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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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Meeting |
Decision Session - Combined Executive Member Decision Session |
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Date |
2 September 2025 |
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Present |
Councillors Pavlovic, Webb and Lomas |
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Officers in Attendance |
Pauline Stuchfield - Director of Housing and Communities David Walker - Head of Customer Finance Risk & Insurance Paul Morrison - Community Safety Manager |
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25. Appointing a Chair (10:02)
The Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion opened the meeting and would chair items 1 to 5. The Executive Member for Housing Planning & Safer Communities would then chair items 6 to 8.
26. Apologies for Absence (10:03)
There were no apologies.
27. Declarations of Interest (10:04)
The Executive Members were invited to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests, or any disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have in respect of business on the agenda. None were declared.
28. Public Participation (10:04)
It was noted that there had been two registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
Flick Williams raised concerns regarding the UK welfare system becoming harder to navigate she also enquires regarding individuals being moved over to Universal Credit from other forms of welfare and whether this will increase Council tax bills on these individuals.
The Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion asked that Flick Williams share her specific concerns relating to Council Tax and Universal Credit with the Executive Member to allow officers to investigate any impact of these changes.
Denise Craghill spoke on behalf of the Green Party. She noted that the party supported the Public Space Protection Orders but had concerns regarding the new additional powers that were to be included within the orders. She raised particular concerns regarding how these powers would affect the homeless and could be used to drive homeless people out of the city.
29. Financial Inclusion/Welfare Benefits Outturn 2024/25 and progress 2025/26 (10:11)
Officers introduced the report highlighting the work the Council has undertaken and the impact this has had working alongside the community voluntary sector. Officers noted that they were seeking the Executive Members to note the support provided to residents to date and agree to delegate any decision-making relating to the Government’s expected Crisis and Resilience Fund. Officers also noted that in the future they hoped-for longer-term funding from Government to give more certainty and the opportunity for greater planning around support.
The Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion and the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education thanked officers and partners for the important services that they provided to support people. The Executive Member noted that the widening levels of inequality in our society was a national scandal which meant the kinds of support the Council provided was important. The Executive Member made particular note of the school holiday support which provided activities to young people and children, as well as, providing balanced meals outside of school term time. The Executive Member welcomed the strong partnership work the Council was engaged with and hoped to see even greater outcomes with partners as the Council moved towards a Local Neighborhood Support Model.
Resolved:
i. Noted and comment on the details of the report regarding providing support to residents affected by the impacts of the continuing high cost of living;
ii. Delegated any decision-making relating to the Government’s expected Crisis and Resilience Fund (details awaited) requirements to the Director of Finance (s151) in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion.
Reason: To ensure councillors, residents and stakeholder groups are aware of the ongoing financial inclusion activity across the city. To ensure the council reacts quickly to any new government.
Councillors Lomas and Webb left the meeting.
Councillor Pavlovic took over the chair at this point in the meeting.
30. Public Space Protection Order City Centre Consultation (10:34)
Officers introduced the report outlining the proposal to go for public consultation on the Public Space Protection Order for the City Centre. It was confirmed that this area had had persistent issues with drinking and begging and North Yorkshire Police believed having a broader public safety protection order like other areas of the country would assist in addressing issues.
The Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities noted the comments from public speakers and concerns raised in the media, the Executive Member confirmed that these changes to the Public Space Protection Order would not aim to evict people from York. Officers also clarified in relation to homelessness and rough sleepers the Council had a specific Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy that aimed to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
The Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities noted that the city centre had issues relating to drinking and aggressive behaviour with an increase in anti-social behaviour in recent months. He welcomed everyone to engage in the consultation.
Resolved:
i. Approved the decision to consult with the public and partners on the extension of the PSPO which would ensure that the Council would have greater powers to deal with anti-social behaviour within the city walls including the following possible options the council could consider:
· A ban on drinking alcohol in public within the area;
· The ability to remove large groups of 3 or more people who are causing anti-social behaviour for both sites;
· Begging, no person shall make any verbal, non-verbal or written request for money, donations or goods, including the placing of hats, clothing or containers so as to cause or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance.
· No return within 24 hours if asked to leave. No person shall, after being requested to leave by an authorised officer due to them behaving in a manner causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to any person within the city Centre without reasonable excuse, remain or return to the city Centre within a period of 24 hours.
· Loitering, no person shall loiter, sit or lay on the floor or on temporary structures in or adjacent to doorways or around pay machines (including banks, supermarkets) in a manner causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to any person within the city Centre.
Reason: To consult on providing the Council with greater powers to deal with anti-social behaviour within the city walls.
31. Public Space Protection Order Union Terrace and Clarence Gardens Consultation (10:50)
Officers introduced the report, outlining that the This item was similar to the Public Space Protection Order for the City Centre and that they were seeking to go to consultation on a Public Space Protection Order for Union Terrace and Clarence Gardens. Officers noted that the area had had issues with anti-social behaviour and drinking. The Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities thanked officers for the report and once again encouraged everyone to engage in the consultation.
Resolved:
i. Approved the decision to consult with the public and partners on the extension of the PSPO which would ensure that the Council would have greater powers to deal with anti-social behaviour in these areas, including the following possible options the council could consider:
· A ban on drinking alcohol in public within the area;
· The ability to remove large groups of 3 or more people who are causing anti-social behaviour for the sites.
Reason: To consult on providing the Council with greater powers to deal with anti-social behaviour within the Union Terrace, Clarence Street Gardens and the Groves area.
Councillors Lomas and Pavlovic, Chairs
[The meeting started at 10.02 am and finished at 10.54 am].