Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lomas and Opposition Group Leader, Councillor Ayre.

Notification had been received that Councillor Fenton was to substitute for Councillor Ayre.

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.

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 July 2026.      

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 nine registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Flick Williams spoke remotely in relation to agenda item 10, ‘Bus Priority in York City Centre: The Rougier Route’. Flick welcomed the decision to offer exemptions to blue badge holders and hackney carriages. It was in line with the Council's obligations under the public sector equality duty. However, there was some concern that the exemption was not to be extended to private hire vehicles transporting SEND students to and from schools and colleges. Flick expressed support for the comments made by Streamline Taxis that had been published in the agenda supplement. That the exemption should apply to all locally licensed

taxi companies. Also, the continued emphasis on the scheme operating as a trial raised concerns that blue badge holder exemptions could be subsequently removed. This should not be predicated on volume of blue badge use since every disabled person's need for access was equally valid.

Mark Venables spoke remotely in relation to agenda item 10, ‘Bus Priority in York City Centre: The Rougier Route’. Mark spoke on behalf of York Civic Trust, Transport Advisory Group. It was reported that York Civic Trust strongly supported the council's proposals for this scheme. That it would significantly improve bus journeys and enhance safety for walkers, wheelers, and cyclists. It also offered an opportunity to enhance the public realm and York Civic Trust was ready to assist in realising the potential for this. There was some concern at the further delay in introducing the scheme which was originally planned for implementation in 2025. Delaying implementation until four months before the council elections presented a risk that the scheme would become a political battleground.

Andrew McGuinness spoke remotely in relation to agenda item 10, ‘Bus Priority in York City Centre: The Rougier Route’. Andrew spoke in in his capacity as Chair of the Enhanced Partnership Bus Forum. It was stated that buses remained Britain's most widely used form of public transport, providing essential connections for people traveling to work, education, healthcare, and local services. However, one significant challenge undermined their effectiveness, and that was congestion. A recent report highlighted that England needed faster buses and that bus speeds had fallen to unacceptably low levels. Average bus speeds were just 7.8mph in congested urban areas increasing to only 9.5 mph in other cities. The report estimated that increasing average bus journey speed by 10% would generate an additional 147 million passenger journeys each year while delivering savings and wider economic benefits worth around £5b nationally. These findings reinforced national evidence that improving bus reliability was not simply about making buses faster. It was about making public transport more attractive, reducing operating costs and supporting local businesses.

Doreen Magill spoke remotely in relation to agenda item 10, ‘Bus Priority in York City Centre: The Rougier Route’. Doreen spoke on behalf of York Bus Forum. It was stated that the main issue was about congestion and everyone, including  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

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

Annex 2 to agenda item 11 on the grounds that it contains information relating to the following:

·      Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information); and

·      Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office-holders under, the authority.

The above information is classed as exempt under paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

It is also considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information

Whilst it was acknowledged that Annex 2 to agenda item 11 was classed as exempt for the reasons set out below, it was not anticipated that there was a need for Executive to consider the documents in private session.

Resolved: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting in relation to Annex 2 to agenda item 11 on the grounds that it contains information in relation to the following:

·      Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information); and

·      Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office-holders under, the authority.

The above information is classed as exempt under paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

It is also considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 2 June 2026.

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

June 2026 be approved and then signed by the Chair as a correct

record.

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

To receive a report from the Director of Finance providing a year end analysis of the overall finance and performance position for the year.

Resolved (unanimously) –

That Executive

a)   Notes the finance and performance information within the report and agrees that the underspend of £1.498m will be added to council general reserves.

Reason: To ensure expenditure is kept within the approved budget.

b)   Accepts funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority delegating authority to the Director of Children’s Services to progress the below in consultation with the Deputy Leader / Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education:

i)               £1,448,630 Adult Skills Fund

ii)              £603,665 Connect to Work.

c)     Accepts funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority delegating authority to the Director of City Development to progress the below in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport:

i)              £1,120,000 Active Travel Fund.

d)    Accepts funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority delegating authority to the Director of City Development to progress the below in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy and Culture:

i)              £84,900 Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets

ii)             £206,000 for three years Local Growth Funding.

