Agenda and draft minutes

The Lord Mayor welcomed all in attendance to the November Council meeting.

It was advised that there was to be a minor change to the agenda running order. Agenda item 13, Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report was to be brought forward and considered after agenda item 5, Public Participation.

To receive and note apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Smalley, Wann, Warters and Waudby.

At this point in the meeting, Members and co-opted 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. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

(Please see the attached sheet for further guidance for Members.)

A declaration of interest was made at a later point in the meeting. (Minute No. 62 refers)

To approve and sign the minutes of the Council meeting on 18 September 2025 and the Extraordinary Council meeting on 16 October 2025.

Councillor Steward, reported that at the September Council meeting a motion in relation to the S106 process had been submitted by the Conservative Group, amended by the Labour Group and approved by Council. The Conservative Group objected to the removal of consultation with members, which it was reported had reflected officer advice. It was understood that there had since been some clarification on this advice, and it was hoped that this key aspect in relation to consulting with members could be reintroduced.

The Executive Member, Councillor Pavlovic, advised that having sought advice, members could be consulted on S106 proposals where there was discretion on how funding could be allocated. Whilst not wishing to amend past motions and amendments, the Executive Member was happy to ensure a suitable way forward that enabled consultation with members to take place.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 September 2025 and the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 16 October 2025 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 reported that following consideration of the points allocation at the Executive meeting on 4 November 2025, the Lord Mayor for the 2026/27 municipal year had been allocated to the Labour Group. The Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Douglas, reported that Councillor Wells had been nominated to serve as Lord Mayor in 2026/27. Councillor Wells was invited to comment and stated that it was a huge honour. She looked forward to championing and highlighting the work of all the unsung heroes as well as celebrating the work of the many volunteers in York.

The Lord Mayor highlighted the positive difference made by volunteers and residents who did extraordinary things for their communities. Linked to this, a Lord Mayor’s Commendation Scheme was to be introduced to recognise the very best of ordinary and extraordinary individuals and groups in local communities. Further information was to follow in due course.

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, 4 November 2025.

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 then 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.

It was reported that there had been eight registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Gwen Swinburn spoke in relation to general governance matters within the remit of the Council. She expressed concern about having been denied a public speaking opportunity at the Extraordinary Council Meeting to appoint a new City of York Council (CYC) Chief Executive. That the Statutory Officer had altered the public participation protocol in the Council’s Constitution. She welcomed the appointment of the new CYC Chief Executive from North Yorkshire Council. That North Yorkshire Council was a beacon of good governance in many ways.

Flick Williams spoke remotely in relation to agenda item 7, Report of the Leader of the Council, and agenda item 14.1, Motions on Notice – Access to Transport for All. In relation to Dial-a-Ride, it was considered a travesty that there were continued delays after 22 months. That since its demise, changes to eligibility for hospital patient transport meant that people were declining medical appointments because they had no means of getting to them.

In relation to concessionary bus passes for disabled people there was agreement with the issues identified by the Liberal Democrat motion. That the cost was relatively low as it affected less than 10% of concessionary passes and did not affect holders of blind persons passes as these were already valid at any time of day. That bus operators should properly train their drivers because many were not aware, and visually impaired people were regularly challenged if they tried to use their pass before 9.00 a.m.

Another local anomaly was that concessionary passholders who boarded a bus at a park and ride site did not enjoy free travel between the specified times, merely a discounted ticket. There was disappointment that this was missing from the motion. That with the demise of the Bus Enhanced Partnership, individuals had lost the ability to raise issues such as these affecting disabled bus users and the promise of monthly reports on the tracker created by the Bus Accessibility Task and Finish Group was also lost.

Ben French spoke in relation to agenda item 14.2, Motions on Notice – Tackling Pollution in York’s Rivers. He spoke as a representative of York Green Party in support of the Labour Group motion proposed by Councillor Kent. He highlighted the need for a modern and fit for-purpose drainage system and proper pollution reduction. He also highlighted support for the Conservative Group amendment proposed by Councillor Steward in relation to locally driven action on pollution in rivers. That it was right to listen to partners and officers for direct practical solutions. There was a need for York's leaders and wider regional leaders to keep holding corporate bosses to account because ultimately taxpayers paid the price with the water system when things went wrong.

Christopher Copland spoke in relation to agenda item 14.2, Motions on Notice – Tackling Pollution in York’s Rivers. He spoke as a representative of York Friends of the Earth Group.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Children and Education presenting the Corporate Parenting Annual Report for 2024/25.

The Corporate Director of Children and Education submitted a report which presented the Corporate Parenting Annual Report for 2024/25.

