Decision Session - Combined Executive Member Decision Session
Set out below is a summary of the decisions taken at the meeting of the Combined Executive Member Decision Session held on Tuesday, 27 January 2026. The wording used does not necessarily reflect the actual wording that will appear in the minutes.
Members are reminded that, should they wish to call in a decision, notice must be given to Democratic Services no later than 4pm on the fifth working day after this meeting, Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
If you have any queries about any matters referred to in this decision sheet, please contact Democratic Services.
6. Communications and Engagement Strategy
Resolved: That the Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Policy, Strategy and Partnerships approved the Communications and Engagement Strategy to ensure:
i. City of York Council (CYC) could use its communications resources in the most effective way to support the organisation’s priorities and ambitions.
ii. The Council focused on relevant communication and engagement with all communities across the city in a fair and equitable way.
Reason: To support the delivery of the Council’s core commitments, corporate priorities and to ensure inclusivity, accessibility and to build confidence in the council’s delivery.
7. York Walls in Bloom
Resolved: That the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency:
· Approved the Ancient Monuments Team to work with partners to adapt the management of the Bar Walls.
· Approved the principles of site-based management plans reflecting the diverse ecology, heritage, and aesthetics of the City Walls, ensuring best-practice management is achieved.
Reasons: There are opportunities on the embankments to introduce locally native wildflowers which are suited to the soil conditions and current management arrangements. Although non-native species may produce visually appealing displays, they are of little benefit to the vast majority of our native invertebrates, which co-evolved with native plants; incorporation and enhancement of native plant diversity is paramount to dampening declines in plants and invertebrates.
This project will support the Council’s climate and net zero commitments, align with Historic England’s guidance on sustainable heritage management, and improve biodiversity at a nationally significant monument. It will also contribute to placemaking, enhance visitor experience and local amenity, while reducing the maintenance burden on the Council by fostering volunteering and community engagement.
8. Admissions Arrangements for the 2027/28 School Year
Resolved: That the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education:
Accepted and supported the proposed changes to the Admission Arrangements for September 2027-2028, as seen in the report and annexes, based on the evidence shown in the Options Analysis and Evidential Basis section of the report.
Reason: To ensure that City of York Council (CYC) continue to meet their statutory duty as set out in the terms of the Education Act 1996 and also work collaboratively with Academy Trusts to meet that duty whilst also appreciating the financial pressure on schools and trusts.
9. Annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025: Setting Analysis of the Childcare Market Across the City of York
Resolved: That the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education approved the report to be published on City of York Council’s (CYC) website, and for a copy to be sent to the Department for education (DfE).
Reason: In order to meet City of York Council’s (CYC) statutory duty.
10. Housing Tenancy Policy and Strategy
Resolved: That the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities approved:
i. The Tenancy Policy and Strategy document.
ii. Affordable Rent to be limited to below 80% of market rent through with the York Living Rent reflecting local lower quartile incomes and the Local Housing Allowance.
iii. The use of Fixed Term and Flexible Tenancies to be used only in a set of defined criteria that represent exceptional circumstances, to balance security of tenure for tenants alongside making best use of social housing stock. There would be a presumption that Flexible Tenancies would be renewed, otherwise tenants would be offered an alternative suitable property provided they were not in breach of their existing tenancy.
Reasons: To achieve legal and regulatory compliance in respect of matters covered by the Tenancy Policy and Strategy, and to achieve the benefits from the proposed document as set out in the report.
11. Antisocial Behaviour Policy
Resolved: That the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities approved the revised Anti-Social Behaviour Policy for Council Housing in York.
Reason: To meet statutory requirements and to ensure clearer language and terminology is used and is more comprehensive.
12. Damp and Mould Policy
Resolved: That the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities approved the Damp and Mould Policy.
Reason: To meet statutory requirements and ensure health and safety of City of York Council (CYC) tenants.
13. Neighbourhood Improvement Programme 2025/27
Resolved: That the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities:
i. Approved the approach for engaging members and communities in proposals for spending NIP (Housing Neighbourhood Improvement Programme) annual funding.
ii. Approved the NIP HRA (Housing Revenue Account) funded projects and expenditure as follows:
· £10k initial funding to the Groves Residents Association in relation to the Groves Community Plan, resulting proposals to inform future NIP funding proposals;
· £250k for Walmgate Proposals priorities;
· To delegate the procurement of a condition survey of all housing communal areas to Director of Housing & Communities (to maximum contribution of £32k)
· £30k contribution to an additional E-van for Communities team environment officers,
· £40k Fund for Communities team environment officers/Neighbourhood Caretakers for community involvement equipment and to undertake repairs arising from walkabouts.
· £40k contingency for off-programme ad hoc proposals delegated to Director of Housing & Communities in consultation the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities documented by published officer decision.
iii. Delegated authority to the Director of Housing and Communities, in consultation with Chief Finance Officer and the Director of Governance:
· To commence procurement from the market via an open, fair and transparent competitive process and evaluation criteria in compliance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules under Appendix 11 of the Council’s Constitution (the “Council’s CPRs”) and (where applicable) the Procurement Act 2023 or the Public Contract Regulations 2015:
o the condition survey of all housing communal areas;
o an additional E-van for Communities Team environment officers; and
o any community involvement equipment for Communities Team Environment Officers and Community Caretakers and any required repair works arising from walkabouts,
· and to determine the provisions of any contracts, and the provisions of any subsequent modifications and/or extensions thereto.
iv. Approved that the Council would enter into a grant funding agreement with the Groves Residents Association on the terms set out in the Report, and to delegate authority to the Director of Housing and Communities, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Director of Governance, to determine the provisions of the grant funding agreement, and the provisions of any subsequent modifications and/or extensions thereto, to ensure compliance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022, the Council’s Financial Regulations under Appendix 10a of the Council’s Constitution (the “Council’s Financial Regs”) and the Council’s CPRs.
v. Delegated authority to the Director of Housing & Communities, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Director of Governance, and subject to consultation with and approval by the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities, to commission and determine the provisions of any grant funding agreements and/or supply, services and/or works contracts relating to any off programme ad hoc proposals and the provisions of any subsequent modifications and/or extensions thereto, to ensure compliance with the relevant public procurement or subsidy control law (as applicable) and the Council’s CPRs and Financial Regs, to be documented by published officer decision.
Reasons:
i. To ensure transparency and clear decision making around the NIP budget priorities and use of HRA expenditure for the benefit of council tenants.
ii. To ensure all grant funding arrangements are in compliance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022, the Council’s Financial Regs and the Council’s CPRs.