Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, 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.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

No interests were declared but for the sake of transparency Cllr Doughty stated, in relation to Agenda Item 8(iv) (Council Backs Haxby Station Project) that he had recently taken early retirement from Northern Rail.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Budget Council meeting held on 23 February 2023.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Budget Council meeting held on 23 February 2023 be approved and then signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To consider any announcements made by the Lord Mayor in respect of Civic business.

The Lord Mayor announced that he had recently received the following gifts on behalf of the City:

·        A portrait painted by a soldier wounded in Ukraine, at an exhibition of art created as part of rehabilitation activities;

·        A folk ornament from Thai local government officials at a University reception.

The Lord Mayor went on to read out a message from Cllr John Galvin, a long-serving Member and former Lord Mayor who was standing down at the next Election.  He paid tribute to Cllr Galvin, who was unable to attend the Council meeting due to illness.

At this point in the meeting, any member of the public who has registered to address the Council, or to ask a Member of the Council a question, on a matter directly relevant to the business of the Council or the City, may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Tuesday, 21 March 2023.

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 public meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission.  The remote public meeting can be viewed live and on demand at

www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

During coronavirus, we made some changes to how we're running council meetings.  See our updates at www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy for more information on meetings and decisions.

It was reported that 10 people had registered to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Aoibheann Kilfeather spoke on Agenda Item 8(iii) (Motion on Removing Barriers to an Education and Educational Attainment), highlighting the importance of SEN support for school-refusing children of primary school age. Her daughter, Aoife, also spoke to share her own experience of this support and her successful return to school.

James Else also spoke on Motion (iii) in relation to SEN support, stating that teachers were doing an outstanding job within an outdated framework that had led to a negative spiral, particularly at secondary school, and was not fit for purpose.

Emma Strachan also spoke on Motion (iii), on behalf of a group of parents who believed their children with SEND were being failed by the education system in York, highlighting issues that had resulted from replacing teaching assistants with agency staff.

Cathryn Auplish also spoke on Motion (iii), as a parent of two children with SEND, sharing her own experiences of what  had and hadn’t worked and recommending the development of a protocol as a first step to improvement.

Debbie Cobbett spoke on Agenda Items 6, 7, 10 and 11 (Reports of the Leader, Deputy Leader, Executive Member and Scrutiny Chair), expressing concern about a lack of publicity in York on voter ID requirements and stressing the need to address issues affecting the city, particularly in relation to climate change.

Flick Williams spoke on Agenda Item 11 (Report of the Scrutiny Chair), agreeing with the content of the report and stating that scrutiny committees must be properly resourced if the Council were continue to operate under the Leader and Executive model.

The remaining registered speakers did not attend the meeting.

To consider any petitions received from Members in accordance with Standing Order B5.  Notice has been received of four petitions, to be presented by:

(i)           Cllr Doughty, on behalf of residents of Strensall and Earswick, calling for the City of York Council to prioritise the creation of an off-road cycle path connecting Strensall with Huntington and Earswick.

(ii)         Cllr Doughty, on behalf of residents of Strensall calling for the council to prioritise re-surfacing of Haxby Moor Road, the link road from Strensall to Haxby, by adding it to the Highways Department work plans list.

(iii)        Cllr Doughty, on behalf of residents of Stockton-on-the-Forest asking the council to prioritise the resurfacing of Stone Riggs, Sandy Lane, Kingsmoor Road and the cul-de-sacs off including Chaumont Way, Marmian Drive, Gay Meadows and The Limes by adding them to the Highways Department work plans list.

(iv)        Cllr Smalley, from residents calling on the council to adopt the roads and infrastructure on the Granary (RedRow) Estate in Clifton Without, working with Yorkshire Water, Persimmon and RedRow to resolve all outstanding issues.

