Agenda and minutes

Members observed a minute’s silence for former Councillor David Henderson, Member for Huntington and New Earswick from 1999 to 2003, who had recently died.

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

The Chair invited Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.  The following interests were declared:

• Councillor Fraser – a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 7(i) (Notices of Motion – North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust), as a retired member of Unison;
• Councillor Moore – a personal prejudicial interest in agenda item 7(i) (Notices of Motion – North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust), as his wife was employed by a general practice.  He withdrew from the Chamber and took no part in the discussion or decision on this motion.

To approve and sign the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting held on 25 January 2007 and Budget Council meeting held on 21 February 2007.

The minutes of the ordinary Council meeting held on 25 January 2007 and Budget Council meeting held on 21 February 2007 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor, with an amendment to the former to indicate that Cllr Aspden was present.

To consider any announcements made by the Lord Mayor in respect of Civic business.

The Lord Mayor announced the receipt of the following gifts:

• A pewter tray from representatives of Munster, who had visited recently;
• Plaques from a Bulgarian visitor, the Mayor of Bundaberg, Australia, and the Mayor of Blackpool;
• Artefacts relating to former Lord Mayor Agar.

She also reported that she had recently visited Dijon.

To invite the Lord Mayor Elect to nominate her Sheriff for the 2007/2008 Municipal Year.

The Lord Mayor Elect nominated Councillor Keith Hymanas her Sheriff for the 2007/2008 Municipal Year.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the remit of Council may do so.  Anyone who wishes to register, or requires further information, is requested to contact the Democracy Officer for this meeting.  Contact details are listed at the foot of this agenda.  The deadline for registering is 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 11^th April 2007.

The Lord Mayor reported that there had been five registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Sally Arnup spoke on behalf of the Save Yearsley Bridge Group, regarding the threat of closure to Yearsley Bridge Day Centre.

Daphne Taylor spoke on behalf of residents of St Peter’s Grove, to call for the York stone paving to be saved.

Alan Carbert spoke on behalf of Askham Bryan Parish Council, to call for the reinstatement of the weight limit restriction through the village and for restricted access signs to be placed at all entrances to the village.

Grace Fletcher-Hall spoke on behalf of University students, regarding recycling facilities, and on behalf of residents of Heslington village, regarding bus fares.

Shay Patterson spoke on behalf of residents of Horner Street, Wilberforce Avenue and Cromer Street, regarding traffic problems in these streets.

To consider any petitions received from Members in accordance with Standing Order No. 7.  To date, notice has been received of petitions to be presented by:

                    i)            Cllr Scott, on behalf of the residents of Horner Street, Wilberforce Avenue and Cromer Street, regarding traffic problems in these streets.

                  ii)            Cllr Vassie, on behalf of residents of Elvington village, calling for a bus service between Elvington and Monks Cross.

                iii)            Cllr Bartlett, on behalf of local residents and parents of pupils at St Paul’s Primary School, seeking traffic safety measures near the school.

                iv)            Cllr Moore, on behalf of Clifton Moor Residents’ Association, calling on the Council to investigate and address speeding on two roads near the local primary school.       

                  v)            Cllr Reid, on behalf of residents asking for the snicket between Chantry Close and Carrfield to be closed at night.

                vi)            Cllr Jamieson-Ball, on behalf of some residents of Main Street, Heslington, calling for the introduction of a Respark scheme.