Having been moved by Councillor Webb and seconded by Councillor Steels-Walshaw, Councillor Webb, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education then introduced the report. Members were reminded that November was Care Leavers month. That over the course of the last year sub-groups had been introduced in relation to housing, health and education. These were attended by children, young people and care leavers as well as relevant officers.

Care was now treated as a protected characteristic. Work had been undertaken with care leavers to co-produce what the key areas of focus should be. And there was now an improved offer for foster carers in York. In addition, an employment and opportunities broker had been employed to support care leavers into jobs.

Lauren, Co-Chair of Corporate Parenting Board was then invited to present her update to Council. Lauren was keen to emphasise the importance of the relationship and collaboration between young people and corporate parents.

Lauren explained that as a care experienced young person and Co-Chair of Corporate Parenting Board, it was about how the city cared for children and young people when they needed it the most. Over the past year work had been undertaken to ensure that young people's voices were not just heard but truly listened to. The Board was now co-chaired by care experienced young people alongside Councillor Webb, Executive Member for Children Young People and Education, which had made decisions grounded in real experience and lived insight.

In total, more than 50 young people had shared their views this year and their feedback had influenced key areas such as foster carer recruitment and training, mental health support, housing, and a new leaving care offer. The ‘mind your language’ campaign had also been launched because how people talked about care experienced young people really mattered. The words that were used shaped attitudes and the attitudes shaped opportunities.

The shift in awareness had encouraged professionals across the city to think differently, to see potential not pity, strength and not stigma. The partnership between young people and the Council had become more than consultation. It was collaboration. Together, services had been redesigned to reflect what young people needed. From creating new fostering recruitment videos to co-producing housing pathways and mental health initiatives, work was rooted in shared purpose and accountability. It was also about aspirations. Every child in care deserved to dream big. To believe that university, apprenticeships, stable homes, and strong relationships were within reach.

Corporate parenting was one of the most important responsibilities the council held. When a child came into care, the council became their corporate parents. This meant shared responsibility for well-being, education, housing, health, and the future. It was not just a role for social workers or children services. Every decision had the power to open doors, create opportunities, and change lives.

November was Care Leaver’s month, a time to recognise the achievements of care  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

To consider any petitions received from Members in accordance with Standing Order B5. 

No petitions were received on this occasion.

There were no petitions to consider on this occasion.

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council and Executive providing an updating on key activity since the last Council meeting.

A report from the Leader of the Council and Executive was submitted which provided an update on key activity since the last Council meeting.

(The meeting then adjourned for a short break at 7.35pm and reconvened at 7.45pm)

To ask questions of the Leader and/or Executive Members in respect of any matter within their portfolio responsibility, in accordance with Standing Order B8.

The Lord Mayor invited members to ask questions of the Leader of the Council and Executive in relation to matters within their portfolio responsibility.

Details of questions and subsequent responses were provided as follows:

Councillor Whitcroft

Please could the Executive Member outline how changes to ResPark would help residents in my ward get the resident parking that they need and what the new process was going to do as an improvement to the old scheme?

Response

The Executive Member for Transport reported that the ResPark process had been somewhat unwieldy resulting in communities

sometimes waiting years for their application to be processed. That there was a double consultation process, but residents felt as though they had been consulted twice and led to many residents not realising when they had to respond to the final consultation.

The changes streamlined the process and the way that ResPark was dealt with. Previously, officers would only recommend implementing ResPark if more than 50% of the residents in the area responded and more than 50% of the residents were in support. And in areas where there were large numbers of rental properties, then this often resulted in a very low response rate and that led to residents just being caught in a loop of being unable to process a ResPark application for their area. That threshold had been removed for officers to move things forward. There had also been a change to the first consultation stage so that communities were given the opportunity to shape how the public highway was used. Residents were to be asked to estimate how many parking spaces they might need and to consider what other ways they might like to see the highway being used, such as cycle shelters, EV charging and more seating. This provided local communities the chance to reshape their streets for the ways that worked for them.

As part of the second stage residents and businesses had the opportunity to object. Any objections received were to be taken into consideration and mitigations put in place in the same

way that other traffic restriction orders were dealt with, such as double yellow lines. It was aligning the process with other traffic restriction orders. It was felt that the new process would result in a swift progression of applications so that a resolution was reached for communities whilst providing opportunities for communities to shape their neighbourhoods in a way that worked best for their local community.

