Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Guildhall, York. View directions

Contact: Fiona Young  Interim Democratic Services Manager

Items
No. Item

1.

Declarations of Interest (6:36 pm)

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests.

 

Minutes:

Members were asked to declare at this point in the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on the agenda, if they had not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests.  No interests were declared.

 

 

2.

Minutes (6:37 pm) pdf icon PDF 206 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the Ordinary and Extraordinary Council meetings held on 27 April 2022, and of the Annual Council meeting held on 26 May 2022.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Extraordinary and Ordinary meetings of Council held on 27 April 2022 and the Annual Council meeting held on 26 May 2022 be approved, and signed by the Chair as a correct record in each case.

3.

Civic Announcements (6:39 pm)

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

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor made reference to the recent death of the broadcaster Harry Gration, who had been a resident of York and attended school in the city.  Members observed a minute’s silence in his memory.

 

The Lord Mayor went on to announce:

·        The receipt of a gift of a paperweight from the Mayor of Thessalonika, which was available to view in the meeting room;

·        The renewal of the York Armed Forces Covenant;

·        The departure of the Monitoring Officer, Janie Berry, next month.  He thanked Janie for her work with the Council since her arrival in 2018.

 

At a later point in the meeting, the Lord Mayor announced the imminent retirement of Charlie Croft, Assistant Director of Customer and Communities, after 26 years’ service with the council. He invited Members to join with him in thanking Charlie for his achievements and wished him well for the future.

 

4.

Public Participation (6:41 pm)

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 Tuesday, 12 July 2022.

 

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. Contact details can be found at the foot of this agenda.

 

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this public meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission.  The remote public 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 at www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy for more information on meetings and decisions.

 

Minutes:

It was reported that there were 8 people registered to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme. 

 

Flick Williams spoke on Agenda Item 6 (Report of the Executive Leader), highlighting access issues in respect of the Council Chamber.

 

Fiona McCulloch spoke in support of the Declaring a Cost of Living Emergency motion at Item 8(ii), as Chief Executive of Citizens Advice York.

 

Adam Raffell also spoke in support of the Declaring a Cost of Living Emergency motion, as a representative of York Food Bank.

 

Linda Maskill spoke in support of the Stop Unfair Parking Enforcement at Tower Court motion at Item 8(iv), as a local resident affected by the parking enforcement.

 

Dave Thorp spoke on matters relevant to the Council or City, seeking a ‘letter of enthusiasm’ from the Council to support the production by Visualise Films Ltd. of a drama series set in York.

 

Stephen Howley spoke in support of the Opposing Fire Service Cuts to the North Side of York motion at Item 8(i), as leader of the Fire Brigade Union in North Yorkshire.

 

Gwen Swinburn spoke in support of the Creating a More Collaborative Council motion at Item 8(iii) and on governance issues as matters relevant to the Council or City.

 

Hon. Alderman Brian Watson spoke on the Creating a More Collaborative Council motion, broadly supporting the content of the motion.

 

 

 

5.

Petitions (7:10 pm)

To consider any petitions received from Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rule B5.  Notice has been received of 5 petitions, to be presented by:

(i)      Cllr Doughty, from residents of Stockton on the Forest and Hopgrove seeking a number of road safety improvements in their area. 

(ii)      Cllr Doughty, from residents of Earswick, calling for resurfacing of ‘The Village’ in Earswick.

(iii)     Cllr Perrett, from residents of Huntington Road Area, seeking consultation on the introduction of a Respark zone in their street.

(iv)    Cllr Webb, from residents of Dodsworth Avenue, seeking consultation on the introduction of a Respark zone in their street,

(v)     Cllr Douglas, from residents of Harcourt Street Area, asking the council to investigate options to create a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in their area.

 

Minutes:

Under Standing Order 15, the following petitions were presented for reference to the Customer and Corporate Services Scrutiny Management Committee, in accordance with the Council’s petition arrangements:

a)      A petition from Cllr Doughty, on behalf of residents of Stockton on the Forest and Hopgrove seeking a number of road safety improvements in their area.

