Agenda and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Shadow Executive meeting held on 4 April 2007.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting of the Shadow Executive held on 4 April 2007 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Shadow Executive’s remit can do so. The deadline for registering is Tuesday 17 April 2007, at 5.00 pm.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

The Shadow Executive made the following comments on the Forward Plan at page 5 of the papers circulated for the Executive meeting to be held on 24 April 2007:

The Shadow Executive:

·  Agreed to comment upon this after the elections.

The Shadow Executive considered a report which was listed as item 5 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 24 April 2007, at page 7.  The report presented the final report of the Education Scrutiny Committee regarding home to school transport contracts for primary schools in York.

Having discussed the issues set out in the report, the following comments were agreed:

The Shadow Executive:

·  Wished to be assured that when contracts came up for renewal, any decision to fit lap seatbelts in the vehicles would continue to be adhered to;

·  Recommended that the negotiations proposed in the scrutiny report with the transport provider for St Mary’s School be accelerated; and

·  Were concerned that the issue of seatbelts in transport to secondary schools would still need to be addressed; and

·  Expressed concerns that the comments of the Young People’s Champion did not appear to have been acknowledged or taken into account in the final scrutiny recommendations.

RESOLVED:(i) That the Executive be asked to take the above comments into account when considering this item.

(ii)                        That the item not be called in.

The Shadow Executive considered a report which was listed as item 6 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 24 April 2007, at page 43.  The report sought approval to move forward with a Compulsory Purchase Order in order to proceed with the comprehensive regeneration and development of the Hungate area.

Having discussed the issues set out in the report, the following comments were agreed:

The Shadow Executive:

·  Supported the recommendations in the report, subject to negotiations with the developers and landowners continuing in the meantime with a view to resolving the situation without the need for a Compulsory Purchase Order.

RESOLVED:(i) That the Executive be asked to take the above comments into account when considering this item.

(ii)                        That the item not be called in.

The Shadow Executive considered a report which was listed as item 7 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 24 April 2007, at page 58.  The report presented the findings of the Lord Mayor’s World Heritage Working Group and asked the Executive to consider the options for action.

Having discussed the issues set out in the report and questioned members of the Working Group present at the meeting, the following comments were agreed:

The Shadow Executive:

·  Supported Option C, as recommended in the report, subject to:

o       wider consultation taking place with business and residential communities in order to improve public awareness and support for the campaign; and

o       a clearer explanation of the implications for development in the proposed area was required, together with a greater understanding of whether the full city walls area was the most appropriate city boundary for this purpose. 

RESOLVED:(i) That the Executive be asked to take the above comments into account when considering this item.

(ii)                        That the item not be called in.

The Shadow Executive considered a report which was listed as item 8 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 24 April 2007, at page 91.  The report requested confirmation of the approval to sell the Dane Avenue, Morritt Close and Chapelfields Road sites for affordable housing subject to the terms and conditions agreed at the Executive meeting on 13^th March.

Having discussed the issues set out in the report, the following comments were agreed:

The Shadow Executive:

·  Expressed concern that their previous comments in relation to Morritt Close had been ignored by the Executive, given that continuing concerns were being raised by local residents;

·  Requested officers to ensure that Morritt Close residents were aware of how they could publicly express support for the petition they had raised to the Executive prior to or at its meeting.

RESOLVED:(i) That the Executive be asked to take the above comments into account when considering this item.

(ii)                        That the item not be called in.

To receive a briefing report on the neighbourhoods agenda in the light of the White Paper “Strong and Prosperous Communities” and possibilities for improving Ward Committees and devolved decision making.

The Shadow Executive received a briefing report on the neighbourhoods agenda in the light of the White Paper “Strong and Prosperous Communities” and proposed areas for review under the neighbourhood management review.  The Director of Neighbourhood Services outlined some of the proposed activities for review in his area, including arrangements for Ward Committees and relationships between neighbourhood management, the police and Safer York Partnership. 

A wide ranging discussion was held regarding the performance of Joint Action Groups (JAGS), public engagement with Ward Committees, as well as the need to examine good practice and to recognise the value in flexible approaches.  

RESOLVED:             That the briefing report be noted and the Director of Neighbourhood Services be thanked for his attendance.

To receive a briefing from the Director of Neighbourhood Services and a Police Chief Inspector on neighbourhood policing.

The Shadow Executive received a briefing from the Director of Neighbourhood Services, Nick Warnes (local authority liaison officer) and Jane Mowat (Director of Safer York Partnership) in relation to neighbourhood policing and in particular the following priorities:

• To increase engagement and access with communities and service
• To focus on community issues and bring offenders to justice

Members also received an update on crime performance in the area, noting a 27.4% reduction in York, with the exception of woundings and vehicle interference.  A separate sheet was circulated detailing statistics for woundings during 2006/7.

RESOLVED:             That the briefing be noted and Officers be thanked for their attendance.

To receive a presentation from the Head of the Youth Offending Service on the Youth Justice Plan.

The Shadow Executive received a presentation from the Head of the Youth Offending Service on the work of the Youth Justice Team, including work completed during an average year together with an overview of YOT funding arrangements.

RESOLVED:             That the presentation be noted and the Head of Youth Offending Service be thanked for attending.