Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members will be invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on the 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. Councillors Waudby and Funnell declared personal non-prejudicial interests in agenda item 4 “Traffic Congestion Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee – Final Report” (minute 18 refers) as holders of an older person’s bus pass. Councillor Simpson-Laing declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 4 “Traffic Congestion Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee – Final Report” (minute 18 refers) as a member of the Traffic Congestion Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2009.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2009 be confirmed and signed 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 5:00 pm on Friday 29 January 2010.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report presents the final report of the Traffic Congestion Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee regarding their review on Traffic Congestion in York.

Members received a report that presented the final report of the Traffic Congestion Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee regarding their review on traffic congestion in York.  Copies of the “Tackling Traffic Congestion in York” consultation questionnaire were tabled for information.

Councillor Merrett, Chair of the Committee, went through the key issues in the report.   It was noted that the recommendations had been split into two parts – those that in the Committee’s view needed to be implemented in the short term and included in LTP3, and those that made up a long term strategic response to tackling congestion from LTP3 onwards.  Councillor Merrett highlighted the two important short to medium term priorities as being a review of local bus services and the implementation of smart choice travel initiatives.  It was noted that this would require a revenue commitment. 

Consideration was given to each of the recommendations detailed in the report. 

In respect of recommendation (v), it was agreed that there was a need to look at how travel plans, including the Council’s own plan, could be made more effective and robust. 

RESOLVED:(i)         That the contents of the final reports and its annexes be

                                    noted.

(ii)That the recommendations in the report be supported in principle, whilst it being acknowledged that some of the recommendations had cost implications.

(iii)             That thanks be recorded to the Traffic Congestion Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee for the work that they had carried out during the review.

REASON:      To inform the Executive’s consideration of the final report.

Any other business which the Chair considers is urgent under the Local Government Act 1972.  The Chair has agreed to consider under urgent business a report on “Scrutiny Review Support Budget”.  This item is urgent to meet the timescales in the budget process.

Members received a report that summarised the position to date on expenditure against the budget available specifically for supporting scrutiny reviews in 2009/10.  It also sought Members’ views on the available budget for 2010/11, with a view to making a recommendation to the Council as part of the budget setting process.  The Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee had agreed to take this report as an urgent item in view of the timescales involved. 

Concerns were expressed regarding the budget proposal to delete the vacant scrutiny assistant post.  Comments were put forward that, in view of the developments in the scrutiny process, there was a need for it to be better resourced.

RESOLVED:            (i)            That the current budget position for 2009/10 be noted.

(ii)               That the amount from the budget allocated directly to scrutiny committees should remain at £500 initially, subject to requests for more funds from those committees being made to SMC if necessary.

(iii)             That SMC were disappointed to note the proposal to delete the scrutiny assistant post.

REASON:      To enable Council to set an informed scrutiny review support budget for the 2010/11 financial year.