Under Rule B5 2, the following petitions were presented for reference to the Customer and Corporate Services Scrutiny Management Committee, in accordance with the Council’s petition arrangements:

(i)      A petition presented by Cllr Doughty, on behalf of residents calling on the council to prioritise the creation of an off-road cycle path connecting Strensall with Huntington and Earswick.¹

(ii)      A petition presented by Cllr Doughty, on behalf of residents of Strensall, calling on the council to prioritise the re-surfacing of Haxby Moor Road.²

(iii)     A petition presented by Cllr Doughty, on behalf of residents of Stockton-on-the-Forest, asking the council to prioritise the re-surfacing of a number of roads in their area.³

(iv)    A petition presented by Cllr Smalley, on behalf of residents calling on the council to adopt the roads and infrastructure on the Granary (RedRow) Estate in Clifton Without.⁴

To receive and consider a written report from the Leader, and to ask questions on the work of the Executive.

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

Members were then invited to question the 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:

2023/24 Council Budget

From Cllr Kilbane: Executive Members are telling people on the doorstep that exclusion of Blue Badge holders from the city centre was forced on them by the security services, which contradicts the account of former Supt. Mark Khan.  Have ruling councillors agreed privately to mislead the public, and if not will you commit to disciplining those councillors who are telling people that?

Response: On the substantive question you are asking, we want everyone to safely enjoy our historic and beautiful city safely.  As you know, strong advice was given…. If you want me to answer your tittle tattle question, I have seen your comments on social media, which I do not think are correct.

[Supplementary from Cllr Crawshaw: You are therefore suggesting that my father, who had his door knocked by 2 Executive Members and was told that they had not taken the decision to exclude Blue Badge holders from the city centre when they clearly had done [was not telling the truth]?]

Supplementary Response:  You’ve not told me who or sent any message to me, so it’s impossible to answer that question. I do not believe the way you characterise it was exactly how it happened.  I would be very happy to give you a substantive answer to the important questions you raise but you were heckling me so it was impossible to do so.]

Devolution

From Cllr Warters: Are you content to leave as your legacy to York the handing over of significant powers to an elected Mayor, who is very likely to be the current Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner your colleagues have been critical of in the Lib Dem motion at this meeting?

Response: York & North Yorkshire Devolution is a real opportunity for the city and the only way we will get significant funding to deliver projects to make a real difference in decades to come.  In that sense, I couldn’t care less who the Mayor is in May 2024; what’s really important is to put aside our small political concerns and grasp the opportunities it gives.

[Supplementary: What happened to the promises you made under the Labour administration once you got the position of Leader?]

Supplementary Response: There was a hung council when Labour lost power and Opposition groups came together at that time and looked at various things, including how the Council makes its decisions.  One of the things everyone signed up to was to do a review of that process and it will be for the new Council to follow that up and look at the pros and cons of different models going forward.

Purple Flag

From Cllr Lomas: This is a question I received from a resident  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

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 D’Agorne.

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:

10 Year Vision for Transport and Consultation

From Cllr Webb: Your administration has presided over a significant decline in cycling rates, squandered sustainable travel opportunities and set back traffic reduction by years.  Given this track record, why would residents who share a vision of a cleaner, lower polluting city with more and safer active travel options back the Green party in this election?

Response: Because it has the vision and has already made a number of significant changes, as can be demonstrated by looking at the policies brought forward in spite of the challenges of Covid etc.  We are committed to making good on those promises and implementing the schemes drawn up.  We have to secure the funding to be able to deliver them, hopefully with cross-party support.  We have a draft Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan which I hope all parties will be contributing towards so that we can make active travel a positive choice for people instead of using the car.

[Supplementary from Cllr Kilbane: Why have you spent 4 years talking about things rather than doing them?]

Supplementary Response: Certain projects in the past have moved forward without having that underpinning, and the last Labour administration did a u-turn on sustainable travel.  We have been careful to try and avoid that situation by making sure our policies are underpinned with evidence and have the support of residents.

From Cllr Wann: Do you share my concerns about the national cuts to the Active Travel England programme?

