Executive meeting on Tuesday, 12 May 2026

Written representation in relation to agenda item 6, York Christmas Market Operating Hours and Economic Impact

Dear Executive Members and Statutory Officers,

This administration once again is going against the very specific advice of the police and their specialist units.  Reading between the lines of the report, the police are making it very clear if the Executive goes against this advice the responsibility of related incidents caused by allowing vehicles gained their advice, falls on the Council entirely.

My concern is that (as I said previously) any negative impacts of a terrorist attack whether on businesses, individuals or any security/police personnel could fall on the Council, via Corporate Manslaughter or other legal action.

Please can the statutory officers address at the meeting:

1. What CYC insurance coverage is costing to mitigate against this likelihood, if it is indeed available?

2. What legal risk assessment has been undertaken by the Monitoring Officer to address the legal risks, including, but not limited to, corporate manslaughter?

3. In view of the request to lodge a key Corporate Risk in the register, with a responsible named officer, can that person, as well as the two statutory officers state clearly what their advice on the market closure, and opening Goodramgate (of course it is always Goodramgate) to vehicles was?

4. What evidence was considered that convinced the administration, that the lives of people in Goodramgate and King’s Square were less valued than those outside McDonalds and Betty’s?

Thank you,

Gwen Swinburn