Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member is asked to

declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of

Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they might have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member was asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests he may have in the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the decision sessions held on 21March and 4 April 2016.

Resolved:           That the minutes of the Decision Sessions of the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods held on 21 March 2016 and 4 April 2016 be approved and signed as correct records 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 at 5.00 pm on Friday 20 May 2016.

Members of the public may register to speak on an item on the agenda or an issue within the Executive Member’s remit;

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast and that

includes any registered public speakers, who have given their

permission. This broadcast can be viewed at

http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors

and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This

includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting. Anyone

wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting

should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are

at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of

Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a

manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all

those present. It can be viewed at:

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/6453/protocol_for_webca

sting_filming_and_recording_council_meetingspdf

It was reported that there were two registrations to speak under the Councils Public Participation Scheme.

Mr Rogers, a local resident, was in attendance to express his views on agenda item 5 Holgate Dock - Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) Consultation Outcome.  He felt that option 3, to authorise the introduction of the PSPO to ensure that all dog fouling was picked up, should be introduced as the land was enjoyed by all users and he felt option 1, to authorise the introduction of the PSPO to ban dogs from Holgate Dock at all times, was criminalising responsible dogs owners who were doing no harm.  He stated that toxocariasis was extremely rare and to use this as a health scare was irresponsible and disproportionate. He stated that, following publicity and unreasonable public harassment, some local dog owners had already stopped using the area. He felt that option 3 would generate increased revenue and allow public awareness and social responsibility.

Cllr Cannon was in attendance as the Ward Member to express her own and local residents’ views on agenda item 5.  She confirmed that this area of land was a valuable space in the community and was used by many local residents, families and St Pauls Primary School including the after school club. She felt that option 1 should be enforced as this was the only green space accessible to the Primary School which they used often for play and sport games. She had received many complaints regarding the amount of dog faeces found and when visiting the site she witnessed aggressive behaviour from some dog owners. Although she acknowledged that some dog owners were responsible, she felt there were other large green spaces nearby that were more suitable for dog walking. She confirmed a petition supporting option 1 had received 209 signatories.

This report proposes to change the current policy and to increase the rent payable on a property to target rent when it becomes void and sets out the impact of the change.

Resolved:  That Option 1,  to increase the rent payable to Target Rent on a property when it becomes void, be approved.

Reason: To maximise the council’s income.

The Executive Member considered a report that proposed to change the current Target Rent Policy and to increase the rent on a property when it becomes void.

Officers gave an update and confirmed that no existing tenancies would be affected by the change.

The Executive Member noted that the government had given social housing landlords the freedom to increase the rent on empty homes and, as part of the 2015 Summer Budget, rents in social housing would be reduced by 1% a year for four years resulting in a real term reduction of 12% in rental income.  It was confirmed  that the average distance to target rent was £1.05 per week with more than 90% of properties being less than £1.50 per week below target rent.

Resolved:  That Option 1,  to increase the rent payable to Target Rent on a property when it becomes void, be approved.

Reason:     To maximise the council’s income.

The purpose of this report is to consider the responses from the recent consultation process and determine whether to introduce a PSPO for the area of land known as Holgate Dock.

Resolved: That option 1 be approved:

·        To introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within Holgate Dock to ban dogs from the area and to set the amount of any Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) at £100, which would be reduced to £75 if paid within the first 14 days.

Reason: To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of anti-social behaviour in our communities.

The Executive Member considered the responses from the recent consultation process to determine whether to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the area of land known as Holgate Dock.

Officers gave an update and confirmed that the decision to undertake consultation was in response to complaints received from St Paul’s Primary School  and residents who had highlighted issues with dog fouling within Holgate Dock.

The Executive Member noted that as part of the process the Council sought views from local residents to determine whether they supported the PSPO and of the182 survey responses  received 57% said they would support a PSPO with 56% supporting an outright ban for dogs.   

Officers stated that it was a small minority of individuals who did not clean up after their dogs and that the ban was not intended to criminalise dog owners.  

The Executive Member confirmed he had considered all the consultation responses including residents’ and ward councillors’ concerns and the options available in the report. After much consideration he felt option 2 and 3 were unworkable and, due to the land being primarily used by St Pauls Primary School, option 1 should be introduced. He agreed that most dog walkers were responsible owners so he did not want his decision to stigmatise them or be seen as a precedent for any up and coming PSPO bans. He also felt that the problems related to toxocariasis should not be over stated.

Resolved: That option 1 be approved:

·         To introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within Holgate Dock to ban dogs from the area and to set the amount of any Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) at £100, which would be reduced to £75 if paid within the first 14 days.

Reason:     To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of anti-social behaviour in our communities.