Reason: To secure funding to progress programmes of work related to each funding stream to enable activity that will support a more prosperous, affordable, accessible and equal city.

e)   Approves the York Learning Accountability Statement at the annex to this report ahead of publication.

Reason: To enable the council to receive funding in order to deliver courses through York Learning service.

The Director of Finance submitted a report which provided a year end analysis of the overall finance and performance position for the year.

The following annexes were attached to the report:

·      Quarter 4 Performance Tables – City Outcomes and Council Delivery Indicators 2023-2027

·      York Learning Accountability Statement

·      Parking Income and Expenditure and Highway and Transport Expenditure.

Debbie Mitchell, Director of Finance, presented the report.

The Leader of the Council highlighted increased budget pressures, particularly in relation to adult social care. This had impacted on other services to bring the budget under the expected overspend. Millions of pounds had been spent on adult social services. It was noted that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had rated the service as ‘requiring improvement’ in December 2025. An improvement advisor from Department of Health and Social Care was working with the team to bring the spend under control.

Resolved (unanimously) –

That Executive

a)   Notes the finance and performance information within the report and agrees that the underspend of £1.498m will be added to council general reserves.

Reason: To ensure expenditure is kept within the approved budget.

b)   Accepts funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority delegating authority to the Director of Children’s Services to progress the below in consultation with the Deputy Leader / Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education:

i)               £1,448,630 Adult Skills Fund

ii)              £603,665 Connect to Work.

c)     Accepts funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority delegating authority to the Director of City Development to progress the below in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport:

i)              £1,120,000 Active Travel Fund.

d)    Accepts funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority delegating authority to the Director of City Development to progress the below in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy and Culture:

i)              £84,900 Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets

ii)             £206,000 for three years Local Growth Funding.

Reason: To secure funding to progress programmes of work related to each funding stream to enable activity that will support a more prosperous, affordable, accessible and equal city.

e)   Approves the York Learning Accountability Statement at the annex to this report ahead of publication.

Reason: To enable the council to receive funding in order to deliver courses through York Learning service.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance providing an update on Treasury Management activity and the outturn position for the 2025/26 financial year.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive notes

a)   The 2025/26 performance and outturn position of Treasury Management activity.

b)   The 2025/26 outturn Prudential Indicators outlined in Annex A to the report and notes the compliance with all indicators.

Reason: To ensure the continued effective operation and performance of the Council’s Treasury Management function and ensure that all Council treasury activity is prudent, affordable and sustainable and complies with policies set.

The Director of Finance submitted a report which provided an update on Treasury Management activity and the outturn position for the 2025/26 financial year.

The following annex was attached to the report:

·      Prudential Indicators 2025/26 Outturn (31 March 2026).

Debbie Mitchell, Director of Finance, presented the report.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive notes

a)   The 2025/26 performance and outturn position of Treasury Management activity.

b)   The 2025/26 outturn Prudential Indicators outlined in Annex A to the report and notes the compliance with all indicators.

Reason: To ensure the continued effective operation and performance of the Council’s Treasury Management function and ensure that all Council treasury activity is prudent, affordable and sustainable and complies with policies set.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance setting out the capital programme outturn position for 2025/26, including any under/overspends and adjustments, along with an update to the future years programme.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

a) In relation to the capital programme outturn

i)              Notes the 2025/26 capital outturn position of £81.948m and approves the requests for re-profiling totalling £58.432m from the 2025/26 programme to future years.

ii)             Notes the adjustments to schemes increasing expenditure in 2025/26 by a net £1.346m.

iii)           Recommends to Full Council the restated 2026/27 to 2029/30 programme of £441.313m as summarised in Table 3 and detailed in Annex 1 to the report.

iv)           Approves the virement of £5.4m from Integrated Transport to fund the updated spend forecast on York Station Gateway.

