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.

Councillor Potter declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in Executive Item 9 (Review of Public Bus Services in York) as a member of the management committee of York Wheels.

To consider excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of any exempt information relating to briefings on Executive business, as detailed on the agenda for the Executive meeting to be held on 20 January 2009, 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 relating to briefings on Executive business, as detailed on the agenda for the Executive meeting to be held on 20 January 2009, 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 26 November 2008.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the last meeting of the Shadow Executive held on 26 November 2008 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 13 January 2009, 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.

To receive any briefings requested on Executive business for 20 January 2009.

[Please note that the reports relating to these items will be published on the Council’s website on Friday 9 January 2009. The website address is www.york.gov.uk  Copies of the Executive agenda and reports can also be obtained by telephoning Democracy Support Group on York (01904) 551088.]

The Shadow Executive received briefings on the following items of business on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 20 January 2009:

·  Affordable Housing Initiatives (agenda item 8)

·  Review of Public Bus Services in York (agenda item 9)

In relation to the former item, Members requested legal advice on the possible use of compulsory purchase powers to acquire land for affordable housing development.¹

With regards to the latter item, officers agreed to provide an email response to Members on how much fare paying bus patronage had dropped.²

This briefing report responds to the Shadow Executive’s query as to whether or not there are any options open to the Council under present legislation for abolishing or altering the Council Tax reduction currently available for second homes and empty properties.

Members received a briefing report which responded to their query as to whether or not there were any options open to the Council under present legislation for abolishing or altering the Council Tax reduction currently available for second homes and empty properties.

The briefing report explained that a minimum discount of 10% was set by legislation with regards to second homes, which was currently applied by the Council, and that no minimum discount was prescribed by legislation in relation to empty properties, with the Council currently levying the full rate of Council Tax in these cases.

Members thanked officers for preparing the briefing report and attending the meeting.

RESOLVED:             That the briefing report be noted.

REASON:                  To inform and update the Shadow Executive.

The Shadow Executive recorded their thanks to Simon Copley, Democracy Officer, who was leaving City of York Council, for his work over the past seven years and their good wishes for the future.