Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to declare if they had any personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have had in the business on the agenda. No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Staffing Matters & Urgency Committee held on 1 February 2016.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Staffing Matters and Urgency Committee held on 1 February 2016 be signed and approved as by the Chair as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is Friday 12 February 2015 at 5.00 pm.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

“Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast or audio recorded and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts. or, if sound recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council website following the meeting.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/6453/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetingspdf

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak. Gwen Swinburn did not attend the meeting, however the Chair read out her emailed comments in relation to the recruitment of staff.

The Chair stated that he wanted to make the recruitment process as open as he could, however there needed to be a balance between paid and non paid advertising. He stated that he would take some of the issues raised to the next Group Leader’s meeting.

This report asks the Committee to appoint two member places on the Business Improvement District Board.

The Committee considered a report which asked them to appoint two Members to the York Business Improvement District Board (BID).

It was noted that Councillor Looker had made previous representations when the report had been presented at Executive about greater political balance on the Board.

Resolved: That that the two available BID Board posts set aside for City of York Council be filled by Councillor Steward and Councillor Aspden.

Reason:    To ensure balanced representation for the Council on the BID Board and ongoing visible support for local businesses.

This report asks the Committee to establish an Appointments Panel to interview and make an appointment for the role of Chair of the York Flood Inquiry.

Members received a report which asked them to establish a Panel to interview for the role of Chair of an independent inquiry into the York Floods.

The Chair suggested in regards to the suggested recommendations in the Officer’s report, that a panel of three was not sufficient and felt that Group Leaders should be involved in consultation with the Chief Executive.

One Member asked if expressions of interest had been invited for members of the inquiry. It was confirmed this would be carried out once the Chair had been appointed.

Resolved: (i) That a Panel be appointed consisting of the four Group Leaders to interview and appoint for the role of Chair to the Flood Inquiry.

                (ii) That further members of the inquiry team be appointed by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of the inquiry and Group Leaders.

Reason: To ensure the appointment of a credible and independent chair for the Flood Inquiry.