Response:  That certainly is a serious concern – the government put in place ambitious policies to promote Active Travel, with 50% of local trips to be by walking or cycling, but that cannot happen overnight without funding.  If the government is going to withdraw that funding, the targets will not be met.  Depending on the outcome of our most recent bid we may be able to put forward a fully costed response to the riverside path to Jubilee Terrace.  Some funding and how that would be spent was identified at my Decision Session, but we need additional funding to be able to deliver.

[Supplementary from Cllr K Taylor: The city’s indicative allocation was £360k but a bid for £1.57m was submitted for the riverside pathway scheme.  What is the Plan B if that doesn’t succeed?]

Supplementary Response:  The figure you quote is correct, but the letter from the DoT indicates that councils are encouraged to bid for more if appropriate and that’s what we did.  Your project did well to get to that point of being put forward.

From Cllr Crawshaw: In December 2019 you voted in favour of a motion to remove non-essential vehicles from the city centre and said you would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

To consider the following Motions on Notice under Standing Order B13:

Motions submitted for consideration directly by Council

(i)      From Cllr Baker

Care Leavers Transport Costs

“Council notes:

·        That care leavers over the age of 18 are currently offered:

o   10 hours of driving lessons

o   Support with passing the Compulsory Basic Training (for motorcycles

o   The cost of the first driving theory test

o   The cost of the first driving test.

·        That all these are contributions to moving forward with travelling using a private motor vehicle (car or motorcycle) and that these do not offer support for costs relating to public transport or incentives to choose active travel.

Council believes:

·        That this disparity is not consistent with our corporate 10 years strategies to reduce carbon emissions, promote healthy lifestyles and promote an inclusive economy including more affordable travel options.

• That it is important to enable care leavers to choose active travel habits in their day to day lives as they move towards independence and that as a corporate parent the Council should assist them to do so.

·         That it is important to ensure that this is addressed in terms of widening the offer to Care Leavers.

Council therefore resolves to request that Executive consider what additional offer to Care Leavers could rectify this situation and to assess the feasibility of also offering care leavers the option of:

·         Financial assistance with annual bus travel and discounted access to the TIER e-cycle/ e-scooter scheme up to the age of 25;

·         Free urban cycle skills training if required;

• A contribution towards a bicycle and appropriate protective clothing and through working with partners, find ways to cover the full costs of a new bicycle and appropriate accessories.”

(ii)      From Cllr Daubeney

Return to Community Policing

“This Council notes that:

·        The number of Police Community Support Officers has fallen by 20% (50 full-time equivalent PCSOs) since 2021 across North Yorkshire.

·        Despite a 4.99 per cent rise in the Police percept, which amounts to £14.03 extra for the average band D household, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has paused PCSO recruitment until March 2024.

·        The Home Office is allocating just over £72 per head for police services in North Yorkshire, whilst Kent receives £113 and South Yorkshire Force receives £170.

·        The 2023/24 budget provides £150k investment to improve community safety, tackling anti social behaviour hotspots, including through funding of extra specialist youth support workers.

·        Devolved Ward funding has been used by ward councillors to support youth engagement activities, which support the work of the Safer York Partnership.

·        Antisocial behaviour crime makes up 22.7% of all crimes reported in York.

·        Whilst the number of ASB related incidents in York has decreased since the end of the pandemic, for certain areas, it remains a significant issue.

·        Safer York Partnership provides both the strategic direction for community safety and oversees the coordinated delivery of community safety outcomes across the city of York and has representatives from key voluntary and statutory agencies including City of York  ...  view the full agenda text for item 59.

(i)      Care Leavers’ Transport Costs

Cllr Baker sought consent to alter her motion to incorporate the amendment submitted by Cllr Webb.

Council having granted consent, the altered motion was moved by Cllr Baker and seconded by Cllr D’Agorne, as follows:

“Council notes:

·        That all Councillors are corporate parents and that a key principle of this responsibility is to help ensure that children & young people in our care are provided with the same opportunities that children and young people might reasonably expect to be provided with in any family;

·        That care leavers over the age of 18 are currently offered:

o   10 hours of driving lessons

o   Support with passing the Compulsory Basic Training (for motorcycles

o   The cost of the first driving theory test

o   The cost of the first driving test.

