Agenda and minutes

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

The Lord Mayor invited Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they had in any of the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 11 April 2006 and the Special meeting held on 27 April 2006.

The minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 11 April 2006 and the special meeting held on 27 April 2006 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The Lord Mayor announced the receipt of the following gifts to the City, which were available to view in the Council Chamber:

• A book from the Lithuanian Ambassador;
• A desk set from Munster.

At this point in the meeting, any member of the public who has registered to address the Council or ask a question of any Member of Council, for up to 3 minutes, on any matter directly relevant to the business of the Council or the City, may do so.  Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact Fiona Young on York (01904) 551024.  The deadline for registering is 10.00 am on Wednesday, 28^th June 2006.

The Lord Mayor reported that no registrations to speak had been received under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

To consider any petitions received from Members in accordance with Standing Order No.7.

No petitions were presented by Members under Standing Order 7.

To consider the following motions under Standing Order 11:

(i)         From Cllr Simpson-Laing:

“This Council has some concern over the partnership agreement between CYC & First York Ltd with regard to the ‘ftr’. Council asks CYC Officers:

·        To ensure that ticketing difficulties, including the issue of 'Family Tickets' and the inability of the ticket machines to give change are sorted out as a matter of urgency so that York residents are not financially penalised when using the service.

·        That CYC ask First to retain conductors on board or allow contact between passengers and drivers when there are payment difficulties or access/destination issues particularly for those with disabilities.”

(ii)        From Cllr Kind:

"This Council welcomes the election of the first elected Children’s and Young People’s Champion and congratulates Cllr David Scott as the successful candidate."

(iii)       From Cllr Scott :

"This Council supports The Press "Change it” campaign and directs the Chief Executive of the Council to write to the Home Secretary requesting him to :-

1.         Urgently review the law in relation to the abduction of children by strangers.

2.         Amend the legislation or introduce new legislation which will permit judges (at their discretion), where an individual         has been convicted of actual or attempted child abduction where a sexual intent has been proved to the satisfaction of the Court, to make banning orders and to place offenders on the Sex Offenders' Register.

(iv)       From Cllr Sue Galloway :

"City of York Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Health to halt the cuts at Selby and York Primary Care Trust, in order to protect the health of local residents.”

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

(i)           ftr

It was moved by Councillor Simpson-Laing and seconded by Councillor Merrettthat:

“This Council has some concern over the partnership agreement between CYC & First York Ltd with regard to the ‘ftr’. Council asks CYC Officers:

·        To ensure that ticketing difficulties, including the issue of 'Family Tickets' and the inability of the ticket machines to give change are sorted out as a matter of urgency so that York residents are not financially penalised when using the service.

·        That CYC ask First to retain conductors on board or allow contact between passengers and drivers when there are payment difficulties or access/destination issues particularly for those with disabilities.”

Cllr Steve Galloway moved, and Councillor Waller seconded, under Standing Order 11, that the motion stand referred for the preparation of an Officer report and subsequent consideration by the Executive, without substantive debate at this meeting.

That was put to the vote and was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED:             That the above notice of motion be referred for the preparation of an Officer report and subsequent consideration by the Executive.

(ii)         Young People’s Champion

                  It was moved by Councillor Kind and seconded by Councillor Fraser that:

                  "This Council welcomes the election of the first elected Children’s and Young People’s Champion and congratulates Cllr David Scott as the successful candidate."

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

                  RESOLVED:          That the above notice of motion be approved.

(iii)       “Change It” Campaign

It was moved by Councillor Scott and seconded by Councillor Kind that:

"This Council supports The Press "Change it” campaign and directs the Chief Executive of the Council to write to the Home Secretary requesting him to:-

1.   Urgently review the law in relation to the abduction of children by strangers.

2.   Amend the legislation or introduce new legislation which will permit judges (at their discretion), where an individual has been convicted of actual or attempted child abduction where a sexual intent has been proved to the satisfaction of the Court, to make banning orders and to place offenders on the Sex Offenders' Register.”

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

RESOLVED:             That the above notice of motion be approved.