 

b)      A petition from Cllr Doughty, on behalf of from residents of Earswick calling for resurfacing of ‘The Village’ in Earswick.

 

c)      A petition from Cllr Perrett, on behalf of residents of Huntington Road Area, seeking consultation on the introduction of a Respark zone in their street.

 

d)      A petition from Cllr Webb, on behalf of residents of Dodsworth Avenue, seeking consultation on the introduction of a Respark zone in their street.

 

e)      A petition from Cllr Douglas, on behalf of residents of Harcourt Street Area, asking the council to investigate options to create a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in their area.

6.

Report of Executive Leader, Questions, and Executive Recommendations (7:15 pm) pdf icon PDF 396 KB

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

 

Meeting

Date

Recommendations

 

Executive

 

 

 

16 June 2022

 

 

Minute 13:Capital Programme Outturn 2021/22 and Revisions to the 2022/23 - 2026/27 Programme

13.        https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=733&MId=13287

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A – Executive Leader’s Report

 

A written report was received from the Executive Leader, Cllr Aspden, on the work of the Executive.

 

Members were then invited to question the Leader on his report.  Questions were received from the floor from the following Members in relation to the subjects listed, and replied to as indicated:

 

Local Plan Progress

From Cllr Pavlovic: As Vice Chair of Fulford Parish Council do you disagree with the parish council’s view, as expressed at the Phase 2 hearings, that the Local Plan is illegal and unsound?

Response: Yes.

[Supplementary: Were you at any of the Fulford PC meetings when that position was being taken and did you vote against it?]

I was at some of the meetings but not all and I would either have voted against or abstained, and made it clear that although I understood the views of some other parish councillors I personally felt that getting the Plan adopted was of over-riding importance, and not doing so would risk the government taking over and bringing back a Plan that no resident wanted. 

From Cllr Warters: Are you willing to commit to fulfilling the will of Council (as per the motion approved in December 2021) and alleviating the concerns of residents by amending the policy on HMOs to reduce the accessibility threshold for HMOs in York, given the inspectors’ confirmation at the hearing this afternoon that this will not result in the collapse or delay of the Local Plan?

Response: I cannot comment on this afternoon’s hearing as I wasn’t there.  A report came to Executive following that motion which sets out the position and the way forward.  You could ask Cllr Ayre later, as he will be more sighted on the Local Plan. 

 

Health Inequalities in York

From Cllr Douglas:   The Leader will have received the briefing on health inequalities in York which stated that 40% of health differences are due to economic factors.  Can he explain why there is nothing in the economic strategy to address this, and what is to be done?  

Response: Inclusive growth is an important part of the strategy, which acknowledges this issue.  A lot of work is being done on the draft Health & Wellbeing Strategy and on creating a new York Health Place, ensuring that the strategy focuses on priorities for York and the challenges around healthy life expectancy.  The integrated care system will be a good opportunity if we can ensure that funding and decisions are at a level that matches York’s priorities. Email me outside the meeting to link in to discussions with Cllrs Runciman, Waller and Mason on this important matter.

 

Financial Support for Residents

From Cllr Fenton: Significant resources have been invested by the council; what message are we sending to government to press the case for stability in funding not just to deal with current crises but in longer term local government finances?

Response: The impact of the pandemic on council finances and services has come on the back of years  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Report of Deputy Leader and Questions (7:57 pm) pdf icon PDF 150 KB

To receive and consider a written report from the Deputy Leader and, to question the Deputy Leader thereon.

 

Minutes:

A written report was received from the Deputy Leader, Cllr D’Agorne.

 

Members were then invited to question the Deputy Leader on his report.  Questions were received from the floor from the following Members in relation to the subjects listed, and replied to as indicated:

 

Clean Air Day 2022

From Cllr Rowley: You refer in your report to air pollution causing 36,000 deaths in the UK every year.  Will you undertake an urgent review on the closure of Penlys Grove Street and Navigation Road and reverse it if it proves to be causing more pollution than before due to longer traffic waits on Lord Mayor’s Walk and Walmgate?

