Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive and note apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

At this point in the meeting, Members and co-opted members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

[Please see attached sheet for further guidance for Members].

The Executive Member was 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. There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Finance, Performance, Major Projects and Equalities Executive Member Decision Sessions held on 12 December 2024.

Resolved:   That the minutes of the Decision Session of the Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, and Equalities held on 12 December 2024 be approved and signed by the Executive Member as a correct record.

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It was reported that there had been two registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme. Both were speaking on Agenda item 5 - 14 New Lane: Proposal to incorporate the land back into West Bank Park, Acomb.

Cllr Kallum Taylor (Holgate Ward Cllr) noted that he was very pleased to see the item on the agenda and was pleased to support the land back into West Bank Park and see the space available in that area of the park. He noted that the Bowls Association had a number of requests regarding funding, some of which Ward funding would not be able to cover. He noted that he had received representation from a resident regarding the inclusion of a nod to the Backhouse family history of the park.

Chris Webb, a Holgate resident for 38 years and Chair of Yorkshire Gardens Trust, supported the proposal to incorporate the land back into West Bank Park. He noted that it was a rare opportunity to extend the park. He noted that heritage was Yorkshire Gardens Trust’s sole concern.  He noted that a Trust colleague’s PHD had given important information on the history of the Backhouse nursery. He added that planting would contribute to net zero ambitions as well as ecology and learning and the Trust was happy to help with the park.

This report seeks approval to not to rebuild 14 New Lane as park keeper accommodation, to remove the security fence surrounding 14 New Lane and make accessible to the rest of West Bank Park and to allocate the remaining insurance funds from the 14 New Lane insurance payment to future projects within West Bank Park.

Resolved:

1.           That approval be given not to rebuild 14 New Lane as park keeper accommodation.

Reason:     Changes in employment and management practices for parks no longer required Council employees to live on the premises.

2.           That approval be given to the removal the security fence surrounding 14 New Lane and make accessible to the rest of West Bank Park.

Reason:     To reconnect 14 New Lane with the wider Park, in so doing increasing the amount of green space available to the residents of Holgate and surrounding areas.

3.           That approval be given to allocate the remaining funds from the 14 New Lane insurance payment to future projects within West Bank Park.

Reason:     To fund investment into the park without calling on Council resources.

The Executive Member considered a report that sought approval to not to rebuild 14 New Lane as park keeper accommodation, to remove the security fence surrounding 14 New Lane and make accessible to the rest of West Bank Park and to allocate the remaining insurance funds from the 14 New Lane insurance payment to future projects within West Bank Park.

The Operations Manager (Strategy and Contracts) explained the background to the proposal noting that West Bank Park was the family home of the Backhouse family and their nursery. He noted that 14 New Lane was a part of the park and was no longer needed. He detailed the three proposals noted that the council would be happy to include the bowls club and input from the Yorkshire Gardens Trust.

The Executive Member noted that she was very happy about the PHD information and that it great to hear that so many people were interested in the park and the opportunity that putting that part of the park back into use as it was served by a number of Wards. She then:

Resolved:

1.           That approval be given not to rebuild 14 New Lane as park keeper accommodation.

Reason:     Changes in employment and management practices for parks no longer required Council employees to live on the premises.

2.           That approval be given to the removal the security fence surrounding 14 New Lane and make accessible to the rest of West Bank Park.

Reason:     To reconnect 14 New Lane with the wider Park, in so doing increasing the amount of green space available to the residents of Holgate and surrounding areas.

3.           That approval be given to allocate the remaining funds from the 14 New Lane insurance payment to future projects within West Bank Park.

Reason:     To fund investment into the park without calling on Council resources.