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.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

The following personal interests were declared:

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of Council held on 18 July 2013.

Resolved:           That the minutes of the last Meeting of Council held on 18 July 2013 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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

The Lord Mayor confirmed details of the support she was giving to the ‘White Ribbon’ campaign, to gain accreditation for the city, with a reduction in the incidence of domestic violence. This campaign,  in partnership with local businesses, would shortly be launched in the city and she welcomed Group Leaders support and the input of Members.

At this point in the meeting, any member of the public who has registered to address the Council, or to ask a Member of the Council a question, on a matter directly relevant to the business of the Council or the City, may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Wednesday 9 October 2013.

The Lord Mayor announced that five members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting.

Peter Richardson spoke of his concerns at the figures put forward for future housing requirements in the city without sufficient jobs being created for people occupying them. Pressure from house builders was suggested as the reason for the figures put forward. A request was made to Members to remove housing sites in Haxby as drainage would be unable to cope with any increase in development.

Colin Hall spoke in support of the administration and leadership of the authority. He confirmed that the authority had done well in maintaining services in the city however he asked that, prior to  transfer of the Libraries and Archives service to a social enterprise, an open review be undertaken of the consultation responses, Trade Union comments, governance, finance and staff protection issues. 

Gwen Swinburn spoke of her concerns and frustrations at a number of management issues particularly those highlighted in the Big York Survey referring to the oversight required of a number of financial decisions. She suggested that all these issues could be examined by scrutiny committees or by the involvement of the Local Government Association.

Dennis Martin spoke in support of Dunnington Parish Council’s one hundred page response to the Local Plan in particular to the inappropriate siting of the proposed gypsy and traveller site, on land previously regarded as green belt which separated the village from the industrial estate. He expressed concerns at the lack of prior discussion with the Parish Council and a request made to withdraw the site from the Local Plan.

Julian Sturdy, MP spoke in support of the Local Plan petition to be debated later in the meeting relating to the protection of York’s green belt which enhanced the city. Although not against a Local Plan for York he pointed out that it needed to be the right plan with services provided for any new housing sites. In an effort to save the green belt, he requested that housing targets be reduced to a more sustainable level using brownfield sites for housing rather than industrial development.           

i)          To debate the following petitions, signed by over 1,000 people, in relation to the Council’s Local Plan, in accordance with the Council’s petitions scheme:

·  Cllr Ann Reid – Council Meeting 18^th July 2013

  2302 signatures

“I/We the undersigned oppose Labour’s plans to use Green Belt land across York to build 22,000 houses over the next 15 years.”

·  Dunnington Parish Council

1323 signatures

“We the undersigned petition the City of York Council to stop the building of a permanent 15 pitch Gypsy/Traveller site using land at Common Lane and Hassacarr Lane in Dunnington, York.  It’s located on Green Belt land, adjacent to Hassacarr Nature Reserve and will have a major impact on the people living in the surrounding area, homes and businesses.  There are plenty of areas around York that would be suitable for these traveller locations that would not affect local residences and businesses.         City of York Council needs to support our petition and keep residents happy by providing areas and communities that people feel content to live in.”

· Cllr Ann Reid - Council Meeting 18^th July 2013

          1084 signatures

         “We the undersigned object to the proposals in the council’s Local Plan for the development of land lying between Wetherby Road and Knapton village.  We believe that the site should continue to be included in the Green Belt as it protects the rural setting of the western approach to the city which would otherwise begin to merge with the outer ring road.”

·  Gypsy & Travellers site, Malton Road, Huntington

  1036 signatures

  “We the undersigned petition the council to stop the building of a permanent site for 20 pitches (20-80 caravans) on a 3 acre plus site, Huntington York.  The placement of this site right at the heart of an established community, locating it immediately adjacent to homes, a nature reserve and businesses would not be appropriate in this locality, by virtue of its potential impact on Huntington & Heworth residents.  We believe it is hard to conceive of a more inappropriate proposal.”

·  Say No to the proposed plans of a 16 acre permanent travellers site in Knapton York

            1204 signatures (closed 1^st September 2013)

  “We the undersigned petition the council to stop the building of a permanent site for 20 static caravans on a 16 acre site, Knapton  York. The council of York want to build it for 'show men ' as a permanent home. The site is bigger than the whole village of knapton put together. Its green belt land and the owner hasn’t even been approached about the proposal. This will have a major impact on the people living in the surrounding area, homes and businesses. There are plenty of areas around York that would be suitable for these traveller locations that would not affect local residences and businesses in the York area. York Council needs to support our decisions and keep residents happy by providing areas and communities that people feel content to live in.”