Response: The Groves project was subject to an extensive consultation process; an experimental TRO was in place for 18 months, during which there were significant fluctuations due to Covid, there was then a delay until the traffic pattern returned to normal.  In making my decision I followed officers’ advice, including on the issues you refer.  The purpose of the annual Clean Air Day is to raise awareness, and officers have put in place a programme of reducing emissions from buses, alongside the message to ‘switch off’ car engines outside schools and in standing traffic to reduce pollution and save on fuel costs.

[Supplementary from Cllr Looker: Have you thought of taking it a stage further and having a car-free day in 2023?]

Response: That is a good suggestion, and something I have supported in the past, especially as some streets such as Fossgate, Micklegate and Bishopthorpe Road have organised their own such activities at a low cost to the council.  Clean air is an issue that crosses portfolios, though I have mentioned it in my report because traffic is a major contributory factor.

 

Active Travel

From Cllr K Taylor: The walkway agreement between the NRM and the Highways department has been widely slammed by officials, residents and campaign groups.  As Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Transport, what are you going to do to improve the agreement and involve ward councillors and residents?

Response: I am happy to provide a written reply; I am aware of the concerns and will do whatever I can to work with partners and try to improve the agreement.

 

8.

Motions on Notice (8:39 pm)

To consider the following Motions on Notice submitted under Council Procedure Rule B13.

 

(i)           From Cllr Myers

 

Opposing Fire Service Cuts to the North side of York

 

“Council notes the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s current consultation on proposals affecting the future of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS), and its level of fire service cover across York. 

Council further notes:

  • a specific proposal to remove the full-time crewed engine from Huntington Station and replace it with an on-call crew, leading to significant increases in the time it takes for a fire engine to arrive at an incident; 
  • York residents’ current contribution of more than £5m per year in council tax precept payments to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) - almost 25% of the total raised from this source;
  • York’s businesses contribute one third of all business rate receipts that go towards funding the Fire Service, adding a further £1m from our city to the regional fire service budget;  
  • NYFRS receives the 11th lowest level of funding from council tax revenues of January 2022, placing it just above the eight lowest charging fire authorities nationally to whom the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has awarded the £5 precept flexibility - before a referendum is triggered.

Council resolves:

  • to formally oppose cuts to Huntington Station fire cover by submitting a City of York Council consultation response, outlining the city’s view that current crewing and fire appliance arrangements at Huntington Station must be retained; 
  • to have that draft response published for public comment and decision at an Executive Member Decision Session prior to the consultation deadline of 14th August;

Council further resolves to write to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and MPs for York Central and York Outer, asking them to collectively write and seek an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to:

·        make NYFRS’s case for greater Government grant that address the unique challenges of delivering services across a large rural county, with diverse risks and very low levels of reserves;

·         push for NYFRS to be given the option of agreeing the £5 precept flexibility, consistent with the other lowest charging fire authorities nationally.”

 

(ii)      From Cllr Hook

 

Declaring a Cost of Living Emergency

 

“Council notes that:

·         There has been an unprecedented increase in the cost of living, which is having a significant impact on working people, pensioners, and those on benefits.

·         This is in part caused by the rise in the Ofgem energy price cap, the National Insurance contributions increase, food and petrol/diesel price increases, rising inflation and wage growth stagnation.

·         According to a report by the Resolution Foundation, people are facing the worst fall in living standards since the 1970s.

·         According to data from the ONS, a typical household will have to spend an extra £1,287 due to rising cost of essentials and tax in 2022/-23.

·         In 2021/22 York Foodbanks distributed food parcels at a rate of 5,545 per 100,000 people –  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

(i)      Opposing Fire Service Cuts to the North side of York

 

Cllr Myers sought consent to alter his motion to incorporate the amendment submitted by Cllr Hollyer.

