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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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Meeting |
Executive |
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Date |
2 June 2026 |
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Present |
Councillors Douglas (Chair), Kilbane, Kent, Pavlovic, Ravilious, Steels-Walshaw and Webb (Vice-Chair) |
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In attendance |
Councillor Ayre, Opposition Group Leader |
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1. Apologies for Absence
An apology for absence was submitted by Councillor Lomas.
2. Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
3. Public Participation
It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
Councillor Dave Merrett referred to a petition calling on York Hospital Trust and the Council to jointly address the problem of congestion queuing back from the hospital car park onto Wigginton Road. It was reported that there were delays and disrupted journeys for people travelling to and from the hospital. It had a negative impact on noise and pollution and it was dangerous and hazardous for pedestrians. So far 1,830 had signed the petition. There had been suggestions about how to address the issues and these were to be forwarded to the Executive Member for Transport.
4. Minutes
Resolved: That the minutes of the Executive meeting held on
12 May 2026 be approved and then signed by the Chair as a
correct record.
5. Forward Plan
Members received and noted details of the items that were on the Forward Plan for the next two Executive meetings at the time of agenda publication.
6. Commissioning of additional drug and alcohol support services in York
The Director of Public Health submitted a report which summarised current progress to address substance use in York, to support residents who used drugs and alcohol, minimised individual harm, and collaborated with partners to reduce the harm to society caused by alcohol and drugs.
A copy of the Human Rights Equality Assessment (HREAT) was attached as an annex to the report.
Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health, presented the report.
The Executive Member reported that drug related deaths had doubled over the last 10 years. In 2023 there were 8,275 alcohol related deaths in the UK. Substance use was deeply connected to homelessness, mental health and poverty. Investment in prevention, treatment, and recovery meant investment in stability, dignity, and opportunity. Over the last four years, additional funding had helped York expand and strengthen pathways and build a more recovery focused system. The report was clear that the process was fragile, demand was rising and to keep people safe, there was a need for further investment. The Council’s ambition was to become an inclusive recovery city rooted in prevention, compassion, partnership, and an understanding that recovery was a community responsibility.
Resolved (unanimously):
That Executive
i) Delegates to the Director of Public Health, in conjunction with the Director of Finance and Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer, approval to agree and enter into a contract variation for the current contract held by Change Grow Live Services Ltd to the sum of £335,400 to provide additional drug and alcohol support services in York in 2026/7 and £345,400 in 2027/8.
ii) Delegates to the Director of Public Health, in conjunction with the Director of Finance and Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer, the discretion and power to:
a) potentially uplift the Contract Value by up to £300,000 for 2028/2029 in accordance with existing pricing review clause; and
b) agree and enter into any related Deed of Variation.
For clarity, this power is to be discretionary for the delegee and, in accordance with the contract, there is no guarantee of any uplift to the provider by virtue of this delegation. The decision regarding any future contractual uplift (if any) shall made by the delegee at a later stage considering budgets and in conjunction with support from CYC Legal Services and Procurement.
Reason: To ensure the continuity and expansion of key services to support drug and alcohol prevention, treatment and recovery in York, in line with national targets.
7. The Local SEND Reform Plan
The Assistant Director of Education and Skills submitted a report which outlined the requirement to submit a Local SEND Reform Plan to the Department for Education (DfE) by 18 June 2026.
The following annexes were attached to the report:
- Annex A: Draft Local SEND Reform Plan
- Annex B: Human Rights Equality Assessment (HREAT).
The following officers presented the report:
- Maxine Squire, Assistant Director of Education and Skills
- Victoria Coyle, Head of Integrated SEND.
The Executive Member highlighted that early intervention was key. That there was a need to make improvements to the current system and spread good practice. The report set out that three years of capital and revenue investment had been allocated by government to ensure the basis of a new system and to start embedding the changes. Investment in mainstream settings could include the development of sensory spaces to ensure a more inclusive environment. Additional support, which included the recruitment of the Experts at Hand would help ensure the development of adaptive teaching and other positive practices focussed on different types of support.
An amendment to the recommendation set out under paragraph 13 of the report was suggested and agreed as follows ‘… Approves the draft Local SEND Reform Plan and to delegate decisions about the use of government funding to the Corporate Director of Children and Education in consultation with the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education to support the delivery of the plan. This is to ensure that the use of funding in the financial year 2026-27 can be allocated efficiently and effectively to support the delivery of Year 1 of the plan. Use of this funding must be reported quarterly to the Department for Education.’
Resolved (unanimously):
That Executive
a) Approves the draft Local SEND Reform Plan and to delegate decisions about the use of government funding to the Corporate Director of Children and Education in consultation with the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education to support the delivery of the plan. This is to ensure that the use of funding in the financial year 2026-27 can be allocated efficiently and effectively to support the delivery of Year 1 of the plan. Use of this funding must be reported quarterly to the Department for Education.
b) Delegates to the Corporate Director, Children and Education (in consultation with the Executive Member, Children and Education and Monitoring Officer) the power to negotiate, approve and enter into any related agreement(s) with the Department of Education for such funding.
Reason: To ensure that the government deadlines for the delivery of the plan can be met.
8. EV Back Office Contract Replacement
The Director of City Development submitted a report which asked Executive to approve the procurement of a new back office and maintenance contract.
A copy of the Human Rights Equality Assessment (HREAT) was attached an annex to the report.
The following officers presented the report:
- Garry Taylor, Director of City Development
- Josh Singer, Head of Transport Projects.
The Executive Member highlighted that the report set out the arrangements for contract replacement to ensure the continuation of the public EV charging network. That the contract enabled the Council to achieve a good value tariff for residents and visitors and made EV a more affordable option. It also enabled the Council to incorporate key principles such as, equality, affordability, climate and health into its tender requirements. Procuring a longer contract of five plus three years ensured long-term stability.
Resolved (unanimously):
That Executive
a) Approves the procurement of a new contract for a period of 5+3 years, to provide back-office services, maintenance and servicing of CYC owned charging infrastructure and supply and installation of new EV charging equipment.
b) Delegates authority to the Director of City Development (in
consultation with the Executive Member for Transport and the Head of Procurement) to take such steps as are necessary to procure, award and enter into the resulting contract.
Reason: To enable continued operation of the public charging network.
9. 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).