·  Protect York’s Greenbelt

1232 signatures on 2^{nd  ...  view the full agenda text for item 35.}

A.          Petitions in relation to the Council’s Local Plan

In view of the number of signatories to the following petitions relating to the Council’s Local Plan and in accordance with the Council’s current petitions scheme, these were discussed by Members. Consideration was also given to a background report from the Assistant Director for City and Environmental Services:

·           Presented by Cllr Ann Reid – Council Meeting, 18^th July 2013

        2302 signatures

“I/We the undersigned oppose Labour’s plans to use Green Belt land across York to build 22,000 houses over the next 15 years.”

·            Dunnington Parish Council

1323 signatures

“We the undersigned petition the City of York Council to stop the building of a permanent 15 pitch Gypsy/Traveller site using land at Common Lane and Hassacarr Lane in Dunnington, York. It’s located on Green Belt land, adjacent to Hassacarr Nature Reserve and will have a major impact on the people living in the surrounding area, homes and businesses.  There are plenty of areas around York that would be suitable for these traveller locations that would not affect local residences and businesses.  City of York Council needs to support our petition and keep residents happy by providing areas and communities that people feel content to live in.”

·          Presented by Cllr Ann Reid - Council Meeting, 18^th July 2013

      1084 signatures

“We the undersigned object to the proposals in the council’s Local Plan for the development of land lying between Wetherby Road and Knapton village.  We believe that the site should continue to         be included in the Green Belt as it protects the rural setting of the western approach to the city which would otherwise begin to merge with the outer ring road.”

·           Gypsy & Travellers Site, Malton Road, Huntington

      1036 signatures

“We the undersigned petition the council to stop the building of a permanent site for 20 pitches (20-80 caravans) on a 3 acre plus site, Huntington York.  The placement of this site right at the heart of an established community, locating it immediately adjacent to homes, a nature reserve and businesses would not be appropriate in this locality, by virtue of its potential impact on Huntington & Heworth residents.  We believe it is hard to conceive of a more inappropriate proposal.”

·          Say No to the proposed plans for  a 16 acre permanent travellers site in Knapton York

                1204 signatures (closed 1^st September 2013)

“We the undersigned petition the council to stop the building of a permanent site for 20 static caravans on a 16 acre site, Knapton York. The council of York want to build it for 'show men ' as a permanent home. The site is bigger than the whole village of knapton put together. Its green belt land and the owner hasn’t even been approached about the proposal. This will have a major impact on the people living in the surrounding area, homes and businesses. There are plenty of areas around York that would be suitable for these traveller locations that would not affect local residences and businesses  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

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

http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=733&MId=7640&Ver=4

A written report was received from the Cabinet Leader, Cllr James Alexander, on the work of the Cabinet.

A       Questions

Notice had been received of ten questions on the written report, submitted by Members in accordance with Standing Orders. The first five questions were put and answered as follows and Cllr Alexander undertook to provide Members with written answers to the remaining questions:

(i)           From Cllr Warters

 “The Council Leader’s report refers to the growing problem of in-work poverty, does the Council Leader agree that employing low earners on zero hours contracts contributes to in-work poverty and if so why does the Labour run City of York Council employee significant numbers of agency staff on zero hours contracts?”

The Leader replied:

“I do agree that it does and I am pleased that City of York does not employ people on zero hour contracts. Also we have reduced the use of agency staff significantly and set up instead our own agency company that pays the living wage.  It is important to distinguish between this and zero hour contracted employment, the former of which there will always be some need for in an organisation employing thousands of people.”

(ii)          From Cllr Warters

“The Council Leader’s report refers to the cost of living challenge and addressing the wage gap in this city, can the Council Leader indicate how the wage gap will be narrowed within the Council when senior officers pay is boosted by market supplement payments in excess of £10,000?”

The Leader replied:

 “I would like to appeal to Councillor Warters' better nature and ask him, if  the council pays less than most other councils in key posts such as in the area of child protection and we have nationally recognised staff being approached for jobs in other authorities for significantly larger amounts of pay, what would he do? Would he maintain the status quo? Let good staff leave? Spend money on recruitment? Struggle to recruit at current pay levels? And then pay someone else more money whom isn’t as good? As much as we all might find a market rate supplement difficult I do appeal for Members on all sides of the council to see the bigger picture.”

