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 consider the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following:

Exempt minute 16 under Agenda Item 3(Minutes) on the grounds that it contains information relating to an individual.  This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised 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:

Exempt minute 16 under Agenda Item 3 (Minutes) (minute 23 refers) on the grounds that it contains information relating to an individual.  This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 1 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 meeting of the Urgency Committee held on 19 December 2006.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting of the Urgency Committee held on 19 December 2006 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 Committee’s remit can do so.  The deadline for registering is Tuesday 27 February 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.

This report seeks consideration of a recommendation from the Executive that City of York Council enter into an Agreement to establish a Joint Committee to be known as the Leeds City Region Leaders’ Board and appointment of the Leader to represent the Council on the Board and the Deputy Leader as the substitute member.

Members received a report which sought consideration of a recommendation from the Executive that City of York Council enter into an Agreement to establish a Joint Committee to be known as the Leeds City Region Leaders’ Board, and appointment of the Leader to represent the Council on the Board and the Deputy Leader as the substitute member.

The matter was being considered by the Urgency Committee as the first meeting of the Board was scheduled for 1 April 2007, ahead of the next Full Council meeting on 12 April 2007.

The report presented the following options for consideration:

·                    Option a) – To approve the recommendation to participate in the Board and appoint a representative;

·  Option b) – To defer the decision until the next Full Council meeting;

·  Option c) – To not approve the recommendation to participate in the Board and not appoint a representative.

Members discussed issues regarding accountability arrangements for the Board.  Councillor Merrett sought assurances that meetings would be held in public, subject to the usual local government rules relating to confidential information, that the agenda and minutes would be made publicly available, and that the minutes would be made available to Full Council.  It was agreed that this would be pursued, subject to the willingness of other participants in the Board.  [Amendment agreed on 20/3/07]  

RESOLVED:             That the recommendation to participate in the Board be approved and the Leader be appointed as the Council’s representative, with the Deputy Leader as the substitute.

REASON:                  To enable the Council to play an active part in the development of the City Region agenda and to attend and participate in the first meeting of the Board on 1 April 2007.

This report seeks agreement to the City of York Council becoming a member of Science City York Limited and appointment of a Council representative to the company.

Members received a report which sought agreement to the City of York Council becoming a member of Science City York Limited and appointment of a Council representative to the company.

The matter was being considered by the Urgency Committee as the company needed to be in a position to appoint a chief executive after interviews on 6 March 2007, before the next Full Council meeting on 12 April 2007.

The Director of City Strategy recommended the Chief Executive be appointed as the Council’s representative to the company.

Councillor Merrett expressed the view that there should be representatives from both the main parties on the company and that, until this was possible, the Economic Development Partnership Board should receive reports from the company to ensure accountability to the Council, and also highlighted the need for public accountability.  It was agreed that regular report backs should be received from Science City York Ltd.  [Amendment agreed on 20/3/07]  

RESOLVED:(i) That City of York Council membership of Science City York Limited, a Company Limited by Guarantee, be approved;

                        (ii)That the Chief Executive be appointed as the Council’s representative on the company.

REASON:                  To enable the company to be established in order to employ the chief executive.

This report advises on recent developments designed to enhance joint working on strategic housing issues across the sub-region and seeks approval of City of York Council participation in the proposed sub-regional partnership and governance framework and for the Executive Member for Housing to represent the Council on the partnership.

Members received a report which advised on recent developments designed to enhance joint working on strategic housing issues across the sub-region and sought approval of City of York Council participation in the proposed sub-regional partnership and governance framework and for the Executive Member for Housing to represent the Council on the partnership.

The matter was being considered by the Urgency Committee as the first meeting of the proposed Sub-regional Strategic Housing Board was scheduled to be held before the next Full Council meeting on 12 April 2007.

The report presented two options for consideration:

·  Option 1 – To sign up to a sub-regional partnership for strategic housing;

·  Option 2 – To maintain the status quo.

Councillor Merrett expressed reservations that making links on traditional local authority boundaries had no logic in terms of housing demand and that links were needed instead with housing demand areas allied to York, such as the “golden triangle” (between York, Leeds and Harrogate).  He also expressed the view that partner organisations, such as Registered Social Landlords (RSL’s) should be included in the governance arrangements as well as local authorities.

RESOLVED:(i) That option 1, to participate in a sub-regional partnership for strategic housing, be agreed and the Executive Member for Housing be appointed as the Council’s representative on the partnership;

                        (ii) That the Executive Member for Housing, in consultation with the Director of Housing & Adult Social Services, be authorised to represent and take decisions relating to sub-regional housing issues at the partnership meetings on behalf of City of York Council.

REASON:To develop a governance framework through which sub-regional housing issues can be agreed and investment bids can be signed off, to better place North Yorkshire when competing for funding on a regional basis, to raise the profile of York within the sub-region and the sub-region as a whole, and to improve the sharing of best practice.