OFFICER DECISION
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Decision: To enter a lease of bare land for communal seating at Acomb Working Men’s Club,12 Front Street, Acomb York as part of the Front Street Regeneration Project, funded by UKSPF. |
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Decision Date: 16th January 2025 |
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Type of Decision: Director Key |
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Non-Key |
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Portfolio Area that decision relates to: |
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Leader (inc Corporate Services, Policy, Strategy & Partnerships) |
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Environment and Climate Emergency |
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Economy & Culture
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Finance, Performance, Major Projects & Equalities |
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Children, Young People and Education |
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Transport |
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Health, Wellbeing and Adults Social Care |
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Housing, Planning & Safer Communities |
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Background/ Decision Summary
Details for Acomb Front Street Phase 2 were approved by the Executive Member for Economy and Culture at his decision session on 24th September 2024. These included the provision of more social seating in the main shopping area and along Front Street. The footway width along Front Street varies from 1.4 -2.0m, if the benches were in the footway, they would narrow the available space for wheelchairs and buggies and potentially cause conflict for all footway users. To maintain unrestrictive footpaths on the older section of Front Street we will locate two new accessible benches on the wide recessed concrete entrance of Acomb’s Working Men’s Club. These benches provide much needed rest point for pedestrians using the local amenities across the shopping area and older section of Front Street, whilst also facilitate better connection between the two sections. The benches are for use of the whole community, patrons of AWMC will use the benches but have no priority over the public. By agreement with Acomb Working Men’s Committee (AWMC) a lease of 10 years has been permitted with a break clause after 5 years from signing, which justifies the expenditure on installation through having a minimum 5 year commitment whilst giving AWMC flexibility in the future should they wish to do something with this space. After 5 years, if required the benches could be relocated to another location (subject to required permission), although the intention is to remain in situ for full lease duration with an extension feasible between the council and AWMC Committee after the 10 years if desired. The two accessible benches cost approximately £2,000 (to purchase and install) and are funded from UKSPF. The benches will remain the property of the council at all times, and there is no charge for the lease by AWMC.
UKSPF funding must all be spent by the end of the current financial year, when the current programme finishes and any unspent funds must be returned to Government.
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Options Considered:
Option 1: Approve lease of bare land for communal seating at Acomb Working Men’s Club
Option 2: Do not approve lease
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Options Rejected: Option 2: The Executive Member, Executive and the Partnership have supported the Acomb Front Street project, and the public engagement requested more seating and the councils accessible seating framework recommends seating every 50m across York city centre. The permanent location of these benches provides convenient rest/ dwell point for residents and helps to connect the two sections of Front Street. There is no direct cost to the council entering into this lease with 10 year duration, so there is no reason not to approve.
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Consultation Process: The desire for more social seating and better connection along Front Street have emerged from public consultation on Acomb Front Street, as detailed in the report to the Executive Member in September 2024 and Executive in July 2024. The Executive Member further supported the Phase 2 Delivery Plan in September 2024, and the York UKSPF Partnership Board confirmed support for greater accessibility and improved seating provision at their November 2024 meeting.
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Implications |
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Crime & Disorder |
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Equalities |
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Highways |
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Human Resources |
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Legal |
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ICT |
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Financial |
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Affordability |
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Property |
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Climate Change |
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Health |
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Other |
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Environment |
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Human Rights |
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Implications Contact: |
Katie Peeke-Vout Head of Regeneration |
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Level of Risk: Acceptable |
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Wards Affected: |
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All Wards |
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Fishergate |
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Holgate |
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Rural West York |
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Acomb |
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Fulford & Heslington |
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Hull Road |
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Strensall |
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Bishopthorpe |
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Guildhall |
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Huntington & New Earswick |
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Westfield |
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Clifton |
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Haxby & Wigginton |
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Micklegate |
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Wheldrake |
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Copmanthorpe |
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Heworth |
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Osbaldwick & Derwent |
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Dringhouses & Woodthorpe |
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Heworth Without |
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Rawcliffe & Clifton |
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Comments/Observations: UKSPF funding is available through the E1 intervention, with decisions on implementation delegated to the Director in consultation with the Executive Member. For Acomb Front Street, decisions on implementation of Phase 2 have been further delegated to the Director of City Development. The improved seating provision is integral to the AFS Delivery Plan. Decision: To approve the lease of bare land for communal seating at Acomb Working Men’s Club,12 Front Street, Acomb for 10 year duration. |
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Decision Made by: Claire Foale, Interim Director of City Development Contact Details: claire.foale@york.gov.uk |
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On behalf of: Chief Operating Officer |
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To be implemented by: |
Katie Peeke-Vout |
Head of Regeneration |
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On Completion – Signed off by: Claire Foale
Interim Director of City Development |
Date: 16/1/25 |
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