(iii)        From Cllr Reid

“Could the Cabinet Leader provide the figures to support the claim that there has been a reduction of 40% in the number of children living in workless households?”

The Leader replied:

 “Yes. When Labour won control of the council in May 2011 the number of children in workless households was 3,300. Latest figures show this has reduced to 2,000. These figures were released by the ONS in early September.”

(iv)        From Cllr Ayre

“Has the council made compliance with the living wage a requirement of all services currently being outsourced?”

The Leader replied:

 “The Living Wage will be included in our procurement process by April next year. We will be one of the first councils in the country to comply with this. It is a great Labour achievement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To receive a report from Councillor Galvin, the Chair of the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee (CSMC) on the work of CSMC.

Council received the report of the Chair of the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee at pages 67 to 69, on the work of the Committee.

Councillor Galvin then moved and Cllr Runciman seconded acceptance of the report and it was

Resolved:                     That the scrutiny report be received and noted.

To receive a written report from the Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance & Customer Services, and to question the Cabinet Member thereon, provided any such questions are registered in accordance with the timescales and procedures set out in Standing Order 8.2.1.

Council received a written report from Cllr Williams, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Customer Services.

Notice had been received of twelve questions on the report, submitted by Members in accordance with Standing Orders. The first five questions were put and answered as follows and Members agreed to receive written answers to their remaining questions, as set out below:

(i)           From Cllr Ayre

“What business case was produced to avoid duplicating ICT provision already provided by private operators?”

Cabinet Member replied:

“As the report to cabinet  makes clear individual cases will be subject to detailed review as and when they are considered. As regards duplicating other provision, if the council is to be able to respond to the severe financial reductions we have to look at generating additional income, and I see no reasons in principle as to why we should be overtly avoiding competition in a free market.” 

(ii)         From Cllr Gillies

“In light of Cllr. Williams comments on ensuring the continued financial health of the organisation can he inform Council of the amount of loan interest paid by the Authority in each of the last two financial years and the budgeted cost for the current and next financial years?”

Cabinet Member replied:

Answered in the meeting.

(iii)        From Cllr Cuthbertson

The Cabinet Member claims that the move to West Offices was completed “on budget”. A response to an FOI request earlier in the year suggested that the move cost £200,000 more than the original budget. Which is right?

Cabinet Member replied:

“The scheme overall was delivered in budget, as has been reported to cabinet in the capital monitor.”

An answer to a supplementary is being sent separately.

(iv)       From Cllr Healey

“Regarding the Budget and specifically the first quarter monitor, please detail the amounts of monies that are ‘un-achieved’ and ‘unachievable’ in the Q1 2013 monitor?”

 Cabinet Member replied:

Answered in the meeting.

(v)         From Cllr Runciman

“Could the Cabinet Member reveal how much the EPH (Elderly People’s Homes) programme will cost, what the original budget was, and how the £800,000 assumed savings in the 2013-15 budgets will be met?”

Cabinet Member replied:

“Like other questions, the broad details have already been reported to cabinet. The most recent cabinet report on this issue identified that the costs could be in the region of £25-30m. It also set out that a detailed procurement process needed to be undertaken to determine the actual costs, and associated revenue. This process is underway and again it would not be wise for me to reveal any further information until this process is concluded.” 

(vi)       From Cllr Gillies

“Again, in light of Cllr. Williams comments on ensuring the continued financial health of the organisation can he inform Council of the cost of salary increments in the last two financial years, and the estimated cost in the current and next financial years?”

 Reply:

In 2011/12 it was £1.8m,  2012/13 £0.8m, this year there is a budget provision made for £350,000,  and in 2014/15  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To consider the following recommendations for approval from the Joint Standards Committee:

As Chair of the Joint Standards Committee, Cllr Runciman moved and Cllr Horton seconded, the following recommendation contained in Minute 20 of the meeting of that Committee held on 11 September 2013:

Planning Code of Good Practice

[That Council] be recommended to approve the revised Planning Code of Good Practice.

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was declared CARRIED and it was

Resolved:           That the above recommendation of the Joint Standards Committee meeting held on 11 September 2013 be approved. ^1&2.

