Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for lateness was submitted by Councillor Lomas.

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.

Councillor Webb declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 7, Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering Union Terrace, Clarence Gardens and The Groves, on the basis that he resided within the area covered by the proposed PSPO.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 4 November 2025.         

Resolved: That the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 4

November 2025 be approved and then signed by the Chair as a

correct record.

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, 28 November 2025.     

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

Ben French representing the York Green Party spoke in relation to agenda item 7, Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering Union Terrace, Clarence Gardens and The Groves. He welcomed the decision to extend the PSPO in the Groves, Clarence Street, and Union Terrace. There were good existing conditions to be extended, banning the gatherings of three or more where there was anti-social behaviour and drinking where it caused anti-social behaviour and intimidation. Having regularly heard from lots of residents, anti-social behaviour, crime and violent incidents were some of the most common things that residents brought up. It was important that action was being taken. However, it was the additional proposals for the city centre that raised some concern, and additional work was needed to make these a success. Proposals like banning loitering was vague, banning begging, causing any anti-social behaviour, 24-hour removals and fully banning alcohol. These were some concerning proposals that needed more work. If not done properly then they would not make York any safer and would be counterproductive in the long run. Executive needed to ask whether it was a human rights city for the nice branding or to do the hard work with these proposals to make them an effective reality. There were serious threats to human rights legislation without undertaking the necessary work. There was a need to see consultation with stakeholders across the board.

Flick Williams spoke in relation to the sustainable travel corridor and public sector equality duty. In relation to the sustainable travel corridor, it was made clear that if formally adopted without exemption for blue badge holders and locally licensed hackney carriages and private hire vehicles through the bus gates then there would be legal proceedings against City of York Council.

Jo Coles spoke in her capacity as Deputy Mayor for Police and Crime of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, particularly in relation to agenda item 8, Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within the City Walls. The Community Safety Partnership, officers and executive member were thanked for the work that they had put into this. That making the city welcoming and inclusivesimultaneously was a challenge. The council’s approach was welcomed. The report included the number of anti-social behaviourincidents that took place in the firstseven months of this year. 573 incidentsin the first seven months of this yearin the city centre. That was the underlying reason why this PSPO was so important. An important aspect about the PSPO was partnership working. It was not just about one agency or another. It was about ensuring that the police had another tool to enable them to make the city centre more welcoming and to ensure that other agencies were getting the support they needed to support some of the most vulnerable people in the city centre. It was welcomed thatthe council was looking at how that could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 177.

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

To receive a report from the Director of Public Health outlining the statutory requirements of the Council to provide NHS Health Checks, the intended scope of the NHS Health Checks programme over the next five years and seeking delegated approval to procure a supplier to undertake NHS Health Checks on behalf of the Council.

Resolved –

That Executive

a)   Approves a procurement process to enable a suitable provider to be sought to deliver the NHS Health Check programme for the next five years, with a total contract value of up to £750,000.

b)   Delegates authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with Chief Finance Officer, to commence an open, fair and transparent competitive procurement process in compliance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules under Appendix 11 of the Council’s Constitution (the “Council’s CPRs”) and (where applicable) the Procurement Act 2023.

c)    Delegates authority to the Director of Public Health, in conjunction with the Director of Governance, to determine and enter into a contract with a supplier who is successful following the completion of the procurement process, and authority to negotiate and enter into any subsequent extensions and/or modifications to the final contract in accordance with the contract’s terms and conditions, the Council’s CPRs, and (where applicable) the Procurement Act 2023.

Reason: To ensure that the Council is meeting its statutory duty to provide NHS Health Checks to the resident population. To enable the timely awarding of the NHS Health Checks contract in compliance with the Council’s CPRs and (where applicable) the Procurement Act 2023, that are value for money and responsive to local need.

The Director of Public Health submitted a report which outlined the statutory requirements of the Council to provide NHS Health Checks, the intended scope of the NHS Health Checks programme over the next five years and sought delegated approval to procure a supplier to undertake NHS Health Checks on behalf of the Council.

An equalities impact assessment was attached as an annex to the report.

The following officers were in attendance for this item:

-       Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health

-       Phil Truby, Head of Public Health.

The Executive Member advised that the health checks was a free service for everybody aged 40 to 74, specifically to identify cardiovascular problems. It remained one of the leading causes of premature death in the city and it was reported those in deprived communities were twice as likely to die compared to those in the least deprived areas. That was a stark inequality and why this was important. The recommissioning ensured that the council obliged with its statutory duty, but more importantly it helped identify those undiagnosed conditions and prevented serious illness. These health checks were at the cornerstone of the council’s prevention strategy. There was a need to invest in these to protect people who were most at risk and make a real difference in reducing health inequalities and improving lives for people in York.

