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.

None were declared.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting during consideration of any exempt information as detailed on the agenda for the Executive meeting to be held on 23 October 2007, under Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

RESOLVED:             That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following:

§         Annex 2 to Executive Agenda Item 11(Park & Ride Bus Contract – Minute 81 refers)

§         Annex 2 to Executive Agenda Item 12 (Monk Bar Garage – Future Use of Site – Minute 82 refers)

on the grounds that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

To approve and sign the minutes of the Shadow Executive meeting held on 3 October 2007.

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 16 October 2007, at 5.00 pm.

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

To consider the items on the agenda for the Executive meeting to be held on 23 October 2007, and to take a decision on whether to call-in any of these items.

Please note that the reports relating to these items will be published on the Council’s website on 12 October 2007. The website address is www.york.gov.uk  Copies of the Executive agenda and reports are also available for viewing at public libraries in York and can be obtained by telephoning Democracy Support Group on York (01904) 551088.

The Shadow Executive made the following comments on the Forward Plan at page 13 of the papers circulated for the Executive meeting to be held on 23 October 2007:

The Shadow Executive:

·        agreed to provisionally request officers for the following items on the Executive Forward Plan:

Executive on 6 November

§        CPA Use of Resources 2007

Executive on 20 November

§        Thin Client Management Arrangements

§        CPA Inspection – Self Assessment

§        Race Course Lease Review

§        Review & Strategy for the Commercial Property Portfolio

§         Report of the Future York Group

The Shadow Executive considered a report which was listed as item 6 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 23 October 2007, at page 17. The report set out the background to the development of the Council’s leisure facilities strategy, an update on schemes already approved, strategic issues and choices now facing the Council, and options for an updated leisure facilities strategy.

Having discussed the issues set out in the report and questioned officers present at the meeting, the following comments were agreed:

The Shadow Executive:

• raised concerns about continued swimming in the North East of the City
• highlighted that this report showed a strategy for swimming in York was lacking
• agreed that the report also demonstrated the current administration’s duplicity and was devoid in leadership on vision for leisure facilities and swimming
• reserved their detailed position

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 23 October 2007, at page 55.  The report sought Executive approval for a proposed Sustainable Street Lighting Strategy, which aimed to ensure that the effects of street lighting were minimised in terms of the use of natural resources for the supply of equipment and services, the use of energy to power the lights and the light pollution produced.

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

The Shadow Executive:

• noted the report
• reminded the Executive that residents have genuine concerns regarding personal safety, property and CCTV operation
• acknowledged opportunities with new technology for review and promotion of changes for lighting
• highlighted that wasted energy and light policies were bigger issues than just City of York Council and business partners
• noted that there were pilot schemes elsewhere in the country and any changes should not be made until the results were known.

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 23 October 2007, at page 103.  The report noted the allocation of Private Finance Initiative (PFI)  credits to support this project for joint procurement of residual waste treatment services, provided an update on progress and sought delegated authority for Officers to commit to an Inter-Authority agreement with North Yorkshire County Council.

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

The Shadow Executive:

• reiterated their concerns about the funding gap
• highlighted that it doesn’t take into account technological changes
• expressed concerns about timetabling in the event of a public inquiry.

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 9 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 23 October 2007, at page 111.  The report provided an update on progress in developing a universal approach to competition at the Council and asked the Executive to consider and comment on the scope and content of a draft Competition Policy, for approval by Full Council in due course.

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

The Shadow Executive:

·  noted the report and still awaited the full policy document.

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 10 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 23 October 2007, at page 123.  The report summarised the contents of the Quirk Review of community management and ownership of public assets, detailed the work this Council had already done in encouraging community management of assets, set out options for future progress and detailed the Community Asset Fund, with a proposal to make a bid to this fund.

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

The Shadow Executive:

·        welcomed the report and supported the 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 11 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 23 October 2007, at page 137.  The report presented the result of the evaluation of the tenders received for the provision of the Park & Ride bus service and asked the Executive to decide which fare and vehicle emission standard variants to progress and which enhanced specification items should be included at the start of the contract.

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

The Shadow Executive:

• noted that there had been difficulties with the last contract, regarding non branded buses, unsuitable bus stops, overcrowding and late running
• agreed that there were opportunities to explore the extension of hours especially where there was no dedicated bus service, and boxing day and new years day provision in the city that should be considered with business partners
• highlighted that integrated ticketing was broader than indicated at paragraph 25 and would ask for that to be extended
• agreed that proper safeguards should be in place for the additional income detailed in paragraph 48.

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 12 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 23 October 2007, at page 157.  The report sought approval for the sale of Monk Bar Garage for residential development.

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

The Shadow Executive:

• agreed that the garage should be allowed to continue for as long as it wished to and then the site be allowed for open space
• agreed that the proposal was excessive overdevelopment which should be avoided in a sensitive location.

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 13 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 23 October 2007, under Urgent Business.  The report outlined the key elements of the New Growth Points (NGP’s) and Eco-towns proposals set out in the recent Housing Green Paper, summarised the proposal by the Leeds City Region to submit a bid to government by the end of October and sought Members’ views on whether York should sign up to this bid.

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

The Shadow Executive:

·        supported and welcomed the government’s initiative to provide affordable housing for York to take some of the pressure, as there was a high demand for housing in the area.

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.