Councillor Cullwick

Clarification was sought from the Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion, that in the original papers for the Executive meeting earlier this week it was stated that the green bin tax would rise to £52 next year, which would be a 12% increase since the charge was introduced. That paper was later withdrawn and replaced with all reference to the increase removed. So please could the Executive Member confirm whether it has been decided not to increase the green bin tax for the next  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

To receive a report from Councillor Fenton, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, on the work of Scrutiny.

An update on the latest scrutiny activity was provided by Councillor Fenton, Chair of Corporate Scrutiny Committee.

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

Resolved – That Councillor Waller be appointed substitute representative for Councillor Knight on North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel.

To receive and consider for approval the recommendations of Executive, as set out in the attached draft Part B minute. 

*Recommendations subject to approval at the Executive meeting on 4 November 2025

Recommendations of Executive arising from its meetings on 2 September, 7 October and 4 November 2025 were presented to Council and approved as follows:

Capital Programme – Monitor One 2025/2026 (Executive minute no. 135 refers)

Resolved – That the adjustments resulting in a reduction in the 2025/26 budget of £412k as detailed in the report to Executive, be approved.

Reason: To enable the effective management and monitoring of the Council’s capital programme.

Delivering More Affordable Housing in York – Update on the Housing Delivery Programme (Executive minute no. 149 refers)

Resolved – That a construction and delivery budget totalling £37.9m which includes HRA borrowing totalling up to £13.0m, be approved.

Reason: To ensure the continuation of a manageable pipeline of

sites to deliver the Housing Delivery Programme whilst making

best use of CYC assets to deliver capital receipts and social

benefits.

Capital Programme – Monitor Two 2025/26 (Executive minute no. 163 refers)

Resolved – That the adjustments resulting in a decrease in the 2025/26 budget of £17.865m as detailed in the report to Executive, be approved.

Reason: To enable the effective management and monitoring of the Council’s capital programme.

Tackling Poverty Today and Turning the Tide to Create Lasting Change – A Strategy and Strategic Action Plan for addressing Poverty in York 2025-2035

(Executive minute no. 170 refers)

Resolved – That the 10-year strategy and action plan be adopted by Full Council on behalf of the City of York.

Reason: In alignment with the Council Plan and 10-year strategies, the anti-poverty strategy and action plan, reflects the views of residents, communities, partners and Members, sets a direction of travel for the council and partners over the next 10 years to tackle poverty in York helping to support the most vulnerable in society.

To receive a report from the Director of City Development presenting the Community Infrastructure Levy for adoption*, as proposed to be modified, for implementation on 1 February 2026.

*subject to any additional comments raised at the Executive meeting on 4 November 2025.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which recommended adoption of the Community Infrastructure Levy, inclusive of the proposed modifications recommended by the Examiner.

The following annexes were included:

-       Annex A – Submitted Community Infrastructure Levy Draft Charging Schedule (July 2025)

-       Annex B – Examiner’s report including Appendix with proposed modifications schedule

-       Annex C – Equalities Impact Appraisal.

The Executive Member wished it to be placed on record her thanks to all those involved with the development and subsequent adoption of the Council’s Local Plan through to a proposal for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The CIL would bring much needed investment into the city, ensuring essential infrastructure was in place as part of future developments.

Resolved –

That Council

i)              Accepts the outcomes of the independent

Examiner’s Report (Annex B to the report), including modifications proposed by the Examiner to ensure the Community Infrastructure Levy and proposed Charging Schedule can be soundly implemented.

ii)             Adopts the Community Infrastructure Levy (Annex A to the report), as proposed to be modified (Annex B to the report), for implementation on 1 February 2026.

Reason: To allow the CIL Schedule to be legally adopted and

implemented effectively, in line with the recommendations of the

independent Examiner and national planning guidance.

iii)           Delegates authority to the Director of City Development to

review the instalment policy and make any necessary further minor editorial changes to the Charging Schedule or a change to the implementation date, if necessary.

iv)           Delegates authority to the Director for Environment and

Regulatory Services to agree publishing and necessary documentation for the introduction of CIL.

Reason: To enable timely and efficient progression of the CIL

adoption process, ensuring operational readiness, sound

implementation and regular monitoring.

v)             To note that a further report regarding the spending of CIL will be brought to a future Executive for consideration.

Reason: To allow Executive to consider how to spend the CIL

monies received.

(The meeting then adjourned at 8.45pm and reconvened at 9.00pm.)

To consider the following Motions on Notice under Standing Order B13.

1)   Access to Transport for All

To be moved by Councillor Fenton

Council notes:

·      That under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, disabled residents are entitled to free bus travel on local buses, but this is usually restricted to journeys made between 9:30am and 11:00pm on weekdays, unless local councils choose to extend the hours.