The following petitions were presented by Members under Standing Order 7:

                    i)            A petition presented by Cllr Scott, on behalf of the residents of Horner Street, Wilberforce Avenue and Cromer Street, regarding traffic problems in these streets.

                  ii)            A petition presented by Cllr Vassie, on behalf of residents of Elvington village, calling for a bus service between Elvington and Monks Cross.

                iii)            A petition presented by Cllr Bartlett, on behalf of local residents and parents of pupils at St Paul’s Primary School, seeking traffic safety measures near the school.

                iv)            A petition presented by Cllr Moore, on behalf of Clifton Moor Residents’ Association, calling on the Council to investigate and address speeding on two roads near the local primary school.

                  v)            A petition presented by Cllr Reid, on behalf of residents asking for the snicket between Chantry Close and Carrfield to be closed at night.

                vi)            A petition presented by Cllr Jamieson-Ball, on behalf of some residents of Main Street, Heslington, calling for the introduction of a Respark scheme.

              vii)            A petition presented by Cllr King, on behalf of residents of St Peter’s Grove, calling for the York stone paving to be saved.

            viii)            Petitions presented by Cllr Potter, on behalf of University students, regarding recycling facilities, and on behalf of residents of Heslington village, regarding bus fares;

                ix)            A petition presented by Cllr Potter, on behalf of residents of Heworth, regarding maintenance of grass verges;

                  x)            A petition presented by Cllr Brian Watson, on behalf of the Save Yearsley Bridge Group, regarding the threat of closure to Yearsley Bridge Day Centre;

                xi)            A petition presented by the Lord Mayor (Cllr Hopton), on behalf of Askham Bryan Parish Council, calling for the reinstatement of the weight limit restriction through the village and for restricted access signs to be placed at all entrances to the village.

RESOLVED: That the above petitions be referred to the Executive or appropriate committee.

To consider the following Notices of Motion under Standing Order 11:

A – Motions referred from the Executive in accordance with Standing Order 11(a)(i) (copies of the relevant report to the Executive and extract from the Executive minutes are attached):

(i)      From Cllr Bartlett:

“This Council:

·        Supports the Press campaign to ‘Let your Doctor decide’ which calls on North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (NYYPCT) to scrap the Prior Approval Panel;

·        Records its thanks to those MPs and North Yorkshire Councils who have recorded their support for the ‘ditch the debt’ motion passed by the York Council at its meeting on 25^th January;

·        Remains concerned that reductions, restrictions and delays in NHS treatment in York could have a negative impact upon Council services and budgets.”

B – Motions submitted for consideration directly by Council, in accordance with Standing Order 11(a)(ii)

(ii)      From Cllr Merrett:

“This City of York Council places on record its belief that the ruling Liberal Democrat Executive has failed miserably to honour many of its 2003 Election pledges to the residents of York.  In particular, the ruling Group has been guilty of:

·       Failure to honour their pledge of £100 cashback off Council Tax

·       Failure to extend full recycling to all properties, particularly terraced streets and flatted dwellings

·       Failure to properly consult residents over the introduction of fortnightly alternate bin collections

·       Failure to secure a larger supply of affordable housing for use by York’s residents

·       Failure to provide proper and effective management – losing millions on the Barbican fiasco

·       Failure to expand sufficiently Park and Ride schemes.

In addition to these failures, Council is also mindful of the self-inflicted catastrophes which have befallen this ill-directed administration, recalling in particular:

·       The introduction of evening car parking charges, which had a detrimental effect on many areas of York’s night time economy

·       The flawed consultation process associated with the relocation of a new swimming pool

·       On-street car parking charges

·       The fireworks day fiasco

·       Cllr Reid’s ‘Green Wave’

·       Misleading statements on the re-provision of a Barbican pool

·       Several wasted years sorting out street cleaning in terraced areas.

Council awaits with interest the outcome of York residents’ opinions following the elections on 3^rd May.”

(iii)     From Cllr Potter:

“This Council regrets the lack of commitment from the Liberal Democrat administration to tackling community safety issues in the City.  This is evidenced by:

·       Cutbacks to the Safer York Partnership budget

·       Long term delays in resolving the issues over the future Chair of the SYP Board management of the senior staff, and effective integration of the Drugs Advisory Team

·       Repeatedly rejecting the advice of the Chief Executive to fund a Safe City Co-ordinator within the Council

·       Failure of the CYC chaired Anti-Social Behaviour task group to function properly for nearly two years

·       CYC Neighbourhood Pride Unit not supporting  facilitation of the roll out of the joint Ward working with the police after the initial support of the pilots

·       The long delays in first repairing and then modernizing the City Centre  ...  view the full agenda text for item 70.

