Agenda item

 To receive and consider a written report from the Leader and ask questions on the work of the Executive, and to consider the Executive recommendations for approval, as set out below:

A written report was received from the Executive Leader, Cllr Douglas, on the work of the Executive.

Members were then invited to question the Leader on her report.  Questions were received from the floor from the following Members in relation to the subjects listed, and replied to as indicated:

Priorities for the New Council

From Cllr Whitcroft: Can you explain why the 4 key themes for the new administration – affordability, health & wellbeing, equalities & human rights and the environment - were chosen?

Response: It’s been a long process.  We have been out talking to the city, to organisations across the board and hundreds of residents, o0ver a period of 2 years.  We know there are health and other inequalities across our wards and we have brought it all together to identify what the city needs.  The themes will all feed into everything we do and every decision we make.

Supplementary from Cllr Steward: Are these ‘planted’ questions good or bad?

Supplementary Response: They are helpful to allow me to expand on the subject, and not a bad thing if the balance is right.

From Cllr Widdowson: What progress has been made on reversing the city centre access provisions that hadn’t been looked at before May 2023?

Response: the difference is that I’ve had to consider that there’s a compromise position to be found.  It won’t keep everyone happy but will allow people who haven’t had access to the city centre for 3 years to come back in.  it’s about having the political will to make it happen.

Devolution

From Cllr Wilson: Can you explain what steps you’ve taken to ensure that York is well positioned to benefit from devolution?

Response: I have been attending meetings with officers involved in this – they are doing this in addition to their day jobs.  It’s been quite technical so far and I am trying to shift it into something that is shaped by us as politicians.  I have asked for it to be part of scrutiny to ensure you have the opportunity to feed back on governance structures so we can say how we’d like to be involved in the future.  Some residents, e.g., in Selby, feel distant from decision making – it’s a huge geographical area.  We need to work in partnership; our priorities with North Yorkshire align and I’d love your input on it.

Local Plan

From Cllr Warters: How confident are you that the responses to the questions raised by the Inspectors on the gypsy / traveller policies will allow them to sign off the plan, and can you confirm that you are already working with officers to review the HMO supplementary planning document?

Response: The Local Plan is very important and we have to get it in place, otherwise there is potential for a developer free for all.  Officers assure me that what they have submitted to the Inspectors has been well received.  We’ve been speaking to the Gypsy and Traveller Trust about this – it is a problem area, but we can find a solution.  On the HMO, it is in the early stages; Cllr Pavlovic is working with officers on this and I’m sure he’d be happy to update you.  

Armed Forces Week

From Cllr Rowley: In your capacity as the Armed Forces Advocate, will you do all you can to ensure York supports those gay and lesbian ex-service members who were removed from service to seek the compensation they so rightly deserve?

Response: Yes, we will do everything we can to ensure that they, and anyone else who has suffered discrimination, get the compensation they deserve.  We are a gold holder of the armed forces covenant so are committed to that, and I look forward to working with you.

B – Executive Recommendations

Cllr Douglas moved, and Cllr Kilbane seconded, the following recommendations contained in Minute 11 of the Executive meeting held on 15 June 2023 and Minute 20 of the Executive meeting held on 13 July 2023:

Minute 11 - Capital Programme Outturn 2022/23 and Revisions to the 2023/24-2027/28 Programme

Recommended:  That the re-stated 2023/24 to 2027/28 programme of £533.321, as summarised in Table 3 at paragraph 96 of the Executive report and detailed in Annex A, be approved.¹

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

Minute 19 - Anti-Racism & Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan

Recommended:  (i)      That Council receive the Strategy and Action Plan on behalf of the City.²

                             (ii)      That the Leader sign the Pledge at Annex B to the report on behalf of the Council.³

Reason:  To demonstrate the City of York Council’s commitment to being an Anti-Racist City.

On being put to the vote, all of the recommendations were declared CARRIED, and it was

Resolved:  That the above recommendations be approved. ^1,2,3