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

b) In relation to the Yorkshire Museum Capital Scheme

i)              To authorise officers to commence work with York Museums and Gallery Trust (YMT) and Arts Council England (ACE) to identify and agree a lawful and deliverable form of security for ACE’s contribution to the Yorkshire Museum roof works, and to delegate authority to the Director of City Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy and Culture, the Director of Governance and the Director of Finance, to negotiate and enter into any necessary agreements to give effect to the preferred form of security, including (where required):

·      amendments to the 2009 Yorkshire Museum and Gardens Charitable Scheme, subject to Charity Commission approval;

·      any documents required to create or support the agreed security for ACE;

·      any lease or property arrangements required to facilitate the agreed form of security;

·      any necessary landlord consents from the Council to YMT to facilitate the agreed form of security;

·      any required applications to HM Land Registry, the Charity Commissioner, Companies House, or any other regulator; and

·      any consents required to enable the roof works to proceed.

ii)             Subject to the above, to approve the award of £200,000 match funding to the York Museums and Gallery Trust towards the improvement works for the roof and rainwater goods at the Yorkshire Museum, alongside the allocation of a further £300,000 for future match funding if successful and to delegate authority to the Director of City Development in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Director of Governance, to finalise and execute a grant funding agreement with the York Museums and Gallery Trust.

iii)           Allocates the £500,000 match funding from Capital Contingency.

Reason: To ensure that any charge created at the Yorkshire Museum is in line with the existing arrangements the Yorkshire Museum between CYC and YMT.

To enable YMT’s acceptance of the grant funding, and all grant

funding arrangements, are in compliance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022, the Council’s Constitution, and the Council’s Financial

Regulations.

c) In relation to the funding from the Local Authority Housing Fund

(round 4) from MHCLG, are recommended to:

i)              Accepts grant funding from the MHCLG of £888k, by delegating authority to the S151 Officer to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

ii)             Recommends to Full Council, the approval of additional borrowing up to £938k to match fund the scheme.

iii)           Delegates authority to  ...  view the full decision text for item 18.

The Director of Finance submitted a report which set out the capital programme outturn position for 2025/26, which included any under/overspends and adjustments, along with an update to the future years programme.

The following annex was attached to the report:

-       Capital Programme 2026/27 to 2029/30.

Debbie Mitchell, Director of Finance, presented the report. It was advised that an amendment was required in relation to paragraph 10 recommendation v). This sentence was to be deleted on the basis that the information was already contained in recommendation c) to the report.

In response to a query, the Executive Member for Transport clarified that resources transferred to the Station Gateway scheme were from schemes where there was insufficient officer capacity to deliver these. These mostly related to traffic signal replacements. Staff had since been recruited to posts and all programmes were back on pace.

The Leader of the Council highlighted the positive transformation of the Station Gateway scheme. Reference was also made to the challenges and risks associated with a lack of effective programme management and oversight during the initial stages. This had resulted in necessary changes to the scheme. Some of these related to unknowns, for example, the Victorian flyover, which required engineering works to be undertaken. There had also been a significant increase in construction costs.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the positive contribution of York Museums Trust whilst also noting the significant cost of maintaining historic buildings in York. The Arts Council was thanked for supporting the capital request that had been submitted to fix the roof at the Yorkshire Museum. It was hoped there would be further support for historic assets in York, particularly given the financial constraints currently faced.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

a) In relation to the capital programme outturn

i)              Notes the 2025/26 capital outturn position of £81.948m and approves the requests for re-profiling totalling £58.432m from the 2025/26 programme to future years.

ii)             Notes the adjustments to schemes increasing expenditure in 2025/26 by a net £1.346m.

iii)           Recommends to Full Council the restated 2026/27 to 2029/30 programme of £441.313m as summarised in Table 3 and detailed in Annex 1 to the report.

iv)           Approves the virement of £5.4m from Integrated Transport to fund the updated spend forecast on York Station Gateway.