In accordance with Standing Order 11, five notices of motion had been received:

(i)         North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust

This motion had been referred from the Executive in accordance with Standing Order 11(a)(i).

It was moved by Cllr Bartlett and seconded by Cllr Livesley that:

“This Council:

·  Supports the Press campaign to ‘Let your Doctor decide’ which calls on North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (NYYPCT) to scrap the Prior Approval Panel;

·  Records its thanks to those MPs and North Yorkshire Councils who have recorded their support for the ‘ditch the debt’ motion passed by the York Council at its meeting on 25^th January;

·  Remains concerned that reductions, restrictions and delays in NHS treatment in York could have a negative impact upon Council services and budgets.”

Cllr Fraser then moved, and Cllr Looker seconded, an amendment to the above motion, as follows:

“At line 1: After ‘Council’ insert ‘ acknowledges public concerns regarding the financial position of  the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (NYYPCT). Further, Council:

In first bullet point delete ‘supports’ and insert ‘notes’ and also delete  ‘Prior Approvals panel’ and insert ‘ Exceptions Panel for Prior Approvals’.

Insert a new second bullet point

‘Notes the announcement by the Government of almost £100 million in additional funding in 2007/08 and a further additional £32 million for 2008/09 for the York and North Yorkshire PCT and the intention in the PCT’s  Recovery Plan, agreed at their Board meeting on 5^th April, to repay the debt in 2007/08.’”

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared LOST.

The original motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED:            That the above notice of motion be approved.

(ii)        The Record of the Current Administration

It was moved by Cllr Merrett and seconded by Cllr Horton that:

“This City of York Council places on record its belief that the ruling Liberal Democrat Executive has failed miserably to honour many of its 2003 Election pledges to the residents of York.  In particular, the ruling Group has been guilty of:

·        Failure to honour their pledge of £100 cashback off Council Tax

·        Failure to extend full recycling to all properties, particularly terraced streets and flatted dwellings

·        Failure to properly consult residents over the introduction of fortnightly alternate bin collections

·        Failure to secure a larger supply of affordable housing for use by York’s residents

·        Failure to provide proper and effective management – losing millions on the Barbican fiasco

·        Failure to expand sufficiently Park and Ride schemes.

In addition to these failures, Council is also mindful of the self-inflicted catastrophes which have befallen this ill-directed administration, recalling in particular:

·        The introduction of evening car parking charges, which had a detrimental effect on many areas of York’s night time economy

·        The flawed consultation process associated with the relocation of a new swimming pool

·        On-street car parking charges

·        The fireworks day fiasco

·        Cllr Reid’s ‘Green Wave’

·        Misleading statements on the re-provision of a Barbican pool

·        Several wasted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

To receive and consider a written report from the Leader on the work of the Executive, and the Executive recommendations for approval, as set out below:

A written report was received from the Leader, Cllr Steve Galloway, on the work of the Executive.  He then moved, and Cllr Waller seconded, the minute requiring confirmation from the Executive meeting on 27 February 2007, namely:

·  minute 174 – Children and Young People’s Plan.

Cllr Steve Galloway, Cllr Merrett and Cllr D’Agorne paid tribute to Members of their Groups who were standing down at the forthcoming elections.

RESOLVED:That the above minute and the recommendations of the Executive be approved.

The guillotine fell at this point in the meeting and the remaining items of business requiring a decision were proposed and seconded and voted on without debate.

To receive a written report from the Executive Member for Youth and Social Inclusion, and to question the Executive Member thereon, provided any such questions are registered in accordance with the timescales and procedures set out in Standing Order 8(2)(a).

A written report was received from Cllr Jamieson-Ball, the Executive Member for Youth and Social Inclusion.

