Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare any person or prejudicial interest they may have in the business on this agenda.

The Executive Member was invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests that he might have in the business on the agenda. He confirmed that he had none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on13 July 2010.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2010 be approved and signed as a correct record by the Executive Member.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting can do so.

The deadline for registering is:

Monday 13 September at 5.00 pm.

Members of the public may register to speak on:-

• an item on the agenda;
• an issue within the Executive Member’s remit;
• an item that has been published on the Information Log since the last session.

Information reports are listed at the end of the agenda.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report provides an update to the Improving York’s Green Space: Response to the Open Space Sport and Recreation Study presented to the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion in December 2009. 

RESOLVED:           (i) That the work currently being undertaken be noted. 

(ii)               That the proposed actions summarised in paragraph 29 of the Officer’s report be agreed.

REASON:                              To develop sufficient high quality open space that meets the needs of the City’s residents and visitors.

The Executive Member considered a report, which updated him on the Improving York’s Green Space and Recreation Study, originally presented at the Executive Member Decision Session in December 2009.

Possible future actions for the improvement in York’s Green Spaces summarised in Paragraph 29 of the report were;

• A development plan to be drawn up at St George’s Field over the autumn, to identify priorities and actions, including the removal of unnecessary vegetation.
• The submission of a pre application enquiry form to the Heritage Lottery Fund “Parks for People” programme with possible funding for the “Ark in the Park” project in association with the Friends of Rowntree Park.
• The entry of Hull Road Park and Scarcroft Green Park for Green Flag awards in 2012.
• For the Parks Service to be represented within the Wild Flowering of York Project.
• The introduction at Rawcliffe Country Park of an off road/mountain bike track with £12k of funding, subject to approval from the Big Lottery Fund.
• The nomination of sites for the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, which will give communities an opportunity to vote for playing fields in their area to be permanently protected as a tribute for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2010.
• The examination of sports pitches in areas where there is a shortfall, such as Fulford and Dringhouses.
• The use of Section 106 contributions from new housing developments to improve capacity, access and standards of open space.

Officers informed the Executive Member that;

• Clarence Gardens had recently received a Green Flag award
• Parks and open spaces in the City had won awards in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition, in particular Dunnington and the Coppergate Centre.

The Executive Member welcomed the improvements that had been made to Green Spaces and access to allotments in the City.

RESOLVED:           (i) That the work currently being undertaken be noted. 

(ii)               That the proposed actions summarised in paragraph 29 of the Officer’s report be agreed.

REASON:                              To develop sufficient high quality open space that meets the needs of the City’s residents and visitors.

This report responds to the decision of the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion in December 2008 for an independent study on the options for managing wild geese in Rowntree Park and other city centre locations.  The purpose of this report is to:

a)            Update the Executive Member on the report by the National Bird Management Unit.

b)            Update the Executive Member on feedback on the report.

c)             Agree which of the options contained within the report should be pursued.

RESOLVED:             (i)            That the report be noted.

(ii)               That Options a) b) and c) be implemented.

(iii)That a report on the progress of the Goose Management programme be considered by the Executive Member at a future meeting.

REASON:                              To improve the conditions of Rowntree Park for users.

The Executive Member considered a report on the management of Geese in Rowntree Park. This report was a response to a decision made by the Executive Member in December 2008 for an independent study to be conducted on options for managing wild geese in Rowntree Park and other city centre locations.

Officers highlighted to the Executive Member, the options that could be pursued, which had been contained in the agenda at Paragraph 20. The Executive Member agreed with options a) b) and c) in the paragraph, which included;

• Increasing the number of sites where egg treatment had taken place.
• A refresh and expansion of signage at these sites as part of an education programme.
• The trial of a non lethal deterrent such as lasers, falconry or trained dogs.
• The installation of gates to complete the enclosure of two small formal gardens within the park.

The Executive Member asked Officers to consult with the Friends of Rowntree Park in relation to developing a wider educational programme on this issue. He asked for another report to be brought back for consideration at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:             (i)            That the report be noted.

(ii)               That Options a) b) and c) be implemented.

(iii)That a report on the progress of the Goose Management programme be considered by the Executive Member at a future meeting.

REASON:                              To improve the conditions of Rowntree Park for users.

The Executive Member considered a report which set out the position at the end of Q1 2010/11 for parts of the Leisure, Culture & Social Inclusion and Children’s Services portfolios that were managed within the Lifelong Learning & Culture team.

RESOLVED:             That the report be noted.

REASON:                  In accordance with budgetary and performance monitoring procedures.