Agenda item

To receive and consider a written report from the Deputy Leader and, to question the Deputy Leader thereon.

A written report was received from the Deputy Leader, Cllr Kilbane.

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

Millenium Bridge

From Cllr Whitcroft: Can you explain to Council how we worked together to improve Millennium Bridge to ensure it was accessible even in the worst cases of flooding and what lessons we have learnt to make sure transport decisions are made quickly in the city?

Response: It was a complicated job as the initial spec that was pulled together wasn’t up to standard and it had progressed quite a long way down the line before it had to be pulled. There are difficulties with building these kinds of structures, but the huge advantage is we managed to find a solution that the Environment Agency was happy with and could sign off. That now means that the Fishergate side of the bridge and the Micklegate side of the bridge will still be accessible. It’s great to finally get it done. It’s been talked about for years and it’s been tried for years. It is an indication of this administration’s delivery.

Riots

From Cllr Melly: Can you tell us what steps the council took and what work you did with local partners at the time of the recent national unrest?

Response: During the right-wing riots that we witnessed in August, this was a very scary time for many people in the city. This also coincided with the Leader’s annual leave which meant that I was in charge as far as York was concerned. Working with colleagues in North Yorkshire and with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner we managed to know what was going on in York and North Yorkshire and we managed to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.Fortunately, the worst didn’t happen, and I would like to put on record my thanks to all of the officers across all of the local authorities and the officers at the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for the work that they did 24 hours a day to stay on top of the situation within our region. Many people went way above and beyond, and I would also like to thank the residents who turned out in their hundreds to offer their support and solidarity to communities in our city that were feeling very scared. Finally, it would be very remiss of me, especially seen as some of our friends from the mosque are in the room tonight, to not thank them for all the work they did at the height of the worry. As I say in my report, the right-wing tried to spread fear instead of which they spread solidarity, they spread hope, they increased friendships between communities and some of those friendships that were born at that time will be longlasting and will be for the benefit of our entire city. Thanks to our friends at the mosque for all that they did to reassure the communities in York at that rather worrying time for everyone.The threat is still there, and we must be vigilant and fight it where we find it.