Notice had been received of one question put by a Member in accordance with Standing Orders, as follows and as set out on the list circulated around the Council Chamber:

(i)         From Cllr Scott:

            “Can the Executive Member explain to Council what he is doing for the young people of Haxby and Strensall?”

As the guillotine had fallen, this question was deferred to the next meeting of Council.

To receive details of key decisions which have been taken by the Executive and Executive Members between 1 March 2006 and 1 March 2007 under formal urgency procedures, in accordance with Section 5 of the Council’s Access to Information Protocol.

In accordance with Section 5 of the Council’s Access to Information Protocol, the Leader, Cllr Steve Galloway, moved, and Cllr Waller seconded, receipt of a report detailing the key decisions which had been taken by the Executive and Executive Members between 1 March 2006 and 1 March 2007 under formal urgency procedures.

RESOLVED:            That the report be received.

To deal with the following questions to the Executive Leader and / or other Executive Members, in accordance with Standing Order 10(a):

(i)      To the Executive Member for City Strategy, from Cllr Vassie:

“Can the Executive member report on the success of the relaunched Yozone Card?”

(ii)     To the Executive Member for Adult Social Services, from Cllr Fraser:

          “In the light of continuing failures to maintain services to customers reliant on Home Care, and the recent decision to re-tender part of the contract in the West locality, will the Executive Member for Adult Social Services take responsibility for the inadequate implementation of her decision to reorganise the service?”

In accordance with Standing Order 10(c)(i), the following questions had been put:

(i)                 To the Executive Member for City Strategy, from Cllr Vassie:

“Can the Executive Member report on the success of the relaunched Yozone card?”

(ii)        To the Executive Member for Adult Social Services, from Cllr Fraser:

“In the light of continuing failures to maintain services to customers reliant on Home Care, and the recent decision to re-tender part of the contract in the West locality, will the Executive Member for Adult Social Services take responsibility for the inadequate implementation of her decision to reorganise the service?”

As the guillotine had fallen, these questions were deferred to the next meeting of Council.

To receive the Annual Report of the Standards Committee, which was approved by the Committee at its meeting on 9 March 2007.

The Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee, Cllr Irene Waudby moved, and Cllr Livesley seconded, the Committee’s Annual Report.

RESOLVED:            That the report be received.

To receive a report from Cllr Kirk, the Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee (SMC) on the work of the SMC.

A written report was received from Cllr Kirk, the Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee (SMC) on the work of the SMC since the last report to Council on 25 January 2007.

Minutes of the following meetings of outside bodies, received since the last meeting of Council, have been made available for Members to view via the Council’s website at http://sql003.york.gov.uk/mgListOutsideBodies.asp?bcr=1

Copies may also be obtained by contacting Democracy Support Group at the Guildhall, York (tel. 01904 551088).

·        Yorkshire and Humber Assembly (minutes of meeting on 19 October 2006)

·        Pension Fund Committee (minutes of meeting on 23 November 2006)

·        North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (minutes of meeting on 18 December 2006)

·        North Yorkshire Police Authority (minutes of meeting on 5 February 2007)

·        Safer York Partnership (minutes of meeting on 7 March 2007)

Members are invited to put any questions to the Council’s representatives on the above bodies, in accordance with Standing Order 10(b).

Minutes of the following meetings of Outside Bodies had been made available for Members to view on the Council’s website:

·  Yorkshire and Humber Assembly (minutes of meeting on 19 October 2006)

·  Pension Fund Committee (minutes of meeting on 23 November 2006)

·  North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (minutes of meeting on 18 December 2006)

·  North Yorkshire Police Authority (minutes of meeting on 5 February 2007)

·  Safer York Partnership (minutes of meeting on 7 March 2007)

To consider the appointments and changes to membership of committees and outside bodies set out on the list attached to this summons.

RESOLVED:That the appointments to Committees, Outside Bodies and Working Groups set out in the list at page 75 of the Council papers (and attached as Annex 1 to these minutes) be approved.

The Lord Mayor thanked all retiring Members for their service to the Council and the residents they represented.