:

“Revenue Budget

In relation to the Executive’s recommendations on the revenue budget (paragraph 14 of pages 43 and 44 of Council papers refers):

In sub paragraph a) delete “£156.921m” and replace with “£156.896m”

In sub paragraph b) delete £120.180m and replace with £120.155m

In sub paragraph c) add at the end of the sentence ‘subject to the following amendments;

· £1,570k impact of reinstating a free first garden bin collection service

· £50k additional funding to for community transport to support reprovision of Dial & Ride type services, if a city wide solution cannot be facilitated then specific areas to be able to bid for localised funding

· £30k to freeze “Minster Badge” price at £30

· £50k to provide free compost bins to be collected by the public.

· £100k revenue cost of adding £1m capital to the Highways Budget

· £200k (one off) budget for Parking incentives funded from Venture Fund

· £25k (one off) Farming and General Countryside Hardship Fund to ensure benefits are accessed.

· £15k (one off) funding to seek whether an orbital bus route can be provided.

· Remove £150k growth for Community Caretakers

· Reduce disability training growth by £40k (one-off), ensuring additional £10k embedded in annual budget

In sub paragraph d) add at the end of the sentence ‘subject to the following amendments;

· Outsource management of the Mansion House - £25k

· Outsource Adult Social Care Personal Support - £60k

· Outsource Adult Social Care Day Support - £38k

· Outsource Flaxman Avenue services - £26k

· Reduce CCTV budget – seek funding from North Yorkshire Police - £100k

· Delete posts in Democratic Governance - £89k

· Delete budget for Our City - £60k

· Reduction in Chief Officer roles and capacity - £200k

· Reduce Executive Special Responsibility Allowances by 25% - £57k

· Reduction of two Executive Members - £40k

· Delete posts in the corporate policy team - £105k

· Delete posts in the communications team - £150k

· Reduce overtime budget - £100k

· Delete Political Assistant posts - £90k

· Delete post in Equalities Team - £50k

· Delete posts in the Communities Team - £160k

· Reduction in ICT budget - £150k

· No longer fund Economic Development - £105k

· Reduction in council publicity - £30k

· Review of staff travel by - £20k

· Remove school crossing patrols where other physical measures in place - £20k

Add sub paragraph i) to paragraph 14

i) The use of £200k from the Venture Fund to fund the parking initiatives.

In paragraph 14 ii) third line, delete ‘4.99%’ and replace with ‘4.97%’.

Capital Budget 2025/26 to 2029/30

In relation to the Executive’s recommendations on the capital budget (paragraph 15 of page 44 of Council papers refers):

In paragraph 15 (i), first line delete ‘£385.383m’ and replace with ‘£386.383m’

In paragraph 15 (i), second line delete ‘£60.947m’ and replace with ‘£61.947m’

Under paragraph 15 (i), insert new sub paragraphs:

e) Increase borrowing by an additional £1m to fund Highway Maintenance in 2025/26

In paragraph 15 (ii), second line delete ‘£32.862m’ and replace with ‘£33.862m’

In paragraph 15 (iii), second line delete ‘£385.383m’ and replace with ‘£386.383m’.”

Following debate, on being put to the vote, the amendment was declared LOST.

After debate, a named vote was then taken on the original recommendations, with the following result:

For	Against	Abstained
Cllr Baxter	Cllr Ayre	Cllr Warters
Cllr B Burton	Cllr Cullwick
Cllr J Burton	Cllr Cuthbertson
Cllr Clarke	Cllr Fenton
Cllr Coles	Cllr Fisher
Cllr Crawshaw	Cllr Healey
Cllr Douglas	Cllr Hollyer
Cllr Kent	Cllr Hook
Cllr Kilbane	Cllr Knight
Cllr Lomas	Cllr Mason
Cllr Melly	Cllr Nicholls
Cllr Merrett	Cllr Orrell
Cllr Moroney	Cllr Rowley
Cllr Myers	Cllr Runciman
Cllr Nelson	Cllr Smalley
Cllr Pavlovic	Cllr Steward
Cllr Ravilious	Cllr Vassie
Cllr Rose	Cllr Waller
Cllr Steels-Walshaw	Cllr Wann
Cllr Taylor	Cllr Watson
Cllr Webb	Cllr Widdowson
Cllr Whitcroft
Cllr Wilson
Lord Mayor (Cllr Wells)
24	21	1

The original recommendations were therefore declared CARRIED

and it was

Resolved: That the Executive’s recommendations to Council be

approved.

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65. Council Tax Resolution 2025/26 (8:35 pm)

Following the setting of the budget for 2025/26 under minute 64 above, Cllr Douglas moved, and Cllr Kilbane seconded, the Council Tax resolution for 2025/26, as set out in the report and schedules at pages 58-61 of the Council agenda.

Following a brief debate Cllr Warters moved, and Cllr Webb seconded, that the question be now put.

On being put to the vote, this motion was declared CARRIED.