To consider the following recommendation for approval from the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee:

As Chair of the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee, Cllr Galvin moved and Cllr Runciman seconded, the following recommendation contained in Minute 21 of the meeting of that Committee held on 9 September 2013:

Draft Annual Overview and Scrutiny Committee Report for 2012/13

                               [That Council] endorse the Annual Overview and Scrutiny Report, covering the period June 2012 and May 2013.

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was declared CARRIED and it was

Resolved:           That the above recommendation of the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee meeting held on 9 September 2013 be approved.

To consider the following recommendations for approval from the Staffing Matters and Urgency Committee:

As Chair of the Staffing Matters and Urgency Committee, Cllr Alexander moved and Cllr Williams seconded, the following recommendations contained in Minute 25 of the meeting of that Committee held on 5 August 2013:

Changes To The Terms And Conditions Of Chief Officers

 [That Council ] approve a market supplement policy for Chief Officers for agreement and implementation as set out in the report.

 A named vote was then requested and taken on the recommendation, with the following result:

The above recommendation was declared CARRIED.

Resolved:           That the above recommendation in respect of a market supplement policy for Chief Officers be approved. ^1.

To consider a report which asks Council to agree a remuneration package for the post of Director of Education, Skills & Children’s Services in line with the Council’s Pay Policy, to include a market supplement. Council is also requested to agree the establishment of an Appointments Committee, authorised to conduct the final interviews, select a successful candidate and make an offer of employment subject to the necessary employment procedures.

Cllr Alexander, as Cabinet Leader, presented a written report in relation to the remuneration package for the post of Director of Education, Skills and Children’s Services and the establishment of an Appointments Committee authorised to conduct the final interviews.

Cllr Alexander then moved a motion to approve the appointment process and remuneration package, which was seconded by Cllr Looker.

Resolved:           That the motion in respect of the appointment process and remuneration package be approved. ^1.

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://democracy.york.gov.uk/mgListOutsideBodies.aspx?bcr=1

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

·        Fire Authority – 26 June 2013

·        Safer York Partnerships – 5 August 2013

·        Quality Bus Partnerships – 23 May 2013

·        Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation – 28 June 2013

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 had been made available for Members to view on the Council’s website:

·        Fire Authority – 26 June 2013

·        Safer York Partnerships – 5 August 2013

·        Quality Bus Partnerships – 23 May 2013

·        Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation – 28 June 2013

Notice had been received of one question in respect of the minutes, submitted by a Member in accordance with Standing Orders:

i)             To Cllr Merrett as one of the appointed Council representatives on the Quality Bus Partnership

From Cllr D’Agorne:

“In the minutes of the last full council it states that ‘The March minutes have not been approved as the partnership is possibly being disbanded’ yet the ‘Meeting note’ of May 23^rd makes no reference to the previous minutes nor to the future of the Partnership. If fact no decisions are minuted. Can he please explain what is happening?”

Cllr Merrett replied:

“Can I remind Councillor d’Agorne of the report I agreed reviewing the current Quality Bus partnership which we inherited and which was widely recognised as not fit for purpose. As a result of that report and the consequent discussions with York bus operators there was a gap in meetings while we worked to agree at last month’s QBP meeting important changes that will make the partnership more businesslike. That work has allowed us to successfully bid for Better Bus Area status as announced earlier today. We will shortly be moving to a new tripartite structure of a reformed strategic partnership board with lead bus operator representation, an operational executive, and a partnership forum which will ensure continued involvement of all the current QBP participants.”

To consider the following Notices of Motion under Standing Order 12:

A – Motions referred from the Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 12.1(a)

None

B – Motions submitted for consideration directly by Council, in accordance with Standing Order 12.1(b)

(i)        From Cllr Fraser

“Council recognises the current challenging economic climate all businesses in York and elsewhere are facing, and notes the particular challenges for small and medium-sized businesses in the city, particularly in ‘secondary’ streets such as Micklegate, Gillygate, Goodramgate and Fossgate/Walmgate.

Council further recognises the contribution that small, medium-sized and distinctive businesses, and community resources, such as community centres, churches, heritage sites etc. contribute to the attractiveness of York and to our local economy.

Council therefore resolves:

1.   to better co-ordinate and support the efforts of the associations of the businesses and community organisations, such as the Micklegate Quarter, the Minster Quarter, Acomb Team and BishyRoad.com;

2.   to highlight the efforts of such associations in the wider communications and publicity of the Council;

3.   to develop a coherent strategy to support these efforts for consideration by Elected Members.”