(iv)       Selby & York Primary Care Trust Cuts

It was moved by Councillor Sue Galloway and seconded by Councillor Wallerthat:

"City of York Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Health to halt the cuts at Selby and York Primary Care Trust, in order to protect the health of local residents.”

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

RESOLVED:             That the above notice of motion be approved.

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 on the work of the Executive, and he then formally moved, and Councillor Waller seconded, those minutes requiring confirmation from the following meeting:

(i)           Executive on 27 June 2006, Minutes 19 and 20(circulated with the late papers) – recommendations in respect of the Statement of Accounts 2005/06, with the inclusion of amended pages 29 and 58-60, and the 2006/07 Council Plan, with the inclusion of the amendments circulated.

The motion was put to the vote and was declared CARRIEDand it was

RESOLVED:             That minutes 19 and 20 of the above meeting, and the recommendations of the Executive in respect of the Statement of Accounts 2005/06, with the inclusion of amended pages 29 and 58-60, and the 2006/07 Council Plan, with the inclusion of the amendments circulated, be approved and that the relevant pageof the Accounts be signed by the Lord Mayor as the formal record of them being approved by Council.

To receive a written report from the Executive Member for Housing Services and to question the Executive Member thereon.  Notice has been received of the following questions:

(i)         From Cllr Livesley

“Would the Executive Member confirm the details of the progress made on Housing Modernisation over the last three years?”

(ii)        From Cllr Greenwood

“How was the substantial reduction in rent arrears achieved?”

(ii)        From Cllr Cuthbertson

“What has been the effect of the introduction of rent payments by swipe card?”

A written report was received from Councillor Sunderland, the Executive Member for Housing.  Councillor Sunderland then responded to a series of questions put by Members in accordance with Standing Orders.  Prior notice had been given of ten questions to the Executive Member under this item.  These were taken in the order set out on the list circulated around the Council Chamber, until the 10 minute time limit had elapsed, as follows:

(i)           From Councillor Livesley:

“Would the Executive Member confirm the details of the progress made on Housing Modernisation over the last three years?”

The Executive Member replied:

“The figures are as follows:

Since 2003 the following works have been completed.

·        1377 properties have received Tenants Choice

• 1696 homes have had upvc double glazing fitted
• 747  fire doors have been fitted
• 217 roof coverings have been replaced
• 164 properties have had new doors fitted
• 9 blocks of flats have been re-rendered
• 332 homes have received either new boilers or full heating systems.
• 196 home have received new fires.

There are also the programmes of works which have been completed under the York Pride works:

·        Replacement of door entry systems

• Repairs and maintenance of communal areas, concrete paths repairs/ground works.
• Improved communal and security lighting
• And 49 burglar alarms were fitted across the city. Estate managers liaised with Safer York Partnership to identify those at risk.

 (ii)       From Councillor Greenwood

“How was the substantial reduction in rent arrears achieved?”

The Executive Member replied:

“The Current Tenant arrears have reduced by £500K over the last two years. £300K in 2004/05 when the department exceeded the target by £100K and a further £195K in 2005/06 achieving the targets set.

There are a number of factors that have led to the achievement.

The creation of a specialist income management team – In September 2004 the role of the estate manager was changed in the City based team. The staff were split between Tenancy management function and Rent recovery function. This was initially seen as a pilot for a year.

Over recent years there had been a trend for the arrears to increase. The arrears rose from £783k in March 2003 to £1,047k in March 2004 and at September 2004 the debt had risen by nearly £100K to £1,131k. The reasons for this trend were various:

• Lack of focus on arrears;
• Implementation of the new integrated system;
• Staff resources v Customer priorities.

During the first six months of the pilot between September 2004 and March 2005 there was a dramatic improvement in performance. The trend had been reversed with the arrears standing at £784k. The overall reduction across the two teams during the period were as follows:

The specialist team saw a 29% reduction with £236.5k coming off the arrears. The remaining generic team saw a reduction of £125k, a 25% reduction.

