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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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Meeting |
Executive |
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Date |
2 September 2025 |
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Present |
Councillors Douglas (Chair), Kilbane (Vice-Chair), Kent, Lomas, Pavlovic, Ravilious, Steels-Walshaw and Webb |
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In attendance |
Councillor Ayre (Opposition Group Leader) |
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126. Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
127. Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
128. Exclusion of Press and Public
Resolved: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting in relation to Appendix G to agenda item 7 on the grounds that it contains information relating to an individual, information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual, and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). This information is classed as exempt under paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).
129. Minutes
Resolved: That the minutes of the Executive meeting held on
15 July 2025 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct
record.
130. Public Participation
It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
Flick Williams spoke in relation to the Bus Enhanced Partnership and associated bus issues.
It was reported that in February 2024 after issues of bus accessibility were repeatedly raised at the Enhanced Partnership it was agreed to convene a Task and Finish group to examine these issues. The Task and Finish group consisted of two Executive Members.
It was reported that there were issues with perpetual delays to arranging meetings of the Task and Finish group and meetings losing focus due to the unwieldy number of members on the group. A great deal of time was spent explaining issues to officers due to a lack of knowledge or familiarity with the issues.
The Task and Finish group reached its conclusion in May 2025, when it was agreed to refer the tracker spreadsheet it had created back to the Enhanced Partnership (EP) for updates on progress at monthly meetings.
The EP was still to meet. The June meeting was cancelled and the day before the scheduled July meeting an e-mail confirmed that all meetings were to be cancelled, whilst a decision was made about switching to a single meeting every six months.
There was concern about how monthly updates were to be provided, particularly given the reluctance of First Bus to share their access refusal data with none provided since February.
In an e-mail to which no response had been received:
‘It is disrespectful of the time and effort of people, who receive no remuneration, who worked hard on this in the hope of seeing improvements. To be frank, it is another example of a culture that purports to want community involvement yet acts in a way that makes the input of knowledgeable volunteers a performative waste of our time. You leave us no alternative to shouting from the sidelines.’
There was a request for answers in relation to the EP and the alternative mechanism for timely updates to the accessibility tracker, which included access refusal data.
The Leader thanked the public participant for the presentation and advised that the issues were to be referred to the Executive Member for Transport. A response was to be provided in due course.
131. Forward Plan
Members received and noted details of items that were on the Forward Plan for the next two Executive meetings at the time of agenda publication.
132. Harewood Whin Green Energy Park
The Chief Strategy Officer submitted a report which invited Executive to consider whether to progress with the Full Business Case (FBC), subject to further funding from the Combined Authority Energy Generation Accelerator Programme (EGAP).
The following information was appended to the report:
· Annex A: Outline Business Case
Outline Business Case Appendices:
· Appendix A: Annex A_HW Baseline Report
· Appendix B: HW Baseline and Options Review
· Appendix C: HW Financial Models and Cashflow
· Appendix D: HW Financial Models and Sensitivity
· Appendix E: HW Strategic Outline Case
· Appendix F: HW Risk Summary
· Appendix G: (EXEMPT) HW Preliminary Title Review
· Appendix H: HW Supplementary Technical Details
· Appendix I: Ground Investigation Interim Summary
· Annex B: Equalities Impact Assessment.
Claire Foale, Chief Strategy Officer, presented the report.
The key areas of discussion were as follows:
· One member highlighted the need to ensure that there was a suitable opportunity for scrutiny to consider this development, particularly given its complex nature.
· The Executive Member thanked officers for ensuring a careful and considered approach to this area of work. That it was an important development, particularly given some of the global uncertainty that existed in relation to energy sources.
· The Leader of the Council concluded by emphasising the positive impact on the Council’s net zero ambitions whilst ensuring affordable energy.
Resolved (unanimously): That Executive accepts the Outline Business Case and approves progression to the next stage, development of a Full Business Case, subject to funding from the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA).
Reason: The Outline Business Case has provided sufficient confidence that there is a viable project to create financial and environmental benefits from a landfill site which is underutilised. The risk and financial impact to City of York Council in further exploring the business case and progressing to Full Business Case is very low. Progress is subject to external funding for the Council and Executive are not asked to authorise any funding from City of York Council at this stage.
133. Murton Neighbourhood Plan - Referendum outcome and 'making' the Plan
The following information was appended to the report:
· Annex A – Declaration of Result of Poll
· Annex B – Regulation 19 Decision Statement
· Annex C – Equalities Impact Assessment.
The following officers attended the meeting and presented the report:
· Alison Cooke, Head of Strategic Planning Policy
· John Roberts, Strategic Planning Policy Officer.
The key areas of discussion were:
· One member expressed concern about the Government’s decision to withdraw funding for future development of neighbourhood plans by parish councils. There was also concern about future development of neighbourhood plans that had already been established.
· The Executive Member acknowledged the written representation submitted by Councillor Warters and the concerns that had been identified. He also highlighted the significant level of time and effort from local communities and officers involved in producing neighbourhood plans and the positive impact that they had.
