Agenda and minutes

At this point, 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, the Chair invited Members to

declare any personal, pecuniary or prejudicial interests, which

they had not already included in their standing register of

interests. None were declared.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2021.

It was proposed that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2021 be deferred until the next meeting of the Committee, this was due to a minimum quoracy of Members who had attended the last meeting not being present to sign the minutes.

A vote was taken on the proposal to defer the minutes, with the following result:

5 Members voted the deferral. 

0 Members voted against.

1 Member abstained.

Resolved:

                   i.        That the minutes of the meeting held on 2021 be deferred to the meeting of Committee on the 10 November 2021.

Reason:    To ensure the minutes can be signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee. Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at our meetings. The deadline for registering at this meeting is at 5.00pm on Thursday, 2 September 2021.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form. If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting please contact Democratic Services on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission.

The meeting can be viewed live and on demand at

www.york.gov.uk/webcasts. During coronavirus, we've made some changes to how we're running council meetings. See our

coronavirus updates (www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy) for more information on meetings and decisions.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at

the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

To receive a presentation at the meeting (slides to follow).

Members received a presentation covering a Public Health Update and Long Covid Modelling. Members raised questions about vaccine take up disparities and whether there continued to be a disparity between wards, officers confirmed that take up continued not to be equal across wards. Officers outlined that there was not a issue in accessing vaccines across York but that some individuals had chosen not to come forward for a vaccine. Members enquired about what public health could do to encourage take up and it was confirmed that the Council was aiming to ensure everyone has the correct information about Covid-19 and the Vaccine to ensure they can decide whether or not to be vaccinated.

The Committee enquired about young people and children receiving the vaccine, officers confirmed that 18-29 year olds had a surge in vaccination take up when made available but that this had dropped off. It was confirmed that further work would be undertaken to encourage take up in this age group. In reference to under 16’s officers noted that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation had recommended against vaccines for 12-15, however, Government would consider further before a decision was taken. It was confirmed that preparations had been made if required, but it was noted that system capacity would be a factor as the seasonal flu vaccination was also required to be delivered.

The Committee agreed to resolve the below with one abstention.

Resolved:

                      i.         That the Public Health Update with Long Covid Modelling update be noted.

Reason:     To keep the Committee informed of the impact of the

pandemic across the city.

This report presents details of the council’s overall finance and performance position for the period covering 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021, together with an overview of any emerging issues.

Officers introduced the Finance and Performance Monitor noting it was the first report of the year which had also been considered by Executive on 26 August 2021. Pressures on Adults and Children’s Social Care were highlighted and while not exclusive to York they presented a financial challenge to the Council and that it was prudent for the Council to plan to mitigate costs.

Members enquired about the cost of Covid-19 and what the difference was between additional financial support to deal with issues linked to Covid-19 and the actual cost to the Council. It was confirmed that this data was not available but would be shared with the Committee once available.  

The Committee agreed to resolve the below with one abstention.

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the finance and performance information and the actions needed to manage the financial position.

Reason:     To ensure expenditure is kept within the approved budget.

This report provides further information for the Committee on the Council’s monitoring and tracking practices in place for approved Council Motions.

Members considered the update report on monitoring motions approved at Council and the proposal of 6 monthly updates to the Committee.

The Committee agreed to resolve the below with one abstention.

Resolved:

                      i.         That a bi-annual report should be presented to this Committee, on approved Council motions.

Reason:     In order to ensure that processes for monitoring and implementing approved Council motions resolutions are sufficiently robust.

This report provides information on Petitions received by the Council since January 2020. 

Officers noted that regular reporting on the Council’s schedule of petitions had come to the Committee prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and that more regular updates were recommended to be brought back to the Committee.  

The Committee agreed to resolve the below with one abstention.

Resolved:

                      i.         That regular updates on the Schedule of Petitions be added to the Committee work plan.

Reason:     To ensure the Committee carries out its requirements in relation to petitions.

To consider the Draft Work Plan for 2020-21.

The Committee work plan was considered and it was noted that the Committee was required to consider the Annual Complaints Report and agreed to consider the item in October and they considered and agreed to consider the Monitor of Motions in November.

The Committee agreed to resolve the below with one abstention.

Resolved:

                      i.         That Annual Complaints Report be added to the October meeting of the Committee;

                     ii.         That the Monitor of Motions be added to the November meeting of the Committee;

                    iii.        Noted the Committee Work Plan.

Reason:     To ensure the Committee continue to have a

plan of work for 2021/22.