Resolved (unanimously) –

That Executive

a)   Approves a procurement process to enable a suitable provider to be sought to deliver the NHS Health Check programme for the next five years, with a total contract value of up to £750,000.

b)   Delegates authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with Chief Finance Officer, to commence an open, fair and transparent competitive procurement process in compliance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules under Appendix 11 of the Council’s Constitution (the “Council’s CPRs”) and (where applicable) the Procurement Act 2023.

c)    Delegates authority to the Director of Public Health, in conjunction with the Director of Governance, to determine and enter into a contract with a supplier who is successful following the completion of the procurement process, and authority to negotiate and enter into any subsequent extensions and/or modifications to the final contract in accordance with the contract’s terms and conditions, the Council’s CPRs, and (where applicable) the Procurement Act 2023.

Reason: To ensure that the Council is meeting its statutory duty to provide NHS Health Checks to the resident population. To enable the timely awarding of the NHS Health Checks contract in compliance with the Council’s CPRs and (where applicable) the Procurement Act 2023, that are value for money and responsive to local need.

To receive a report from the Director of Housing and Communities which presents the responses from a recent consultation process undertaken, as approved by the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities on 2 September 2025, and to determine whether to re-introduce a PSPO covering Union Terrace, Clarence Gardens and The Groves.

Resolved – That, in accordance with Option 1 in paragraph 29 of the report, Executive approves:

a)   the reintroduction of the original PSPO as follows:

·      seizing alcohol where it is associated with anti-social behaviour that is impacting on the quality of life for people in that area; and

·      the ability to disperse large groups of three or more people who are causing ASB.

b)   a further detailed consultation relating to the following:

·      The ability to remove large groups of two or more people who are causing anti-social behaviour (as opposed to three or more as contained in the September report);

c)    Delegated authority for the Director of Housing and Communities to sign the PSPO on behalf of the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Neighbourhoods in conjunction with the Director of Governance (Monitoring Officer).

Reason: To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of antisocial behaviour in York’s communities.

The Director of Housing and Communities submitted a report which presented the responses from a recent consultation process undertaken, as approved by the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities on 2 September 2025, and to determine whether to re-introduce a PSPO covering Union Terrace, Clarence Gardens and The Groves.

The following annexes were attached to the report:

-       Map highlighting proposed area of PSPO

-       List of comments received

-       Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA).

The following officers were in attendance:

-       Pauline Stuchfield, Director of Housing and Communities

-       Paul Morrison, Community Safety Manager.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      The Director of Housing and Communities advised that there was an amendment to be made in relation to recommendation a) to delete reference to the city walls.

·      The Leader of the Council sought clarification when the PSPOs could be implemented, if approved. It was advised that the PSPOs could be implemented quickly, mostly likely within a few days once signed off for approval.

·      The Leader of the Opposition Group reported that residents and businesses in areas such as Union Terrace and Clarence Gardens, needed more support and welcomed the proposals to make areas safer.

·      The Executive Member thanked officers for their hard work, particularly Jane Mowat, Head of Community Safety, who it was noted was retiring from the Council. Ward Councillors were also thanked for their feedback. It was reported that the PSPOs were discussed at an Executive Member Decision Session in September. It was agreed to go out for consultation and thanks to feedback from stakeholders, ward councillors and residents it was decided to extend the consultation into the new year. However, that left a situation in which the PSPO that had been running for many years in the Groves, Union Terrace, Clarence Gardens and in the city centre had lapsed and expired in August. The PSPOs were a valuable tool in helping to maintain the safety of residents, tourists, and those who used the city centre. Not to have one in place at all would have left agencies without an important tool to be able to act. The reason that it was important to act had been outlined in the report. 573 incidents this year of anti-social behaviour was an indicator that bad behaviour was not necessarily just from those people that lived in the city centre, but also from some of the more boisterous visitors. That it was important to have the ability to disperse groups and confiscate alcohol when needed.

Resolved (unanimously) – That, in accordance with Option 1 in paragraph 29 of the report, Executive approves:

a)   the reintroduction of the original PSPO as follows:

·      seizing alcohol where it is associated with anti-social behaviour that is impacting on the quality of life for people in that area; and

·      the ability to disperse large groups of three or more people who are causing ASB.

b)   a further detailed consultation relating to the following:

·      The ability to remove large groups of two or more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 180.

To receive a report from the Director of Housing and Communities which presents the responses from a recent consultation process undertaken, as approved by the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities on 2 September 2025, and to determine whether to re-introduce a PSPO within the city walls. 