The progress continued through the remainder of the pilot and in January 2006 a report was received on the success of the scheme the report came to EMAP and was approved by Lib  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(i)         From Cllr Brian Watson to the Executive Leader

“Would the Leader of the Council explain why so many residents did not receive notice of the public meeting about the relocation of the Peasholme Centre and will he urgently organise another meeting to ensure proper consultation with residents?”

(ii)        From Cllr Simpson-Laing to the Executive Member for City Strategy

“Can the Executive Member inform Council on which other routes in the city the ‘ftr’ is being considered for, as reported in the Corporate Strategy 2006-2011?”

(iii)       From Cllr Simpson-Laing to the Executive Member for City Strategy

“Could the Executive Member describe what action she plans to take, in the next 6 months, in relation to growing congestion on York's arterial routes during rush hour, in particular to help with the running of buses?”

(iv)       From Cllr Simpson-Laing to the Executive Member for City Strategy

“Would the Executive Member agree to bring forward at the earliest possible date, a Supplementary Planning Guidance to stop the conversion of 2 bed terraced houses into flats, due to the effect that this is having on the supply of starter homes, and that at recent Planning Appeals CYC Policy H8 has been seen to contradict Policy H9 of the North Yorkshire County Structure Plan, with CYC decisions for refusal being overturned?”

(v)        From Cllr Moore to the Executive Member for City Strategy

“Can the Executive Member confirm that we have achieved all our Planning Targets for the year and should therefore no longer be designated a Standards Authority after 30^th June?”

(vi)       From Cllr Potter to the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services

“Will the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services explain why there is a two tier system of street cleaning operating in the City, where terraced areas are only swept once or twice a year when gullies are cleaned whilst the remainder of the City streets are swept on a 40 day cycle? Please can he also give his assurance that the imminent  review of street cleaning will address this inequality and ensure that terraced areas receive the same level of service enjoyed by the rest of the City?”

(vii)      From Cllr Holvey to the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services

“Would the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods not agree that the timely removal of graffiti is of key concern to residents and say what the Council is doing to achieve this?”

(viii)     From Cllr Vassie to the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services

“Would the Executive Member give details of the recycling levels that the Council and partners have achieved in the City?”

(ix)       From Cllr R Watson to the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services

“Could the Executive Member give an update on progress with the Eco Depot?”

(x)        From Cllr Aspden to the Executive Member for Social Inclusion and Youth

“How has the Executive Member responded to the recommendations made in the Inclusive Decision Making Scrutiny Report?”

In accordance with Standing Order 10 (c) (1) the following questions were put and responses given:

(i)         From Councillor Brian Watson to the Executive Leader

“Would the Leader of the Council explain why so many residents did not receive notice of the public meeting about the relocation of the Peasholme Centre and will he urgently organise another meeting to ensure proper consultation with residents?”

            The Executive Leader replied:

“In relation to the streets to be leafleted, these were agreed between officers and Ward Members. 

The streets where some residents are claiming to officers that apparently leaflets hadn't been delivered were Ogleforth and Aldwark, two streets that Cllr Watson asked to be included and which are on the distribution list.  There were no concerns raised with officers over the area leafleted surrounding the Fishergate site.

Written confirmation has been received from the contractor to the effect that leaflets were delivered to all homes in the streets on the list.

I am happy for an officer to attend the Guildhall Ward Committee meeting on 13^th July to answer any outstanding questions that residents may have.”

(ii)        From Councillor Simpson-Laing to the Executive Member for City Strategy

            “Can the Executive Member inform Council on which other routes in the city the ‘ftr’ is being considered for, as reported in the Corporate Strategy 2006-2011?”

            The Executive Member replied:

            “There are no plans to extend the use of the ftr at the present time. It is possible that in the future it will be considered for use in public transport links connected with the York Central development.”

(iii)       From Councillor Simpson-Laing to the Executive Member for City Strategy

            “Could the Executive Member describe what action she plans to take, in the next 6 months, in relation to growing congestion on York's arterial routes during rush hour, in particular to help with the running of buses?”