(ii)          From Cllr Gillies

Council notes:

That England is now widely recognised to be the country with the most centralised system of government in Europe;

That devolution has brought decisions about tax and spending and the quality of public services closer to voters in Scotland and Wales, while English voters have not gained comparably greater influence over decision making that affects their taxes and services;

Council believes:

That the likely scale of change in how public services are funded and provided makes it democratically unsustainable for those changes to be decided within the existing over-centralised model;

That services need to be reformed and integrated across local agencies to enable them to prevent problems rather than picking up the pieces;

That York voters should be given a meaningful say on a wider range of tax and spending decisions, through place-based budgetary arrangements, the abolition of the discredited Barnett formula and the restatement of fair financial distribution agreed among English councils, the re-creation of a municipal bond market, and the certainty of multi year funding settlements for the life of a Parliament;

That central government should enable local decision making by joining up and reducing in size Whitehall departments in order to facilitate local place-based budgets, by reducing Ministers’ powers to intervene in local decisions;

That such a new more mature settlement between central and local government should be put beyond future revision by giving formal constitutional protection to local democracy; therefore

Council Resolves To;

1a.    Support the Local Government Association “Re-Wiring Public Services” campaign, in order to give York residents real reasons to participate in local decision making.

1b.    Invite York Members of Parliament to join with City of York Councillors in supporting the campaign, and to ensure the Secretary of State is made aware of this Council’s support for the campaign.

2.      To make CYC’s position clear to the Secretary of State.

(iii)        From Cllr  ...  view the full agenda text for item 44.

(i)        Challenges for Businesses in the City (proposed by Cllr Fraser)

“Council recognises the current challenging economic climate all businesses in York and elsewhere are facing, and notes the particular challenges for small and medium-sized businesses in the city, particularly in ‘secondary’ streets such as Micklegate, Gillygate, Goodramgate and Fossgate/Walmgate.

Council further recognises the contribution that small, medium-sized and distinctive businesses, and community resources, such as community centres, churches, heritage sites etc. contribute to the attractiveness of York and to our local economy.

Council therefore resolves:

1.   to better co-ordinate and support the efforts of the associations of the businesses and community organisations, such as the Micklegate Quarter, the Minster Quarter, Acomb Team and BishyRoad.com;

2.   to highlight the efforts of such associations in the wider communications and publicity of the Council;

3.   to develop a coherent strategy to support these efforts for consideration by Elected Members.”

First amendment proposed by Councillor D’Agorne and seconded by Councillor Taylor as follows:

“In the second paragraph, final line, after the words ‘and to’ insert the words ‘the resilience of’.

Insert additional final resolution as follows:

4. to ensure that the needs of small and medium sized businesses are strongly reflected in the economic strategy and local plan for York.

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared CARRIED.

The motion, as amended, now reads as follows:

“Council recognises the current challenging economic climate all businesses in York and elsewhere are facing, and notes the particular challenges for small and medium-sized businesses in the city, particularly in ‘secondary’ streets such as Micklegate, Gillygate, Goodramgate and Fossgate/Walmgate.

Council further recognises the contribution that small, medium-sized and distinctive businesses, and community resources, such as community centres, churches, heritage sites etc. contribute to the attractiveness of York and to the resilience of our local economy.

Council therefore resolves:

1.   to better co-ordinate and support the efforts of the associations of the businesses and community organisations, such as the Micklegate Quarter, the Minster Quarter, Acomb Team and BishyRoad.com;

2.   to highlight the efforts of such associations in the wider communications and publicity of the Council;

3.   to develop a coherent strategy to support these efforts for consideration by Elected Members.

4.   to ensure that the needs of small and medium sized businesses are strongly reflected in the economic strategy and local plan for York.”

Second amendment proposed by Councillor Aspden as follows:

“Insert new second paragraph as follows:

“Council welcomes the turnaround from Cabinet which, having originally voted down a Liberal Democrat amendment on working with Acomb traders in December, is now engaging with the local traders association, Acomb Alive!”

The amendment was declared LOST.

On being put to the vote, the motion, as amended  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

To deal with the following questions to the Cabinet Leader and / or other Cabinet Members, in accordance with Standing Order 11.3(a):

(i)        To the Cabinet Leader from Cllr D’Agorne:

“The Living Wage – how many other organisations in the City of York have now signed up to support this initiative by applying it to their own workforce?”

