Agenda and minutes

To receive and note apologies for absence.

Apologies were received and noted from Cllrs Rowley, Widdowson and Myers.  Cllr Steward substituted for Cllr Rowley and Cllr Wann substituted for Cllr Widdowson.

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 the attached sheet for further guidance for Members.]

Members were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on the agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests.

Cllr Coles noted for transparency, in relation to Item 6, Council Motions (Return to Community Policing Motion), that she had responsibility for Policing, Fire and Crime as the Deputy Mayor at the Combined Authority.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 10 March and 14 April 2025. [14 April to follow]

Resolved:  That the minutes of the last meetings held on 10 March 2025 and 14 April 2025 were approved as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines are set as 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at our meetings. The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Thursday 8 May 2025.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form. If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact Democratic Services. Contact details can be found at the foot of this agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Cllr Runciman, Ward Cllr for Huntington and New Earswick, spoke in relation to Item 7, the petitions schedule.  She raised concerns that a petition submitted in November 2024, relating to a request to install a pedestrian crossing at the Folk Hall in New Earswick (Petition 232) had no action against it.  She asked that the Committee to look into this.

Members will consider the draft version of the final ‘Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy’ for City of York Council which is brought to the Committee for pre-decision scrutiny.

The Assistant Director, Customer, Communities and Inclusion and the Head of Equity, Diversion and Inclusion presented the draft EDI strategy and outlined their aim for a clear approach ensuring continual engagement with all stakeholders.

Members asked a range of questions covering the language used in the strategy, the purpose of the strategy, how the protected characteristics were agreed, who would be involved in contributing to the strategy, the resources required to implement the strategy, the method of implementation, the consultation process, investigating negative responses, the role of the Communications team, recruitment and retention, access to services, monitoring and training and funding distribution. 

In response, Officers agreed to review the wording relating to the identified protected characteristics, explaining they had been identified by looking at examples of best practice and by taking into account all relevant equalities legislation.  They clarified the intention of the strategy, explaining the aim was to ensure that EDI was built into the Council’s core identity, both in the services provided and as an employer; the strategy was intended to also meaningfully evidence the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty.  Officers confirmed that resources were limited within the team and there was an expectation for heads of service to nominate champions who would receive training to be able to work through the delivery implications. They planned to consult with groups such as York Disability Rights Forum and the York Older People’s Forum to further investigate negative experiences. Recruitment was based on merit and roles were advertised widely to ensure broad coverage.  Ways to reach more seldom heard groups continued to be explored. They were looking to use the neighbourhood model to provide access to services close to home and to ensure funding was allocated to the right groups.  There were plans for the Head of EDI to attend team meetings to share experiences.  HR were monitoring training, and the aim was to ensure that EDI is embedded in all training. Officers acknowledged the request for more detailed data to be provided within the report.

The Executive Member thanked Members for their feedback and confirmed that officers would take the time necessary to further develop the strategy ahead of a reporting to Executive.

Resolved:             That further work on the Equity, Diversity and, Inclusion and Strategy be undertaken to take into account Member comments prior to being presented to Executive.

Reason:                To demonstrate City of Yor Council’s core commitment to becoming a more equal, diverse and inclusive council.

This report provides information on approved Council motions since this last update was received in March 2025.

Members considered the most recent Motions tracker and noted updates.

Resolved:             That the report be noted and the Chair and Vice-Chair to determine which Motions can be closed and removed from the tracker.

Reason:                To ensure that processes for monitoring approved Council Motions remain sufficiently robust.

Members will consider the updated schedule of petitions which was last received by the Committee in November 2024.

Members considered the current Petitions Schedule which was last received by the Committee in November 2024.  Members noted actions and requested further information from officers, with particular reference to the petition raised by Cllr Runciman in public participation.

Resolved:            

i.                That the report be noted and that

ii.               Further information be requested from officers in relation to petition 232 and an updated report be distributed to Members.

Reason:                To ensure the Committee carries out its constitutional role in relation to petitions.

Members are asked to consider the proposal for a Task and Finish Group Review.

Members considered the Task and Finish Group proposal to prepare for changes to sickness and disability benefits.  During the discussion, Cllr Coles expressed an interest to be a member of the group.  It was also noted that officers may have already started on a policy paper related to this item.

Resolved:            

i.                That the Terms of Reference be agreed.

ii.               Membership of the group should consist of 2 x Labour, 2 x Liberal Democrats and 1 x Conservative or Independent.

iii.             Expressions of interest in participating should be sent to the Chair and Democratic Services.

Reason:                To enable the Task and Finish Group to proceed with work on the review in line with scrutiny procedures.

To consider the Committee’s work plan and the Scrutiny Overview work plan.

Members considered the draft work plan for the committee and the overview scrutiny work plan for all the scrutiny committees.

During the discussion, officers confirmed that the revised terms of reference for the Corporate, People and Place scrutiny committees, as well as the public meeting dates, would be brought to Annual Council; a working group consisting of the existing Chairs and Vice-Chairs were developing the new arrangements for scrutiny.

Resolved:             That the work plan be noted.

Reason:                To ensure an overview of the scrutiny work programme.