Therefore the required named vote was taken on the Council Tax Resolution, with the following result:

For	Against	Abstained
Cllr Ayre		Cllr Nicholls
Cllr Baxter		Cllr Rowley
Cllr B Burton		Cllr Steward
Cllr J Burton		Cllr Warters
Cllr Clarke
Cllr Coles
Cllr Crawshaw
Cllr Cullwick
Cllr Cuthbertson
Cllr Douglas
Cllr Fenton
Cllr Fisher
Cllr Healey
Cllr Hollyer
Cllr Hook
Cllr Kent
Cllr Kilbane
Cllr Knight
Cllr Lomas
Cllr Mason
Cllr Melly
Cllr Merrett
Cllr Moroney
Cllr Myers
Cllr Nelson
Cllr Orrell
Cllr Pavlovic
Cllr Ravilious
Cllr Rose
Cllr Runciman
Cllr Smalley
Cllr Steels-Walshaw
Cllr Taylor
Cllr Vassie
Cllr Waller
Cllr Wann
Cllr Watson
Cllr Webb
Cllr Whitcroft
Cllr Widdowson
Cllr Wilson
Lord Mayor (Cllr Wells)
42	0	4

The motion was accordingly declared CARRIED, and it was

Resolved:

i. That it be noted that on 2 December 2024 the Chief Finance Officer, under her delegated authority, calculated the council tax base for the year 2025/26:

(a) for the whole Council area as 69,426.10 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]; and

(b) for those dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish precept relates as in column 1 in the attached Schedule A.

ii. Calculate that the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2025/26 (excluding Parish precepts) is £120,180,050.

iii. That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2025/26 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

(a) £565,383,463 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils.

(b) £444,083,969 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c) £121,299,494 being the amount by which the aggregate at 9(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 9(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year. [Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act].

(d) £1,747.17 being the amount at 9(c) above [Item R], all divided by Item T (7(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish precepts).

(e) £1,119,444 being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (as per the attached Schedule A).

(f) £1,731.05 being the amount at 9(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 9(e) above by Item T (7(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no Parish precept relates.

iv. To note that the Mayoral Combined Authority (including Fire and Rescue Services) and the Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner has issued precepts to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Act for each category of dwellings in the Council’s area as indicated in the tables below.

v. That the Council, in accordance with sections 30 and 36 of the Act, hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in the tables below, and at Schedule B for Parished areas, as the amounts of council tax for 2025/26 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

City of York Council

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1,154.03	1,346.37	1,538.71	1,731.05	2,115.73	2,500.41	2,885.08	3,462.10

Mayoral Police & Crime Commissioner

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
213.91	249.56	285.21	320.86	392.16	463.46	534.77	641.72

Mayoral General (including Fire and Rescue)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
71.35	83.24	95.13	107.02	130.80	154.58	178.37	214.04

Aggregate of Council Tax Requirements (excluding Parished Areas)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1,439.29	1,679.17	1,919.05	2,158.93	2,638.69	3,118.45	3,598.22	4,317.86

vi. Determine that the Council’s basic amount of council tax for 2025/26 is not excessive in accordance with the principles approved under section 52ZB of the Act. As the billing authority, the Council has not been notified by a major precepting authority that its relevant basic amount of council tax for 2025/26 is excessive and that the billing authority is not required to hold a referendum in accordance with Section 52ZK Local Government Finance Act 1992.

Action Required
1. Note approval of the Council Tax Resolution and take any action required.	DM

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66. Pay Policy Statement 2025-26 (8:45 pm)

Council received a report which presented the Pay Policy Statement for 2025-2026.

Cllr Lomas moved, and Cllr Kent seconded, the following recommendation contained in the report:

“Recommended:

i. For the Council to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2025-2026.

Reason: In order to fulfil the requirements of Section 38 – 43 of the Localism Act 2011 for the Council to produce and publish an annual policy statement that covers a number of matters concerning the pay of the Council’s senior staff, principally Chief Officers and relationships with the pay of the rest of the workforce.”

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was declared CARRIED, and it was

Resolved: That the above recommendation be approved.

Action Required
1. Note approval of the Pay Policy and take any action required.	JB

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Cllr Margaret Wells

LORD MAYOR OF YORK

[The meeting started at 6.30 pmand concluded at 8.49 pm]

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Acomb Ward	Bishopthorpe Ward

Lomas Rose	Nicholls
Clifton Ward	Copmanthorpe Ward

D Myers Wells	Steward
Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Ward	Fishergate Ward

Fenton Mason Widdowson	Whitcroft Wilson
Fulford and Heslington Ward	Guildhall Ward

Ravilious	Clarke Melly Merrett
Haxby & Wigginton Ward	Heworth Ward

Cuthbertson Hollyer Watson	B Burton Douglas Webb
Heworth Without Ward	Holgate Ward

Ayre	Kent Steels-Walshaw K Taylor
Hull Road Ward	Huntington and New Earswick Ward

Baxter Moroney Pavlovic	Cullwick Orrell Runciman
Micklegate Ward	Osbaldwick and Derwent Ward

J Burton Crawshaw Kilbane	Rowley Warters
Rawcliffe and Clifton Without Ward	Rural West York Ward

Smalley Wann	Hook Knight
Strensall Ward	Westfield Ward

Fisher Healey	Coles Nelson Waller
Wheldrake Ward

Vassie