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 17 June 2008, 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 not be excluded from the meeting as there was no exempt information detailed on the agenda for the Executive meeting to be held on 17 June 2008, under Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Shadow Executive meeting held on 28 May 2008.

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 10 June 2008, at 5.00 pm.

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

Mr Andy Chase addressed the committee on Agenda Item 6 (20 mph city wide speed limits – Minute 17 refers). He stated that there could be potential positive effects on roads such as Nunnery Lane where traffic calming could not be used as it was an emergency vehicle route. Mr Chase also stated that in relation to the arguments raised that 20 mph speed limits would increase congestion, it should not have an adverse effect on congestion as stopping distances would be halved. He welcomed and supported the Shadow Executive on a 20 mph scheme for the city.

To consider the items on the agenda for the Executive meeting to be held on 17 June 2008, 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 6 June 2008. 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 7 of the papers circulated for the Executive meeting to be held on 17 June 2008:

The Shadow Executive:

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

         Executive on 30 June

·        York Race Course – Report on Negotiations

·        CPA Corporate Assessment Response

The Shadow Executive considered a report which was listed as item 5 on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 17 June 2008, at page 11. The report presented the minutes of recent meetings of the Local Development Framework (LDF) Working Group and the Social Inclusion Working Group and asked Members to consider the advice given by the Working Groups in their capacity as advisory bodies to the Executive.

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

The Shadow Executive:

·                    noted the report.

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 17 June 2008, at page 25. The report asked Members to approve for consultation purposes the draft York City Centre Area Action Plan (AAP), subject to the recommendations of the Local Development Framework Working Group meeting on 3 June 2008.

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

The Shadow Executive:

·              recommended Option 1;

·              expressed the hope that the new Leader will engage in proper consultation, unlike that previously suffered by citizens of York from his predecessor.

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 17 June 2008, at page 49. The report asked members to endorse the final draft of the policy prospectus for the municipal year 2008/09, which represented an agreement between three of the Council’s political groups on the topics to be pursued as areas of priority over the next 12 months.

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

The Shadow Executive:

·                    noted the document and will make such comments as appropriate when the reports are published.

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 17 June 2008, at page 59. The report provided an update on progress with the Council’s corporate accommodation project, including targets and achievements for the period April 2007 to April 2008, and sought approval for a revised business case for the project in support of the latest design for the new headquarters building at Hungate.

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

The Shadow Executive:

·              welcomed the eco-credentials of the building;

·              hoped that any changes to staffing, employment and terms of conditions would be considered with care and would expect further reports to be provided before any significant decisions were made;

·              raised concerns about the rising costs of the project, given a second major increase of £3.5m due to design, and that it was only becoming affordable by changing the accountability rules and being paid back over 60 years;

·              asked the Executive to consider the matter and note their concerns.

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.

This report has been prepared at the request of the Shadow Executive to respond to a number of specific queries raised regarding the potential for the implementation of a city wide 20 mph speed limit along the lines of the Portsmouth city council scheme.

(Please note: the Annex needs to be in colour and therefore is only available on the Council’s website or on request).

Members considered a report which had been prepared at the request of the Shadow Executive to respond to a number of specific queries raised regarding the potential for the implementation of a city wide 20 mph speed limit along the lines of the Portsmouth city council scheme.

Representatives from residents' associations, police and Visit York were invited to discuss whether the speed limit should be reduced on certain streets throughout the city.An email from the Association of British Drivers, raising concerns about introducing 20 mph speed limits in York, was read out at the meeting.

Members discussed a wide range of issues, including the implementation of the Portsmouth scheme, potential streets or zones in York that could be changed to 20 mph speed limits, and possible effects on tourism, the local economy, and cycling.

Members supported the basic principle of a 20mph initiative in the city, and were heartened that Visit York did not think it would damage the local economy and that the general principle of 20 mph speed limits was supported. Members recommended that 20 mph pilot schemes should be introduced, with resident consultation, to run alongside the Portsmouth scheme and would now look at what steps could be taken to progress matters.

RESOLVED:             That the contents of the report be noted.

REASON:                  To inform the Shadow Executive.