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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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Meeting |
People Scrutiny Committee |
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Date |
24 June 2026 |
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Present |
Councillors Waller (Vice-Chair, in the Chair), Cuthbertson, Moroney, Myers (Vice-Chair for the meeting), Runciman, Knight (Substitute for Councillor Mason), Rose (Substitute for Councillor Burton), and Taylor (Substitute for Councillor Nelson) |
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Apologies
Officers in Attendance
In Attendance |
Councillors Burton (Chair), Mason, Nelson, and Steward
Andrew Bebbington – Housing Strategy Manager Denis Southall – Head of Housing Karoline Silcock - Head of Disabled Children’s Service Maxine Squire - Assistant Director Education and Skills Michael Melvin - Director of Adults Safeguarding
Councillor Webb, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education |
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30. Apologies for Absence (5:35pm)
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Burton (Chair) who was substituted by Councillor Rose, Mason who was substituted by Councillor Knight, Nelson who was substituted by Councillor Taylor, and Steward.
In Councillor Burton’s absence, Councillor Waller would Chair the meeting.
Resolved: That Councillor Myers be elected Vice-Chair of the meeting.
31. Declarations of Interest (5:35pm)
Members were asked to declare at this point in the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on the agenda if they had not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. None were declared.
32. Public Participation (5:35pm)
It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
33. Minutes (5:35pm)
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2026 be approved and signed as a correct record.
34. Housing Allocations Policy Review (5:36pm)
The Head of Housing presented the report and presentation contained within the agenda supplement, and issued a change to the recommendations set out, in that the People Scrutiny Committee would “support the proposed policy changes as set out…” and “…support the delegation of authority to the Assistant Direct of Housing…”.
The report proposed updates to City of York Council’s (CYC) Housing Allocations Policy to ensure legal compliance, enhance transparency and consistency, and support effective use of social housing stock; the Head of Housing outlined the allocations policy objectives and highlighted the requirements to be open, fair, and transparent in order to fit trading standards.
Choice based letting system for Banding, outlined bands.
He then Move on Panel and panels can help support, multi-agency support.
The Head of Housing then highlighted the role of the proposed multi-agency panel approach for complex cases alongside streamlined pathways for resolving mental health related housing needs.
It was noted that although neighbour disputes would not be resolved through the allocation policy, actions would be taken in exceptional circumstances.
In response to questions from members, the Head of Housing, and Housing Strategy Manager confirmed that:
· A live data stream on the CYC’s website showing current use of existing housing stock could be investigated.
· Although succession rights are written in law, provisions had been included within the new policy for discretionary successions; housing teams took a priority of homelessness prevention when working through cases.
· New ways of working with technology was always being investigated and where services could be improved efficiently through this, it would be considered.
· The plan to restrict multiple adult households to flats/maisonettes would only be for adults with no children.
· Although council owned property is used, CYC could also consider other housing available within the city.
· Updates had been made to improve the matching process to support people in getting a suitable home.
· A person-centred approach is taken to support people in adapting homes for accessibility purposes and for complex needs.
· It was anticipated that the amount of Right to Buy purchases seen for CYC’s housing stock would fall due to changes in legislation.
· The housing register was a live document and was always seeing more people in need of support, it was unknown what effect upcoming legislation would have on this.
· The auto bid tool could sometimes be useful but at other times not; the auto bid tool was often used by people who needed the support of any available housing in the area which matched their criteria.
The Chair urged absent members to send any further questions to the report authors for information or clarity purposes.
Resolved: That the People Scrutiny Committee supported:
i. The proposed policy changes as set out,
ii. The delegation of authority to the Assistant Direct of Housing to then approve:
a. Amendments to the Allocations Policy appendices;
b. Amendments to the Allocations Policy substantive text to achieve legal/regulatory compliance with national government requirements where these are introduced or amended;
c. Amendments to the Allocations Policy substantive text to implement minor drafting updates and clarifications.
Reason: To achieve legal compliance and build on existing service successes to respond to evidenced applicant needs and make the best use of social housing stock.
35. Preparation for Adulthood Strategy (6:31pm)
The Assistant Director, Education and Skills, Director of Adults Safeguarding, and Head of Disabled Children’s Service presented the report and noted that the strategy had been co-produced based on voice and experience through York’s SEND CENTRAL via the York SEND Local Offer - a hub where people could meet with individuals to gain support and advice. The purpose of the strategy was to support children and young people with SEND to ensure they can have the same goals, opportunities, and life choices than their non-disabled peers.
In response to questions from the Committee, the Assistant Director, Education and Skills, Director of Adults Safeguarding, and Head of Disabled Children’s Service confirmed that:
· The vision of the strategy would be embedded through online staff training and briefings; discussions would be held from a very early age on how plans would affect opportunities and learning.
· There was a need to carefully stage the career plan to ensure consistency and understanding of expectations. This year was primarily about getting people on same page to progress.
· There was a need for a cultural shift in focus in Children’s Services as preparation for adulthood could often be missed, this shift would require ongoing training.
· Work had been undertaken on how to implement these changes calmly and efficiently. Preparation into adulthood was mandatory and not additional work but it could speak to how improvements can be made.
· The strategy was for all children with SEND and not just those with complex needs. Young People would be tracked and not left behind for needs to develop further without support.
· It was important to listen to young people and support their wishes where possible. Where independence disagreements arose, these were usually because City of York Council (CYC) had not had these important discussions with them soon enough and therefore it is essential to ensure earlier, more consistent discussions through this strategy are taken to break out of these issues.
· CYC’s work on SEND Central was being championed across CYC’s work with SEND Excellence Ltd and with the Department of Education, and Officers were spreading awareness outside CYC where possible.
The Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education reported that CYC could expect lots of changes coming from Government and CYC needed to consider how to deal with these changes efficiently.
Resolved: That the People Scrutiny Committee supported the Preparation for Adulthood Strategy 2026–2031.
Reason: To establish a shared citywide framework for preparation for adulthood and improve outcomes for young people with SEND.
36. Work Plan (7:33pm)
Members discussed the Committee’s work plan for the upcoming municipal year and the Chair noted that the next informal Scrutiny Member Briefing Session would be held on 30 June and would include a briefing on Integrated Care Board (ICB) changes, and there was a meeting scheduled for the Housing Repairs Task and Finish Group on 25 June. The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee were due to have a series of discussions with Executive Members and Directors in early July around the Committee’s work programme.
Councillor Rose reported that the Constitution Working Group had recently discussed the possibility of closer engagement with the Committee and York Youth Council.
Members discussed the proposed timescales as seen with Annex B of the Work Plan, the remit of the Adult Social Care Financial Challenges Joint Task and Finish Group, and feedback would be taken back to the Task and Finish Group members and Scrutiny Officer.
Resolved: That the People Scrutiny Committee:
i. Noted the agreed remit of the Adult Social Care Finance Joint Task and Finish Group, approved by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.
ii. Considered and agreed the Committee’s draft work plan.
Reasons: To ensure that the Committee maintains an appropriate programme of work.
Cllr Waller, Vice-Chair, in the Chair
[The meeting started at 5.30 pm and finished at 7.39 pm].