(ii)      To the Cabinet Leader from Cllr Aspden:

“What are the daily results for the city-centre footfall cameras (Parliament Street and Coney Street) since the beginning of August and how do they compare to the same period last year?”

(iii)     To the Cabinet Leader from Cllr Ayre:

“Could the Cabinet Leader name the areas in the city that have 'free' Wi-Fi funded by City of York Council, how much did this cost by hotspot in the last financial year and this financial year, what is the future roll out programme plan and forecast costs, and what attempts have been made to attract sponsorship?”

(iv)    To the Cabinet Leader from Cllr Ayre:

“Has any contract been awarded to webcast council meetings and, if so, how and when was this decision was taken?”

(v)      To the Deputy Leader (in relation to her Civic & Democratic Services portfolio)from Cllr Ayre:

“Could the Deputy Leader list by name, date and destination the official foreign trips council members have been on so far this financial year and the foreign trips planned or in the pipeline for members in the remainder of the financial year, whilst, also outlining  what procedures and reporting requirements are in place to authorise and monitor the value and outcomes from these trips?”

(vi)    To the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services from Cllr D’Agorne:

“Weed removal from streets is noticeably lacking this year – can you explain to residents of Danum Rd area why they have to wait until November for a Community Payback team to remove vegetation from paths and gutters?”

(vii)   To the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services from Cllr Richardson:

“Given that some residents have paid in advance the new Green Bin Tax, will Council reimburse this payment or carry the payments forward as a credit for year 14/15, given April 2014 is the start date for the Tax?”

(viii)  To the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services from Cllr Richardson:

“Residents are reporting damage or  loss of refuse bins into refuse vehicles. Will council replace the bins free of charge and implement a mandatory form of reporting loss or damage of bins by a unique numbered incident report, providing date and time and will council also mark all replaced bins with a unique I.D number?”

(ix)    To the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services from Cllr D’Agorne:

“What work is being undertaken to look at ‘plan B’ alternative to the costly incinerator project that is no longer viable due to the withdrawal of the £65m of PFI loan?”

(x)      To the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services from  ...  view the full agenda text for item 45.

Forty three questions had been submitted to the Cabinet Leader and Cabinet Members under Standing Order 11.3(a). The guillotine having fallen at this point, Members agreed to receive written answers to their questions, as set out below:

(i)     To the Cabinet Leader from Cllr D’Agorne:

“The Living Wage – how many other organisations in the City of York have now signed up to support this initiative by applying it to their own workforce?”

“Quite a number of large organisations have and we will continue to encourage others to sign up so that fair pay is recognised as a key part of the city’s economic identity.

Employers that have announced a commitment to paying the Living Wage and have done so are:

• CYC
• Aviva
• JRF & JRHT
• York CAB
• York Council for Voluntary Service
• York St John University

·         Leeds & York NHS Foundation Trust

·         Nestle UK

• York Teaching Hospital
• North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue
• North Yorkshire Police
• York and North Yorkshire Probation Trust

This list does not include those employers who already paid the Living Wage so had no need to implement it.

Members may have seen the good news that the community-run Golden Ball public house has just indicated it will also pay the Living Wage, so I hope many other businesses of all sizes will follow suit.”

(ii)      To the Cabinet Leader from Cllr Aspden:

“What are the daily results for the city-centre footfall cameras (Parliament Street and Coney Street) since the beginning of August and how do they compare to the same period last year?”

I can go one better and give Coun. Aspden footfall data going back to 2009 and 2007 respectively. What this shows is the long term trend of declining footfall as online shopping competes against the high street for consumer sales. This is happening across the country as the nature of our high streets is challenged.

Parliament Street: 2009 to 2013

Coney Street: 2007 to 2013

Despite this national trend it is pleasing that York has the second lowest rate of shop vacancies in the country.

The arrival of Hiscox in the city, Primark confirming its intention to move into the city centre, the progress being made on the former White Swan hotel and on Piccadilly more generally shows that there is confidence in the city centre as a place to invest and this can only help with footfall.

This can be very easily be contrasted with eight years of Liberal Democrat inaction.

I know Coun. Aspden will argue that the Lendal Bridge trial is responsible for a decline in footfall in the city centre rather than accepting that a national trend is responsible. On the day the trial began Parliament Street saw its second best footfall figures this year. If the Liberal Democrats are against the Lendal bridge trial they should do the honest thing and tell the public this is their position. So far we just have carping at the margins about hours, duration, time of the year and signage.”

(iii)     To the Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.