Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members present were invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Merrett declared a personal non prejudicial interest in relation to Agenda item 6 (Review of Council Supported Community Transport) as a founder member of York Wheels. He confirmed that he had however had no direct involvement with the body for a number of years but knew the Operations Manager who was also a Cabinet colleague.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last Decision Session meeting held on 27 September 2011.

RESOLVED:                That the minutes of the last Decision Session – Cabinet Member for City Strategy, held on 27 September 2011 be approved and signed by the Cabinet Member as a correct record.

It was reported that there had been two registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme. The Cabinet Member also granted two requests to speak from Council members.

A resident of Osbaldwick Lane spoke on behalf of local residents in support of the alternative scheme detailed at Annex C of the report (Derwenthorpe Section 278, Phase 1 – Osbaldwick Lane, Pedestrian Crossing) providing dropped kerbs and path improvements. She confirmed that residents objected to any proposals for a zebra crossing at the suggested locations as they felt they were unnecessary and in the wrong position. She pointed out that this was not a busy road which pedestrians had no problems in crossing. She pointed out that if the authority wished to provide a crossing that this should be sited nearer to the Tang Hall Lane junction to provide a safe crossing for pupils attending both Archbishop’s and Derwent Schools.

Councillor Warters thanked officers for their extensive report in relation to the Osbaldwick Lane, pedestrian crossing and for meeting residents in relation to the proposals. He confirmed his support for the alternative scheme at Annex C. He did however ask if officers could re-examine the proposed dropped kerb crossing adjacent to the village hall as this was at a point where the narrowness of the road could lead to bus’s mounting the kerb and at the new barriers at the playing field entrance to ensure that it did not open up the path to motorbikes.

Representations were received from a Rawcliffe resident in relation to Agenda item 5 Review of Emergency Bus Tenders. She pointed out that bus service issues had dominated recent Ward meetings. There was a need she felt for an integrated approach to public transport and for it to be seen in the wider context of social inclusion. Lifelong learning was to be encouraged for both employment and leisure but this was difficult with little public transport in the evenings. Reference was made to the emergency measures put in place on the No 19 service and to the reductions in passengers numbers which, it was pointed out, would take some time to recover. She also referred to government recommendations for the provision of fuller consultation to address the impact of cuts in public transport services and its affect on the most vulnerable in society.

Councillor Watt also referred to the extent of concern raised at the Ward meetings in relation to bus services in the Rawcliffe/Skelton area. He expressed his appreciation for the work undertaken by the Cabinet Member and Officers but pointed out that additional work was required on consultation and provision of information. Skelton residents required a bus link to the Park and Ride site and from the Park and Ride site to Tesco’s. Rawcliffe residents were generally happy with the service with the exception of the gap in evening services which required addressing. He requested improvements in marketing and consultation for his Ward to improve the take up of services.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

This report presents an update on the provision of a pedestrian crossing point on Osbaldwick Lane as part of the planning conditions imposed on the Derwenthorpe housing development. The report examines feedback from consultation on a zebra crossing scheme and possible alternatives.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member for City Strategy agrees to:

 i)          Note the concerns raised in relation to the zebra crossing proposal.

ii)          Give in principle approval and authorises consultation on the suggested alternative scheme detailed at paragraph 25 of the report (Annex C) with feedback being reported back to a future meeting.

REASON:                     To provide the most suitable solution for accommodating increased pedestrian crossing movements on Osbaldwick Lane.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which updated him on work undertaken in relation to the provision of a crossing point on Osbaldwick Lane as part of the planning conditions imposed on the Derwenthorpe housing development.

Details of feedback following consultation on a zebra crossing scheme and possible alternative proposals were presented by officers for consideration.

The Cabinet Member considered the following options in respect of his decision:

a) Approve the original proposals for a zebra crossing to the west of the Hambleton Avenue junction, with approval to advertise a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce parking restrictions to complement the new crossing. 

b) Grant in principle approval and authorise consultation on the alternative scheme with feedback to be reported back to a future meeting.

The Cabinet Member expressed support for the revised scheme following the results of resident and member consultation. He did however request officers to undertake further discussions with Councillor Warters in respect of the issues he had raised at the meeting. ^1.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member for City Strategy agrees to:

 i)          Note the concerns raised in relation to the zebra crossing proposal.

ii)          Give in principle approval and authorises consultation on the suggested alternative scheme detailed at paragraph 25 of the report (Annex C) with feedback being reported back to a future meeting. ^2.

REASON:                     To provide the most suitable solution for accommodating increased pedestrian crossing movements on Osbaldwick Lane.

This report considers the bus services which have been procured by the Council on an emergency basis and considers the benefit of each bus route to the communities served and the performance of the journeys funded. The Cabinet Member is asked to consider the options for the continuation, alteration or cessation of the services.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member for City Strategy agrees to:

i)       Retain the current network of Council subsidised bus routes and journeys for 2011/12 as set out in table A at paragraph 15 of the report.

ii)       Consult on and deliver viable public transport provision for the areas currently served by routes 13 and 19.

REASON:                     This course of action will allow the Council to continue to work towards its stated aim of delivering a significant improvement to the bus network whilst at the same time ensuring that resources are spent in line with the Council’s stated criteria for the funding of public bus services.