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

b) In relation to the Yorkshire Museum Capital Scheme

i)              To authorise officers to commence work with York Museums and Gallery Trust (YMT) and Arts Council England (ACE) to identify and agree a lawful and deliverable form of security for ACE’s contribution to the Yorkshire Museum roof works, and to delegate authority to the Director of City Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy and Culture, the Director of Governance and the Director of Finance, to negotiate and enter into any necessary agreements to give effect to the preferred form of security, including (where required):

·      amendments to the 2009 Yorkshire Museum and Gardens Charitable Scheme, subject to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To receive a report from the Director of City Development which presents the results of public consultation into bus priority in York City Centre and requests approval to deliver bus priority on George Hudson Street and Micklegate (between Micklegate / George Hudson Street and Micklegate / Skeldergate / North Street / Ouse Bridge junctions) on an experimental basis.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

a)   Allocates £2m of BSIP1 funding and £350k of YNYMCA Bus Grant funding to implement the Rougier Route on an experimental basis.

Reason: To deliver bus journey time and reliability improvements

and to enable the potential benefits and disbenefits to be fully

evaluated prior to a permanent decision being made.

b)   Delegates authority to the Director of City Development to implement the Rougier Route Proposals on an experimental basis allowing exemptions initially for buses, emergency services, Blue Badge holders and Hackney Carriages.

Reason: To ensure expedient delivery of the project.

c)    Delegates authority to the Director of City Development to amend the conditions of the Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Rougier Route project during the trial period if required.

Reason: To allow the Traffic Regulation Orders to adapt to

evidence gathered during the trial period.

d)   Notes the contents of the petition.

Reason: To consider the views of petitioners when making a

decision on the Rougier Route project.

e)   Approves the City of York Council Parking and Moving Traffic Offences Enforcement Policy.

Reason: To update the policy in line with the powers the Council

now holds.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which presented the results of public consultation into bus priority in York City Centre and requested approval to deliver bus priority on George Hudson Street and Micklegate (between Micklegate / George Hudson Street and Micklegate / Skeldergate / North Street / Ouse Bridge junctions) on an experimental basis.

The following annexes were attached to the report:

·      Rougier Route Proposals Plan

·      Rougier Route Consultation Summary

·      Traffic Modelling Summary

·      Human Rights and Equality Assessment

·      Parking and Moving Traffic Offences Enforcement Policy.

Tom Horner, Head of Transport, Policy and Travel Behaviour, presented the report.

The Executive Member highlighted the issue of congestion. It was reported that 80% of respondents to the consultation had identified congestion as their top concern in the city. To accommodate growth and support a vibrant visitor economy there was a need to address this issue. One of the main ways of dealing with this issue was enabling more people to use public transport. Currently buses were stuck in the same traffic as everyone else with average speed in the city centre at less than four miles per hour. Areas had been identified where the proposed bus priority scheme would bring the most widespread benefit.

The Executive Member acknowledged that there was congestion in other areas of the city but pointed out that there was a need to start somewhere. The Rougier Route would deliver the greatest benefits. Slow bus speeds resulted in higher running costs for bus operators and that in turn resulted in an increase in ticket prices for passengers. People were unwilling to travel on unreliable and expensive buses. An investment in the Rougier Route was much needed. It would increase bus reliability, reduce bus operating costs, and enabled bus operators to add more services, reduce ticket costs, and increase passenger numbers.

Officers were thanked for the level of thought, detail and time that had gone into this piece of work. It was also the result of an extensive consultation exercise. Over 2,000 people had responded to the consultation, which included drop-in sessions with stakeholders and included individuals that had attended today’s Executive meeting to speak. It demonstrated that people in the

city were engaged and had provided valuable feedback. As a result of the feedback, some adaptations to the plans had been made.