 

Council having granted consent, the altered motion was moved by Cllr Myers and seconded by Cllr Wells, as follows:

 

“Council notes the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s current consultation on proposals affecting the future of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS), and its level of fire service cover across York. 

Council further notes:

  • a specific proposal to remove the full-time crewed engine from Huntington Station and replace it with an on-call crew, leading to significant increases in the time it takes for a fire engine to arrive at an incident; 
  • York residents’ current contribution of more than £5m per year in council tax precept payments to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) - almost 25% of the total raised from this source;
  • York’s businesses contribute one third of all business rate receipts that go towards funding the Fire Service, adding a further £1m from our city to the regional fire service budget;  
  • NYFRS receives the 11th lowest level of funding from council tax revenues of January 2022, placing it just above the eight lowest charging fire authorities nationally to whom the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has awarded the £5 precept flexibility - before a referendum is triggered.
  • consecutive governments have left North Yorkshire fire and rescue service in a dangerous financial position having abolished the entirety of its capital funding and seen over £1.8m in annual funding cuts for fire and rescue services in North Yorkshire since 2016.
  • a petition, set up by Liberal Democrat councillors in the North of York, calling for the proposals to be rejected has collected over 1000 signatures from local residents.
  • ongoing ‘Fair Deal for York’s Fire Services’ campaign led by Liberal Democrat councillors, which has been previously endorsed by the Council.
  • Liberal Democrat councillors from Huntington, Haxby, Wigginton, Strensall, New Earswick and Rawcliffe, have met representatives of the Fire Brigade Union as well as the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to express their serious concerns over the proposals.

Council resolves:

  • to formally oppose cuts to Huntington Station fire cover by submitting a City of York Council consultation response, outlining the city’s view that current crewing and fire appliance arrangements at Huntington Station must be retained; 
  • to have that draft response published for public comment and decision at an Executive Member Decision Session prior to the consultation deadline of 14th August;

Council further resolves to write to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and MPs for York Central and York Outer, asking them to collectively write and seek an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to:

·        carry out a comprehensive funding review of fire and police services in North Yorkshire, in order to futureproof sustainable service provision;

·        make NYFRS’s case for greater Government grant that address the unique challenges of delivering services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Questions to the Leader or Executive Members (10:16 pm)

To question the Leader and/or Executive Members in respect of any matter within their portfolio responsibility, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule B11.

Minutes:

Question to Cllr Waller, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Education

From Cllr Webb: There has been a long decline in service standards after 6 years of Lib Dem administration.  What will you do to arrest the problems caused by a constant change in leadership, especially by the creation and dissolution of a People Directorate?

Response: At the scrutiny meeting you attended, a detailed action plan was presented, building on work already in progress.  A key aspect is the pace of change and we’ve changed the composition of the Corporate Parenting Board so that young people are included.  The arrival of a new Director next week will assist the process.  Scrutiny raised no issues with the actions or time frame, and I am working with officers to ensure the timetable is kept to.

 

Question to Cllr Widdowson, Executive Member for Environment & Climate Change

From Cllr Warters: Will you apologise to the people of York for the state of the streets and in particular the grass cutting, which is actually undermining the pollination policy by cutting down wildflower areas?

Response: There has been a massive problem in recruiting people this year and the [grass on] verges has got much longerthan it should have. Apologies have been communicated for the lateness of the first cuts.  One area containing wildflowers was cut, by a new person working overtime who thought they were doing the right thing.  A new training process is in place, and everyone is working hard to ensure the city looks as well as it can. 

 

Question to Cllr D’Agorne, Executive Member for Transport

From Cllr Crawshaw: With reference to your earlier response to Cllr Looker, canyou confirm whether there will be an exemption for Blue Badge holders if the car-free day goes ahead in 2023?

Response: I said that there are such events in some streets, such as Bishopthorpe Road.  Provision is made for all to attend these, including Blue Badge holders.