·        That such support around private transport can help care leavers to access employment and leisure opportunities;

·        That the council does not currently offer equivalent support for costs relating to public transport or incentives to choose active travel.

Council believes:

·        That care leavers often face a significant range of barriers, crossing all spheres of life, and that we as corporate parents should always be mindful of our responsibility to work to remove these barriers wherever and however we can, acknowledging that just like in any family, the priorities of children and young people might not always align with those of the people responsible for them;

• That it is important to enable care leavers to choose low or no carbon travel options through the use of public transport andactive travel habits in their day to day lives as they develop into adulthood and that as a corporate parent the Council should assist them to do so.

·        That being able to travel beyond the city’s boundaries is important for both job opportunities and broader life experiences. 

Council therefore resolves to request that following May’s elections, the new Executive consider what additional offer could be made to Care Leavers including assessing the feasibility of also offering care leavers the option of:

·        Financial assistance with annual bus travel, a 16–25 rail card and discounted access to the TIER e-cycle/ e-scooter scheme up to the age of 25;

·        Free urban cycle skills training;

·        A contribution towards a bicycle and appropriate protective clothing and through working with partners, find ways to cover the full costs of a new bicycle and appropriate accessories.”

On being put to the vote, the motion was declared CARRIED and it was

Resolved:  That the above motion be approved.¹

(ii)      Return to Community Policing

Moved by Cllr Daubeney, seconded by Cllr Smalley.

“This Council notes that:

·        The number of Police Community Support Officers has fallen by 20% (50 full-time equivalent PCSOs) since 2021 across North Yorkshire.

·        Despite a 4.99 per cent rise in the Police percept, which amounts to £14.03 extra for the average band D household, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has paused PCSO recruitment until March 2024.

·        The Home Office is allocating just over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To question the Leader and/or Executive Members in respect of any matter within their portfolio responsibility, in accordance with Standing Order B11.

Question to Cllr Craghill, Executive Member for Housing & Community Safety

From Cllr Waudby: Can you outline the work that has taken place to ensure that anyone operating short-term holiday letsin the city is aware of their responsibilities and makes sure to respect their local community?

Response: This is a concern for many residents, particularly in central wards like my own.  A certain number of holiday lets is to be expected but the growing numbers are causing two main concerns -  the impact of large groups on neighbourhoods and the potential effect on the availability and affordability of housing for York residents.  We have limited powers to tackle these issues but are doing all we can and have produced guidance setting out the responsibilities of the letters, including management of noise and advice to check whether planning permission is needed.  In cases of a material change of use we take enforcement action. The council is committed to building an evidence base on the impact of holiday lets in preparation for any government changes to the planning system, which we have lobbied for.

To receive a written report from the Executive Member for Economy & Strategic Planning and to question the Executive Member thereon, in accordance with Standing Orders B9 and B10.

The report was received.  No questions were put, as the guillotine had fallen.

To receive a report from Councillor Crawshaw, Chair of the Customer & Corporate Services Scrutiny Management Committee, on the work of the Committee.

The report was received.

To receive for approval the council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2023/2024.

Council received a report which presented the Pay Policy Statement for 2023-2024.

As the guillotine had fallen, the following recommendation contained in the report was deemed moved and seconded and was voted on without debate:

“That Council approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2023 – 2024. 

Reason:     In order to fulfil the requirements of Section 38 – 43 of the Localism Act 2011 for the council to produce and publish an annual policy statement that covers a number of matters concerning the pay of the council’s senior staff, principally Chief Officers and relationships with the pay of the rest of the workforce.”

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was declared CARRIED and it was

Resolved:  That the above recommendation be approved.¹

On closing the meeting, the Lord Mayor thanked all Members, and in particular those who would be standing down at the election in May, for their hard work and dedication to the City.