Resolved (unanimously):
That Executive
i) Notes the results of the referendum that the Murton Neighbourhood Plan now forms part of the City’s Statutory Development Plan.
ii) Agrees that, in accordance with the statutory requirements the Murton Neighbourhood Plan had been formally ‘made’.
iii) Approves the Decision Statement attached as Annex B to the report, subject to the inclusion of Murton Parish Council’s website address, to be published in accordance with the statutory requirements.
Reason: To allow the Neighbourhood Plan to progress in line with neighbourhood planning legislation.
134. Quarter 1 2025/26 Finance and Performance Monitor
The Director of Finance submitted a report which set out the projected financial position and the latest performance information for the period covering 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025.
The following information was appended to the report:
· Annex 1 – Quarter 1 Performance Tables – City Outcomes and Council Delivery Indicators 2023-2027
· Annex 2 – City Centre Movement and Place Dashboard (August 2025).
Debbie Mitchell, Director of Finance, presented the report.
The key areas of discussion were:
· Members thanked officers for their hard work in ensuring a balanced budget despite the challenges that exist.
· One member expressed concern about significant overspends, particularly in relation to adult social care and children’s services. The levels of overspend identified were not considered sustainable.
· The Executive Member highlighted the positive work that had taken place in transforming service areas whilst recognising that there was still more to be done. Budget challenges were highlighted which were constantly monitored. There were specific challenges in relation to statutory areas, which were subject to cost fluctuations due to the complex nature of some cases.
· Another Executive Member reported on work being undertaken by officers to develop some of the metrics associated with development of transport objectives to provide a more accurate and detailed assessment. Reference was made to information and data in relation to levels of traffic, walking and cycling, which had previously been gathered on specific dates and times, which could present a misleading account.
Resolved (unanimously):
That Executive
i) Notes the finance and performance information.
ii) Notes that work will continue on identifying the savings needed to fully mitigate the forecast overspend.
Reason: To ensure expenditure is kept within the approved budget.
135. Capital Programme - Monitor 1 2025/26
The Director of Finance submitted a report which presented the projected outturn position for 2025/26, including any under/overspends and adjustments, along with requests to re-profile budgets to/from current and future years.
The following information was appended to the report:
· Annex 1 – Capital Programme 2025/26 to 2029/30.
Debbie Mitchell, Director of Finance, presented the report.
The key areas of discussion were as follows:
· The Executive Member emphasised the importance of keeping under review the delivery of key projects. There was a need to ensure that there was capacity and resource in place to deliver these projects. Some projects were reliant on external funding arrangements. In relation to Council debt, it was noted that this related to capital borrowing and not day to day revenue spending. It was important to reassure residents that the level of council debt was lower than that of comparable local authorities. Some capital borrowing was necessary to develop infrastructure and there was a need to ensure this was carefully managed in line with statutory advice.
· Another Executive Member highlighted the benefits of key capital projects which included, the York Outer Ring Road, Haxby Station, Station Gateway and the City Centre Sustainable Travel Corridor. Reference was made to the positive impact on the local economy, a reduction in congestion and ensuring a more accessible and connected city.
Resolved (unanimously):
That Executive
i) Recommends to Full Council the adjustments resulting in a reduction in the 2025/26 budget of £412k as detailed in the report.
ii) Notes the 2025/26 revised budget of £180.331m as set out in paragraph 4 and Table 3 of the report.
iii) Notes the restated capital programme for 2025/26 – 2029/30 as set out in Annex 1 of the report.
Reason: To enable the effective management and monitoring of the Council’s capital programme.
iv) Delegates the approval of homes selected for sale at Duncombe Barracks and Burnholme to the Director of Finance (in consultation with the Director of Housing and Communities) where homes are valued over £500k.
Reason: To ensure the sales of such properties can be marketed promptly from plot handover.
v) Allocates £250k from capital contingency to invest in a cultural asset masterplan.
Reason: To provide a basis for attracting external investment into the council’s cultural estate.
136. Treasury Management 2025/26 Quarter 1 report and review of Prudential Indicators
The Director of Finance submitted a report which provided an update on treasury management activity for the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year together with an update of the prudential indicators.
The following information was appended to the report:
· Annex A – Prudential Indicators 2025/26 Quarter 1 (30 June 2025).
Debbie Mitchell, Director of Finance, presented the report.
Resolved (unanimously):
That Executive
i) Notes the 2025/26 Treasury Management activity up to the first quarter date ending 30 June 2025.
ii) Notes the Prudential Indicators outlined in Annex A of the report (updated where applicable) and notes the compliance with all indicators.
Reason: To ensure the continued effective operation and performance of the Council’s Treasury Management function and ensure that all Council treasury activity is prudent, affordable and sustainable and complies with policies set.
137. Urgent Business
There were no urgent items of business to consider.
Councillor Douglas, Chair
(The meeting started at 4.30 pm and finished at 5.15 pm).