Agenda and minutes

·        York Energy Advice - Ivana Jakubkova

·        CYC Benefits Advice – Aleks Fernes

·        Citizens Advice York – Adam Shepherd

·        Local Area Coordinator – Siobhán Moore

·        Community Health Champions – Hannah Hall

Sit-down portion of the meeting begins formally

Welcome

The Chair (Cllr Fitzpatrick) welcomed everyone to the meeting, and let the attendees know the fire exits and safety procedure. The Chair then explained that Andy Kerr would begin his presentation and that any questions regarding City Centre Access should be directed to members of the Executive, as they have had their decision-making session – Cllr Craghill offered her time to discuss later as a member of the Executive.

Item 2 à 6:30pm – Regeneration of the City Centre

Andy Kerr, the Head of Regeneration and Economy gave a presentation.

·        Andy introduced the history and outcomes of the recent My City Centre consultations: A long term social, environmental and economic strategic vision for a sustainable future for York city centre

·        Andy then explained the engagement that had taken place with the community, local groups, and other networks of York residents, such as York Mumbler

·        Andy also outlined the stakeholders and partners – University of York, North Yorkshire Police, Make It York, York BID, York CVS, Canal and River Trust, York Civic Trust, Guilds representative, York St. John University, York Minster, York Retail Forum, York Hospitality Association, City of York Council, York Cultural Leaders Group, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Disabled Users Group and Indie York.

·        Some 86% of residents who took part in the survey were in support of the proposals

·        There were 8 key outcomes from the consultation

·        1 – Family-friendly city centre – new play spaces, open spaces for family activities, all-age provision, toilet provision, improve information about city centre events, more indoor spaces, new experience-based attractions

·        2 – Events, experiences and sustainable investment in public spaces – invest in public spaces, locations for events and greening the city centre. Events to be: broader, inclusive, cheaper, simpler, less disruptive, better advertised.

·        3 – An attractive city offer at all times – consider use of city centre by those working from home, offset the impact of workers spending in midweek – e.g. evenings after work and lunchtimes. Family friendly activity in early-evenings. Support outdoor eating and café culture, and manage and minimise night-time economy issues.

·        4 – Making tourism work for York – sustainability of the essential tourism sector. Focus: Respect who lives here. Continue to offer better employment as practice by some independent businesses paying staff living wage and better wage. Improve quality of jobs in tourism sector. Provide targeted priority measures for residents over visitors. Look into a York Gift Scheme where visitors could donate to the running of the city with a touch point e.g. for donations of upkeep of City Walls to those visiting City Walls

·        5 – Embracing our riversides – better celebrate the historic, cultural and environmental benefits of our two rivers. Improve riverside spaces, walkways and river corridors. Manage flooding impacts and ensure river safety

·        6 – A safe city centre community which is welcoming to all and accepting of all – successful confident communities for residents to live in. Improve services,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Item 3 – Safer Communities, Supt. Mark Khan, Senior Operational Commander

Chair explained that there will be a plan for a Summit where these issues and cases can be discussed in more detail for those residents affected. Chair introduced Supt. Khan.

Supt. Mark Khan explained that Guildhall ward is split into two neighbourhood teams – one for the inner city and one for the outer city parts. Supt. Khan explained that the focus of their resource had been on investigation rather than location policing. Police are now looking to move towards prevention and early intervention and he outlined the three steps to get there:

1.     Change – culture, partners and community

2.     Intelligence and information

3.     Pathways – signpost to agencies and connecting services

This would lead to a place-based working approach, which focuses resource to identify places and then resource those needs identified in those places. This place-based working approach would enable them to map resources and York and Selby Command are working with Alison Semmence from York CVS (not present) on this approach.

Guildhall is the busiest ward in York and busiest in area other than Scarborough

NYP want to build relation with community and partners.

Supt. Khan knows that there is a gap in service. Investigations are resource-intensive, complex and high demand.

The move to community policing is because it’s what the public want.

Supt. Khan and the Chair then opened the floor to questions, with Paul Morrison on ASB Hub and Lee Pointon from NYP also offering their expertise. Answers indicated by ‘A’ are answered by Supt. Khan unless stated otherwise:

                               i.            Comment from a resident that residents see very little of police in Walmgate and worries about misuse of police resource. Resident claims the Police Officers stand and do nothing

A.   Supt. Khan explained that some investigations can need some 5 or 6 officers at any one scene, and assured the resident that the police officer in question would have been doing something and performing their role.

                             ii.            Comment from resident about ASB, drug using, dealing and public urination, near where resident lives and this is upsetting. Resident complained of seeing police PR exercises - resident doesn’t see them policing and meeting needs of public

A.   Supt. Khan explained that the ‘PR exercise’ the resident had seen is an actual role as part of the police’s counter terrorism strategy. Supt. Khan elaborated that really the police are doing good work, there has been an increase in more confidence reporting to police and, though that can sometimes look like crime is up, and it’s just being reported more often. Supt. Khan explains to the residents that it’s unlikely that they would see on the street all the work the police do. Not all police work is visible. Supt. Khan then explained that he understands it is important for legitimacy for the public to see police. He said, let’s work together to identify community groups and improve communication. There is a requirement from public for police to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Chair invited residents and partners to stay for the next portion of the meeting on Ward Budgets, Ward Funding and Ward matters, or gave the option for others not interested in staying for those parts to leave the session meeting. Some residents left the meeting at this point.

The Chair opened the final item of Have Your Say and AOB

Item 4 – Have Your Say and AOB

       i.            A resident commented that you can report ASB to City of York Council as well

     ii.            The Chair reviewed the Minutes from the previous meeting and raised actions that had occurred since.

A.   Shiona Marsh explained the process of Ward Funding and offered contact details to anyone interested in applying for Ward Funding. SM also confirmed that posters had been publicised around the Guildhall Ward to spread the message that Ward Funding is available and the ward is open to applications.

  iii.            A resident asked about what ward funding was available

A.   The Chair and Shiona Marsh confirmed that Ward funding is available and that there are details online or Shiona Marsh can be contacted regarding any queries about applying.

   iv.            A resident asked about the HEIP process and for it to be broken down

A.   Cllr Denise Craghill explained the funding and asked Shiona Marsh for comment. Shiona Marsh explained that Housing Environmental Improvements Programme is a 4 year programme running from 2019-2023 and explained the unexpected delays to scheme delivery as a consequence of COVID delaying process of consultations, material shortage and understaffing due to HGV shortage and the need for Contractors to undertake works as consequence. She reassured residents that they can email for an update and that unless Councillors did not approve a scheme or a scheme was found not viable, then any current schemes would be delivered within the period of 2019-2023. Shiona Marsh offered herself or a Housing Management Officer as a point of contact about HEIP.

B.    Councillor Looker added that the Guildhall Ward Committee is happy to share updates with residents and that they have two meetings set in the diary for updates on the ward’s HEIP schemes and Highways schemes.

     v.            A resident from Groves Association asked about their meeting

   vi.            A resident from Walmgate Community Association raised similar comments

vii.            There was a brief discussion on Resident Associations, the guidance from Julie Hood and the Housing team, their constitutions and voting practices and the support offered by City of York Council to use Zoom or in-person meetings.

A.   Cllr Craghill confirmed the process of HEIP and RAs. SM offered to follow this up and get back to the residents in question.

The Chair called for Any Other Business

       i.            A resident came forwards as a cyclist and said that they often confronted broken glass, perhaps due to the Christmas Market and expressed concern over potential hazard

a.      Another, part two AOB from the same resident was about the coach park at Clarence Street with concern for the flowerbeds being used  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.