 

Question to Cllr Runciman, Executive Member for Health & Adult Social Care

From Cllr Waudby: Can you give an update on how the health trainer service supports residents?

Response: We are celebrating the first year with our health trainers.  They have spoken to and advised 400 people on how to stop smoking, and 200 people on how to eat healthily and manage their weight.  They can also provide advice and support on reducing alcohol intake – there’s a particular problem in York with drinking at home.  It’s a great service, personalised and easy to sign up to online.

 

Question to Cllr Craghill, Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods

From Cllr Perrett: The boilers in some homes in Heworth Ward are too big for the residents’ needs. Will you commit to looking into replacing these separately from the council house retrofit programme, as it is a unique problem?

Response:   This does sound like a unique problem.  I don’t know the details but I am certainly prepared to look into it and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Report of Executive Member (10:30 pm) pdf icon PDF 2 MB

To receive a written report from the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Communities, and to question the Executive Member thereon, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule B10.

Minutes:

A written report was received from Cllr Smalley, the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Communities.

 

11.

Joint Standards Committee Annual report for 2021/2022 (8:08 pm) pdf icon PDF 361 KB

To receive a report of the Monitoring Officer presenting the Annual Report of the Joint Standards Committee for the 2021/2022 Municipal Year.

Minutes:

Cllr Rowley as Chair of Joint Standards Committee moved, Cllr Fisher seconded, and Council 

 

Resolved:  That the Joint Standards Committee Annual Report for 2021/2022 be received.

12.

Amendments to the Council's Constitution (8:11 pm) pdf icon PDF 550 KB

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer seeking approval for amendments to Articles 12, 15, 18 and 20 of the Constitution.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Aspden moved, and Cllr D’Agorne seconded, the following recommendations contained in the report of the Monitoring Officer at page 95 of the agenda papers:

“Full Council is invited to approve the amendments to the Council’s constitution as follows:

1)   To approve the amendments made to Article 12 – Shareholders Committee;

2)   To approve the amendments made to Article 20 – Corporate Parenting;

3)   To approve the amendments made to Article 15 – Corporate Appeals;

4)   To approve the amendments made to Article 18 - Health and Wellbeing Board;

5)   To approve the appointment of the Main Opposition Group Shadow Lead Members for both Children and Adults to the Corporate Parenting Board;

6)   To instruct the Monitoring Officer to ensure the Council’s Constitution is updated in accordance with the recommendations of Full Council.

Full Council is asked to note:

The Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee has been consulted in respect of the updating amendments to the Constitution and that this report will be retrospectively report to the next meeting of the Audit & Governance Committee. 

 

Reason:     These amendments will ensure that the Constitution remains up to date and fit for purpose to support the council’s decision making framework.”

 

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

 

Resolved:  That the above recommendations be approved.1

 

13.

Appointment of Independent Member to the Audit & Governance Committee and Appointment of Independent Persons to the Joint Standards Committee (8:12 pm) pdf icon PDF 270 KB

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer seeking confirmation of the above proposed appointments.

Minutes:

Cllr Lomas moved, and Cllr Fisher seconded, the following recommendations contained in the report of the Monitoring Officer at page 125 of the agenda papers:

 

“Full Council is invited to approve the amendments to the Council’s constitution as follows:

1)   To confirm the appointment of Mr Richard Gadd and Mr Joe Leigh as Independent Persons on the Joint Standards Committee;

2)   To confirm the appointment of Mr Joe Leigh as an Independent Member on the Audit & Governance Committee.

 

Reason:     These appointments will support the council’s governance framework including the ethical governance framework.”

 

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

 

Resolved:  That the above recommendations be approved.1

 

 

 

14.

Appointments and Changes to Membership (10:31 pm) pdf icon PDF 5 KB

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

Minutes:

Resolved:  That the appointments and changes to membership on the list at page 129 of the agenda papers be approved.1

 

 

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