·      That City of York Council currently allows disabled people’s bus passes to be used from 9:00am, half an hour earlier than the national minimum, but that many essential appointments, employment opportunities, and educational commitments require travel to take place before this time.

·      That Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon has led a national campaign calling on the Government to remove time restrictions entirely, to allow disabled people to use their bus passes at any time of day, reflecting the principle that disability does not only occur between 9:00am and 11:00pm.

·      That York’s Dial & Ride community transport service - used by many older and disabled people - ceased operating at the end of December 2023 and that a cross-party Task & Finish Group made a number of recommendations which were approved by the Economy, Place, Access & Transport Scrutiny Committee in June 2024.

Council believes:

·      That the current time limits create unnecessary barriers for disabled residents, particularly for those needing to attend early morning medical appointments, commute to work or education.

·      That local flexibility should not mean a postcode lottery, where disabled people in some areas have full access to public transport and others do not.

·      That improving access to bus travel for disabled people supports the Council’s wider commitments to equality, inclusion, and sustainable transport.

·      That the quality of life of many older and disabled people has been adversely impacted by the absence of a replacement Dial & Ride service for the past 22 months, many of whom do not have access to a car and are unable to get to their nearest bus stop.

Council therefore resolves to:

1.    Support Tom Gordon MP’s campaign to lift national time restrictions on the use of disabled bus passes.

2.    Ask the Group Leaders to write to the Secretary of State for Transport urging the Government to amend the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme to make disabled bus passes valid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

3.    Ask the Executive Member for Transport to explore options for City of York Council to amend the local start time to earlier than 9:00am, and for officers to bring a report to the People Scrutiny Committee within 6 months, outlining cost implications and potential partnerships with local bus operators.

4.    Ask the Executive Member for Transport to meet with the Dial & Ride Task & Finish Group members as soon as possible to discuss the progress made with identifying options for a replacement service.

2)   Tackling pollution in York’s Rivers

To be moved by Councillor Kent

This Council notes:

-       that in 2023, storm overflows discharged wastewater, including untreated sewage, into the River  ...  view the full agenda text for item 62.

14.1 – Access to Transport for All

This motion was moved by Councillor Fenton and seconded by Councillor Runciman. It incorporated an amendment (as set out in the supplementary agenda pack), moved by Councillor Ravilious and seconded by Councillor Moroney.

Following a number of speakers, the motion, as amended and set out below was then put to the vote and carried.

Resolved – That with the addition and deletion of the appropriate words, the motion be amended to read as follows:

Council notes:

·      That under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, disabled residents are entitled to free bus travel on local buses, but this is usually restricted to journeys made between 9:30am and 11:00pm on weekdays, unless local councils choose to extend the hours.

·      That City of York Council currently allows disabled people’s bus passes to be used from 9:00am, half an hour earlier than the national minimum, but that many essential appointments, employment opportunities, and educational commitments require travel to take place before this time.

·      That Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon has led a national campaign calling on the Government to remove time restrictions entirely, to allow disabled people to use their bus passes at any time of day, reflecting the principle that disability does not only occur between 9:00am and 11:00pm.

·      That York’s Dial & Ride community transport service – used by many older and disabled people – ceased operating at the end of December 2023 and that a cross-party Task & Finish Group made a number of recommendations which were approved by the Economy, Place, Access & Transport Scrutiny Committee in June 2024.

·      That the Executive Member for Transport chaired a Task & Finish group on Bus Accessibility earlier this year, with valuable input from members of the disabled community, and that the outputs from this Task & Finish group are recorded and regularly updated in a bus accessibility tracker, with reports on progress being shared with the Access Forum.

Council believes:

·      That the current time limits create unnecessary barriers for disabled residents, particularly for those needing to attend early morning medical appointments, commute to work or education.

·      That local flexibility should not mean a postcode lottery, where disabled people in some areas have full access to public transport and others do not.

·      That improving access to bus travel for disabled people supports the Council’s wider commitments to equality, inclusion, and sustainable transport.

·      That the quality of life of many older and disabled people has been adversely impacted by the absence of a replacement Dial & Ride service for the past 22 months, many of whom do not have access to a car and are unable to get to their nearest bus stop.

Council therefore resolves to:

1.    Support Tom Gordon MP’s campaign to lift national time restrictions on the use of disabled bus passes.

2.    Ask the Group Leaders to write to the Secretary of State for Transport urging the Government to amend the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme to make disabled bus passes valid 24 hours a day, 7 days a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Any other business which the Chair considers urgent under the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no urgent items of business to consider.