The Cabinet Member examined a report which set out details of the bus services procured by the Council on an emergency basis and examined the benefit of each bus route to the communities served together with the performance of the journeys funded.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that it had not been possible to amend the majority of inherited services however he had asked officers to undertake consultation prior to further revisions in service. Discussions had also been undertaken regarding timescales with the Quality Bus Partnership. He pointed out that marketing was important, particularly with the difficult budget situation, but that he was committed to improving services.

Consideration was given to the following options:

a.   Retain the current network of Council subsidised bus routes and journeys for 2011/12 as set out in table A at paragraph 15 of this report. Consult on and deliver viable public transport provision for the areas currently served by routes 13 and 19.

b.   Consult on the discontinuation of one or more or of the services which have not been tendered and which do not meet the Council’s criteria for subsidy as set out in this report

Following further discussion it was

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member for City Strategy agrees to:

i)       Retain the current network of Council subsidised bus routes and journeys for 2011/12 as set out in table A at paragraph 15 of the report.

ii)       Consult on and deliver viable public transport provision for the areas currently served by routes 13 and 19. ^1.

REASON:                     This course of action will allow the Council to continue to work towards its stated aim of delivering a significant improvement to the bus network whilst at the same time ensuring that resources are spent in line with the Council’s stated criteria for the funding of public bus services.

This report examines the way the Council supports York Wheels Limited and  the arrangements currently in place to deliver York’s Dial and Ride service. The report also recommends a response to a proposal from York Wheels to take a greater role in planning and delivering community transport services.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member for City Strategy agrees to the following recommendations  to Cabinet: *

i)             To note the report contents.

ii)            Agree to York Wheels taking responsibility and control for the planning and delivery of Dial and Ride, within the context of a revised service level agreement.

iii)          Ask officers to negotiate the details of a service level agreement with York Wheels to support the range of services that it currently delivers and its Dial and Ride service.

iv)          Agree to the requested grant settlement for the period January to December 2012 and delegate responsibility to officers for the grant agreement for subsequent years within agreed budgetary limitations.

REASON:                     This course of action will allow the Council to continue to support York Wheels in its delivery of services to York residents at a sustainable cost. It will also allow York Wheels the flexibility to adapt its services to the changing needs of York’s residents and communities.

*This decision will be put to the Cabinet for agreement on 6 December as Cllr Merrett expressed a personal non prejudicial interest in relation to this item as a founder member of York Wheels. Although he had had no direct involvement with the body for a number of years he also knew the Operations Manager also a Cabinet member.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which outlined the current support given to York Wheels and the arrangements currently in place to deliver York’s Dial and Ride service which the charity managed and delivered on a day to day basis for the Council.

York Wheels proposed taking a greater role in planning and delivering the community transport services.

The Cabinet Member considered the following options:

A.  Continue to award the annual grant, at the same level, to York Wheels for its other operations and conduct a tendering exercise to procure a Dial & Ride service from the open market

B.  Implement a framework service level agreement with York Wheels, with a fixed grant payment each year and with York Wheels taking responsibility for the planning and delivery of Dial & Ride.

It was reported that under both options the Council would pass over a number of responsibilities to the service operator whilst retaining others, details of which were set out at paragraphs 19 and 20 of the report.

The Cabinet Member confirmed his support for Option B subject to negotiation of improved marketing in the financial settlement. ^1.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member for City Strategy agrees to make the following recommendations  to Cabinet: *

i)             To note the report contents.

ii)            Agree to York Wheels taking responsibility and control for the planning and delivery of Dial and Ride, within the context of a revised service level agreement.

iii)          Ask officers to negotiate the details of a service level agreement with York Wheels to support the range of services that it currently delivers and its Dial and Ride service.

iv)          Agree to the requested grant settlement for the period January to December 2012 and delegate responsibility to officers for the grant agreement for subsequent years within agreed budgetary limitations. ^2.

REASON:                     This course of action will allow the Council to continue to support York Wheels in its delivery of services to York residents at a sustainable cost. It will also allow York Wheels the flexibility to adapt its services to the changing needs of York’s residents and communities.

*This decision will be put to the Cabinet for agreement on 6 December as Cllr Merrett expressed a personal non prejudicial interest in relation to this item as a founder member of York Wheels. Although he had had no direct involvement with the body for a number of years he knew the Operations Manager who was also a Cabinet colleague.

This report sets out progress to date on schemes in the 2011/12 City Strategy Capital Programme, including budget spend to the end of September 2011 and proposes adjustments to scheme allocations to align with the latest cost estimates and delivery projections.

RESOLVED:   That the Cabinet Member for City Strategy agrees to:

i)      Approve the adjustments to scheme allocations set out in Annexes 1 and 2 of the report.

ii)     Approve the increase to the 2011/12 City Strategy capital budget, subject to the approval of the Cabinet.

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

This report sets out progress to date on schemes in the 2011/12 City Strategy Capital Programme, including budget spend to the end of September 2011 for the Cabinet Members information.

Details of adjustments to scheme allocations to align with the latest cost estimates and delivery projections were set out at Annexes 1 and 2 of the report.

The current approved City Strategy Planning and Transport Capital Programme budget of £3,210k would it was reported increase to £3,804k with acceptance of the proposed changes.

RESOLVED:       That the Cabinet Member for City Strategy agrees to:

i)      Approve the adjustments to scheme allocations set out in Annexes 1 and 2 of the report.

ii)     Approve the increase to the 2011/12 City Strategy capital budget, subject to the approval of the Cabinet. ^1.

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