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 persona\l or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor King declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in Executive Item 9 (Locality Home Care Contracts), as two of his daughters were carers.

Councillor Gunnell declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in Executive Item 9 (Locality Home Care Contracts) as two of her sisters were carers.

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 Tuesday 8 September 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 8 September 2009, under Section 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by 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 1 July 2009.

RESOLVED:                         That the minutes of the last meeting of the Shadow Executive held on 1 July 2009 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 1 September 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 8 September 2009.

[Please note that the reports relating to these items will be published on the Council’s website on Friday 28 August 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 considered the following item of business on the agenda of the Executive meeting on 8 September 2009:

• Car Parking in York (Agenda item 7) (It was agreed that any questions in relation to this report would be emailed to the report author direct.)

To receive an update report on the Council’s waste strategy, including a summary of progress towards a waste PFI solution, current performance, implications for transportation of waste, financial issues and identification of risks.  (Report to follow)

Members received a briefing report, which responded to their query on progress towards a waste Private Finance Initiative (PFI) solution, transport and performance details together with any risks involved.

The briefing report summarised progress made towards procuring a long term waste management treatment contract for the City and for North Yorkshire County Council. It was confirmed that the procurement process was still ongoing and that technical solutions had not yet been decided upon and therefore the financial consequences established.

Officers confirmed that the procurement process had not yet concluded and that it had therefore been somewhat difficult to obtain all the information requested by Shadow Executive members. It was reported that the dialogue stage and invitation for final tenders would close on 22 September 2009 and that this was then dependent on Treasury agreement.

Members then questioned the following points:

• Risk of current strategy and how these could be managed;
• Financial implications and project costs;
• Affect of possible reduced levels of recycling;
• Flexibility in relation to commercial waste and predictions on levels of waste generated;
• Expansion of the range of products recycled;
• Planning permission and North Yorkshire County Council’s commitment;
• Details of existing household waste sites.

The Chair thanks officers for their very informative and frank discussions and report in relation to the progress of this project.

RESOLVED:             That the briefing report be noted.

REASON:                  To inform and update the Shadow Executive and help shape the effectiveness of future action.