The Executive Member report that there were still some outstanding concerns to resolve. It was stressed that it was a trial scheme and that approval of the recommendations enabled

officers to start looking at the detail of how the scheme works. It was anticipated that some adjustments may be required with some unexpected consequences and tweaks needed. It was advised that for the first six months there were to be no fines. Warning letters were to be issued to people who had made a mistake and did not know about the scheme.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

a)   Allocates £2m of BSIP1 funding and £350k of YNYMCA Bus Grant funding to implement the Rougier Route on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To receive a report from the Director of Communities which invites Executive to decide whether City of York Council should accept the proposals set out in the report and take over the management of the Cemetery from Fulford Parish Council and terminate the 2006 Burial Services Agreement early or consider any other options to minimise the impact on burial ground provision and capacity in York.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

a)   Approves Option 2 (paragraph 50 to the report) as follows:

To delegate authority to the Director of Communities (in consultation with the Director of Finance and Director of Governance) to commence negotiations with Fulford Parish Council (FPC) for the proposed handover of the Cemetery to City of York Council (CYC) and to negotiate and conclude all necessary legal documentation for this purpose; and

b)   Approves Option A (paragraph 51 to the report) The termination of the 2006 Burial Services Agreement without the full 36 months' notice period, and to delegate authority to the Director of Communities (in consultation with the Director of Finance and Director of Governance) to negotiate and conclude all necessary legal documentation for this purpose.

Reason: To mitigate the ongoing financial risk to CYC and use the opportunity to generate income and to safeguard a long-term burial space for CYC residents.

The Director of Communities submitted a report which invited Executive to decide whether City of York Council should accept the proposals set out in the report and take over the management of the Cemetery from Fulford Parish Council (FPC) and terminate the 2006 Burial Services Agreement early or consider any other options to minimise the impact on burial ground provision and capacity in York.

The following annexes were attached to the report:

·      FPC letter re-affirming request

·      FPC letter including proposed terms and conditions (exempt from publication)

·      The 2025 agreement

·      Human Rights and Equalities Assessment.

Pauline Stuchfield, Director of Communities, and Eilidh Carricker 

Head of Corporate Customer Services, were both in attendance for this item.

The Executive Member (Ward Member) highlighted that this had been a challenging situation. That it was unusual for a Parish Council to run a city cemetery. It was reported that there had been a reduction in burials and an increase in cremations. That had left the cemetery in a financially difficult situation and unable to manage it. The grounds were overgrown and residents and visitors were distressed when visiting their loved ones. It resulted in CYC entering into an agreement with Fulford Parish Council to manage the cemetery on a temporary basis. This had resulted in a positive turnaround due to collaborative working between the Parish Council, CYC and volunteers, particularly Friends of Fulford Cemetery and staff at the Stay City Hotel.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the positive approach undertaken by the Parish Council, the local community and council officers to tackle this sensitive issue in an efficient and business-like manner to ensure a viable cemetery in the city. It was hoped that the people of York recognised the positive benefits and improvements that collective work could deliver.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

a)   Approves Option 2 (paragraph 50 to the report) as follows:

To delegate authority to the Director of Communities (in consultation with the Director of Finance and Director of Governance) to commence negotiations with Fulford Parish Council (FPC) for the proposed handover of the Cemetery to City of York Council (CYC) and to negotiate and conclude all necessary legal documentation for this purpose; and

b)   Approves Option A (paragraph 51 to the report) The termination of the 2006 Burial Services Agreement without the full 36 months' notice period, and to delegate authority to the Director of Communities (in consultation with the Director of Finance and Director of Governance) to negotiate and conclude all necessary legal documentation for this purpose.

Reason: To mitigate the ongoing financial risk to CYC and use the opportunity to generate income and to safeguard a long-term burial space for CYC residents.

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

There were no urgent items of business to consider.