Resolved – That in accordance with Option 1 in paragraph 31 of the report, Executive approves:

a)    the decision to reintroduce the original PSPO which is a ban on drinking alcohol in public within the area;

b)     a further detailed consultation relating to the following:

·      The ability to remove large groups of two or more people who are causing anti-social behaviour (originally three in the September 2025 report, but reduced due to consultation feedback);

·      Begging, no person shall make any verbal, non-verbal or written request for money, donations or goods, including the placing of hats, clothing or containers so as to cause or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance.

·      No return within 24 hours if asked to leave. No person shall, after being requested to leave by an authorised officer due to them behaving in a manner causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to any person within the city Centre without reasonable excuse, remain or return to the city Centre within a period of 24 hours.

·      Loitering, no person shall loiter, sit or lay on the floor or on temporary structures in or adjacent to doorways or around pay machines (including banks, supermarkets) in a manner causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to any person within the City Centre.

c)    Delegated authority for the Director of Housing and Communities to sign the PSPO on behalf of the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Neighbourhoods in conjunction with the Director of Governance (Monitoring Officer).

Reason: To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of antisocial behaviour in York’s communities and is able to deliver the requirements of the Government’s Winter of Action Campaign.

The Director of Housing and Communities submitted a report which presented the responses from a recent consultation process undertaken, as approved by the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities on 2 September 2025, and to determine whether to re-introduce a PSPO within the city walls. 

The following annexes were attached to the report:

-       Map highlighting proposed area of PSPO

-       List of comments received

-       Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA).

The following officers were in attendance:

-       Pauline Stuchfield, Director of Housing and Communities

-       Paul Morrison, Community Safety Manager.

Resolved (unanimously) – That in accordance with Option 1 in paragraph 31 of the report, Executive approves:

a)    the decision to reintroduce the original PSPO which is a ban on drinking alcohol in public within the area;

b)     a further detailed consultation relating to the following:

·      The ability to remove large groups of two or more people who are causing anti-social behaviour (originally three in the September 2025 report, but reduced due to consultation feedback);

·      Begging, no person shall make any verbal, non-verbal or written request for money, donations or goods, including the placing of hats, clothing or containers so as to cause or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance.

·      No return within 24 hours if asked to leave. No person shall, after being requested to leave by an authorised officer due to them behaving in a manner causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to any person within the city Centre without reasonable excuse, remain or return to the city Centre within a period of 24 hours.

·      Loitering, no person shall loiter, sit or lay on the floor or on temporary structures in or adjacent to doorways or around pay machines (including banks, supermarkets) in a manner causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to any person within the City Centre.

c)    Delegated authority for the Director of Housing and Communities to sign the PSPO on behalf of the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Neighbourhoods in conjunction with the Director of Governance (Monitoring Officer).

Reason: To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of antisocial behaviour in York’s communities and is able to deliver the requirements of the Government’s Winter of Action Campaign.

To receive a report from the Director of Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services which proposes an increase in the garden waste subscription service for 2026 to offset the cost of delivering the service.

Resolved – That Executive notes the content of the report and agrees to increase garden waste subscription service at a fee of £52 per permit with the 50% discount to remain for those in receipt of Council Tax support.

Reason: To set the subscription fee for 2026 to enable sustainability in the service.

The Director of Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services submitted a report which proposed an increase in the garden waste subscription service for 2026 to offset the cost of delivering the service.

An equalities impact assessment was attached as an annex to the report.

The following officers were in attendance for this item:

-       Dave Atkinson, Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services

-       Ian Hoult, Head of Environmental Services.

The key areas of discussion were as follows:

·      The Opposition Group Leader emphasised the need to ensure that mitigations were put in place to support the most deprived communities due to the proposed increase in the green bin charge.

·      The Executive Member reported that 60% take up was very much at the high end for local authorities across the country so there was clearly a big demand for it. It was precisely because there was a big demand for it that there was a need to ensure all costs were covered. The decision had to be made now as the garden waste subscription scheme was to be launched in January and there was a need to know what the price was to be advertised. In relation to the impact on the most deprived areas, the proposed cost increase had not been taken lightly and matters were considered in the round. It was easy to equate an area with low take-up and deprivation, but it might draw the wrong conclusion. For example, Guildhall was an area of high deprivation, but also an area with very few gardens, so the take-up was low. That did not mean that it was too expensive. There were many different factors involved. There were also free alternatives, for example, home composting, which was the best environmentally. And there were subsidised compost bins. There was the option to take garden waste to the tip or subscribe. This was a proposed increase of £3 a year. It was a case of balancing the need to maintain a valued service, covering the costs, and being fair across the city.

Resolved (unanimously) – That Executive notes the content of the report and agrees to increase garden waste subscription service at a fee of £52 per permit with the 50% discount to remain for those in receipt of Council Tax support.

Reason: To set the subscription fee for 2026 to enable sustainability in the service.

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

There were no urgent items of business to consider.