            The Executive Member replied:

“Congestion levels are not increasing in the City. Our plans continue to be to encourage residents to walk or cycle to destinations when ever possible, thus minimizing demand for road space.”

(iv)      From Councillor Simpson-Laing to the Executive Member for City Strategy

“Would the Executive Member agree to bring forward at the earliest possible date, a Supplementary Planning Guidance to stop the conversion of 2 bed terraced houses into flats, due to the effect that this is having on the supply of starter homes, and that at recent Planning Appeals CYC Policy H8 has been seen to contradict Policy H9 of the North Yorkshire County Structure Plan, with CYC decisions for refusal being overturned?”

            The Executive Member replied:

“The issue of the conversion of terraces houses and other properties into flats will be considered as part of the on going work on the Local Development Framework. More specifically it is proposed this will be considered as part of the production of the Development Control Development Plan Document. The inclusion of suitable policy approach within a development plan document will clearly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To consider the following recommendations for approval from the Audit and Governance Committee:

Councillor R Watson moved and Councillor Moore seconded those minutes requiring confirmation from the following meeting:

(i)      Audit & Governance Committee on 6 June 2006, Minute 13 – recommendations in respect of the Committee Role, Remit and Key Relationships – Statement of Purpose.

RESOLVED:             That minute 13 of the above meeting and the recommendations of Audit & Governance Committee in respect of the Committee Role, Remit and Key Relationships – Statement of Purpose be approved.

To consider the following recommendations for approval from the Licensing and Regulatory Committee:

Councillor Nimmo moved and Councillor I Waudby seconded those minutes requiring confirmation from the following meeting:

(i)   Licensing & Regulatory Committee on 2 June 2006, Minute 4 – recommendations in respect of Electoral Arrangements – Parish of Clifton Without.

RESOLVED:             That minute 4 of the above meeting and the recommendations of Licensing & Regulatory Committee in respect of Electoral Arrangements – Parish of Clifton Without be approved.

To consider a report from the Head of Civic, Democratic and Legal Services which sets out the amendments to the Constitution implemented to action the decisions of the Special Council Meeting on 27 April 2006, together with further minor drafting amendments authorised under Article 16 of the new Constitution.

Councillor Steve Galloway moved, and Councillor Waller seconded, the recommendations in the report of the Head of Civic, Democratic and Legal Services, at pages 35-37 of the Council papers.  The report sought approval for some minor drafting amendments to the Council’s new Constitution.  An amended version of the schedule of amendments annexed to the report had been circulated around the Council Chamber.

RESOLVED: That the amendments to the Constitution, set out in the amended version of the schedule of amendments circulated around the Council Chamber, be approved.

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

A written report was received from Councillor Kirk, the Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee (SMC), on the work of the SMC since the last report to Council, in April 2006.

Minutes of the following meetings of outside bodies, received since the last meeting of Council, have been made available for Members to view on the Council’s computer system, on the M:Drive in “All Members/COUNCIL Outside Body Minutes/2006/29 June 2006”. Copies may also be obtained by contacting the Democracy Support Group at the Guildhall, York (Tel. 01904 551088). 

• Yorkshire and Humber Assembly – meeting on 24 January 2006 and Executive Board meeting on 20 April 2006.
• North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority – meeting on 8 February 2006 and special meeting on 27 March 2006.

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

Minutes or reports of the following meetings of Outside Bodies were considered.  In accordance with a previous request at Council, these had been made available to Members to view on the Council’s computer system.  The Lord Mayor invited comments and questions, firstly, from Council representatives on those bodies either in relation to the body generally or specifically on the minutes, and then, secondly, from Members generally.

·        Yorkshire and Humber Assembly

Meeting on 24 January 2006 and Executive Board meeting on 20 April 2006

·        North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority

Meeting on 8 February 2006 and special meeting on 27 March 2006

To consider the appointments and changes to the membership of Committees and Outside Bodies set out in the list attached to this Summons as agenda item 15.

RESOLVED:             That the appointments to Committees, Outside Bodies and Working Groups, as set out in the revised list circulated around the Council Chamber (attached as Annex A to these minutes), be approved.