Agenda item

To consider the decision of the Executive on the above item, which has been called in by Councillors Fraser, Gunnell and Merrett in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution.  A cover report is attached setting out the reasons for the call-in and the remit and powers of Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling In) in relation to the call-in procedure, together with the original report and decision of the Executive.

Members received a report which asked them to consider the decisions taken by the Executive, at their meeting on 30 June 2008, regarding the grant of a new 99 year lease of land to York Racecourse.  The decision had taken account of the results of further negotiations between Council Officers and the Racecourse, as requested by the Executive on 27 November 2007.

An extract from the minutes of the Executive meeting, setting out their decisions on this item, was attached as Annex A to the report.  The original report, on which that decision had been based, was attached as Annex B.  The decision had been called in by Cllrs Fraser, Merrett and Gunnell for the following reason:

“That in making their decisions the Council’s Executive gave inadequate consideration to the concerns of local residents.”

Members were invited to consider the following options:

Option A – confirm the decisions of the Executive, on the grounds that there was no basis for reconsideration;

Option B- refer the decisions back to the Executive, for them to reconsider or amend in part their decisions.

Cllrs Merrett and Fraser addressed the meeting on behalf of the Calling-In Members. They expressed their support for the Racecourse as an attraction to visitors and residents but emphasised that the problems with policing, toilet arrangements and traffic management had still not been addressed.  They urged the Committee to recommend that the Council find extra funding, either from the lease income or by seeking a contribution from the Racecourse, to address the policing and toilet issues this year and that a wider review of traffic issues be carried out, taking account of new developments in this area.  They also suggested that the Racecourse should offer benefits to local residents, such as discounted tickets.

After questions and a full debate, Cllr Scott moved, and Cllr Blanchard seconded, that the decisions be referred back to the Executive with the following recommendations:

“a)       That the new lease be entered into, in accordance with the Executive’s Resolution (i)

b)         That the contribution of York Racecourse to the economy of the City be recognised;

c)         That monies be provided by the Council, either from the lease income or by other financial provision, to combat anti-social behaviour by race-goers, including littering and toilets, and to provide proper policing;

d)         That a Traffic Masterplan be prepared to examine traffic issues for the whole area around the Racecourse, taking into account the new development at the Terrys factory site and the potential new community stadium.”

On being put to the vote, the above motion was declared carried by 5 votes to 3 and it was

RESOLVED: That Option B be approved and the decisions referred back to the Executive for reconsideration, with a recommendation that they:¹

a)     confirm their original decision to grant the new lease, in accordance with Resolution (i) from the meeting on 30 June;

b)     recognise the contribution of York Racecourse to the economy of the City;

c)      resolve that monies be provided by the Council, either from the lease income or by other financial provision, to combat anti-social behaviour by race-goers, including littering and toilets, and to provide proper policing;

d)     resolve that a Traffic Masterplan be prepared to examine traffic issues for the whole area around the Racecourse, taking into account the new development at the Terrys factory site and the potential new community stadium.

REASON:      In accordance with the Constitutional procedures for called-in decisions and to deal with the issues raised by the Calling-In Members.