Agenda and minutes

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

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

Cllr Scott:

·        a personal, non prejudicial interest in Motion (ii) (Local Authority Business Growth Incentive), insofar as it related to residents’ parking fees, as a resident of a Respark area;

·        a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 (Report of Executive Leader and Executive Recommendations from the meeting on 30 June), with regard to any references in Statement of Accounts to Equal Pay claims, as a solicitor specialising in Equal Pay issues.

Cllr Taylor - a personal and prejudicial interest in Motion (ii), insofar as it related to residents’ parking fees, as a resident of a Respark area.

Cllr Fraser – a personal, and possibly prejudicial, interest in Motion (ii), insofar as it related to residents’ parking fees, as a resident of a Respark area.

Cllr Blanchard – a personal interest in Motion (iii) (Local Rail Services), as a resident of Strensall.

Cllr Merrett – a personal interest in Motion (iii), as an employee of Corus Rail.

Cllr Simpson-Laing – a personal interest in Agenda Item 7, insofar as it related to the decision on the Back Park Petition (Minute 16 of the Executive meeting on 17 June), as a member of the Friends of Back Park.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 10 April 2008 and the Annual Council meeting held on 22 May 2008.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 10 April 2008 and the Annual Council meeting held on 22 May 2008 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.

There were no civic announcements.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the remit of Council may do so.  Anyone who wishes to register, or requires further information, is requested to contact the Democracy Officer for this meeting.  Contact details are listed at the foot of this agenda.  The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Friday, 27 June 2008.

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

Sam Southgate, of the National Union of Journalists, spoke in relation to the effect of redundancies on staff at the Press newspaper in York.  He informed the Council that 12% of the workforce were due to be made redundant by the end of July.  This would exacerbate the problems caused by understaffing, overwork and low pay and would undermine the capacity of the Press to support local democracy.  He urged Members to support the NUJ’s campaign for quality journalism and to make a public statement of concern if possible.

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

Under Standing Order 7, Cllr Looker presented a petition on behalf of residents of the Walmgate area, calling for measures to deal with traffic issues on Walmgate itself.

RESOLVED: That the petition be referred to the Executive or appropriate committee.¹

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

A – Motions referred from the Executive in accordance with Standing Order 11(a)(i)

None

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

(i)         From Cllr Runciman

            “Council notes that

1) Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Britain has one in five of its children living in poverty.

2) This is the second successive year that national figures have failed to improve, with the number of children living in relative poverty having risen by 100,000.

3) Child poverty has only fallen by an estimated 15% since 1998, when the Government set its target to halve it by 2010 and abolish it completely by 2020.

4) Approximately 14% of York's children live in poverty, and despite this being below the national average of 20% this is still unacceptable.

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and to the 4 MPs for the City of York Council area to request that the Government reaffirms its commitment to halving child poverty by 2010, by investing £2.8bn a year to tackle the issue of increasing child poverty in Britain.”

(ii)        From Cllr Gillies

"That this Council instructs officers to investigate, and report back through City Strategy EMAP, with the appropriate agencies the feasibility of developing a dedicated rail service to run between York Railway Station and Strensall, with intermediate stops at York District Hospital and Haxby, utilising the existing railway infrastructure.

The Council also registers its support for future light railway/tram train systems for the City of York."

(iii)       From Cllr Scott

            “Council notes and welcomes the £690,000 Local Authority Business Growth Incentive (LABGI) reward money.

Council also notes that £200,000 has been allocated to assist in the establishment of a community stadium in York.

Council instructs that the reward money be spent in the following ways:-

·        £30,000 grant to York Racial Equality Network (YREN)

·        £53,000 to reinstate travel tokens entitlements to the 07/08 level

·        £54,000 to the Graffiti Tackling Team initiative to replace the cuts in the Neighbourhood Services portfolio budget.

·        £10,000 to Safer York Partnership (SYP) towards the establishing of a graffiti database, to replace the cuts to York Pride money allocated to it.

·        £50,000 to fund a fireworks display

·        £40,000 to fund better Christmas lights

·        £30,000 to bring forward the recycling pilot to start pilot to terraced and difficult to access areas in August 2008

·        £50,000 to fund pilot of 'Smart Choices' initiative for personalised travel planning

·        £20,000 to reinstate Audit and Fraud post

·        £50,000 for additional contact hours for Home Care – in relation to city wide enabling and intermediate care team - High Dependency and EMI services

·        £40,000 to reduce residents’ parking permit fees by 10%

·        £27,000 for free evening parking for residents from 5.30pm with effect from 1^st July, 2009

·        £7,500 to establish free parking for Green Minster Badge holders – for cars owned  ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

(i)         Child Poverty

It was moved by Cllr Runciman and seconded by Cllr Vassie that:

“Council notes that:

1)                 Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Britain has one in five of its children living in poverty.

2)                 This is the second successive year that national figures have failed to improve, with the number of children living in relative poverty having risen by 100,000.

3)                 Child poverty has only fallen by an estimated 15% since 1998, when the Government set its target to halve it by 2010 and abolish it completely by 2020.

4)                 Approximately 14% of York’s children live in poverty, and despite this being below the national average of 20% this is still unacceptable.

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and to the 4 MPs for the City of York Council area to request that the Government re-affirms its commitment to halving child poverty by 2010, by investing £2.8bn a year to tackle the issue of increasing child poverty in Britain.”

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

“In the second paragraph (beginning ‘Council requests’), after ‘schools and families’ add ‘, to the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Opposition Spokespersons’ and after ‘Government re-affirms’ add ‘, with the support of other political parties,’.

After the final paragraph, add:

‘Council also requests that officer time be committed, consistent with its commitment to NI116, to addressing the issues locally which can help to reduce child poverty, namely:

·        Better promotion of benefit take-up

·        Providing additional support through services such as Future Prospects to help improve employment prospects

·        Better support to schools and families from disadvantaged backgrounds such as providing funding for extra-curricular activities to raise aspirations.

Council calls for an Action Plan officer report on the geographic areas suffering with the highest levels of child poverty in the City, with suggested measures, such as those already detailed, with a view to Council taking its own responsibilities in equal measure to the Government.’”

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

The motion, as amended, now read as follows:

“Council notes that:

1)     Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Britain has one in five of its children living in poverty.

2)     This is the second successive year that national figures have failed to improve, with the number of children living in relative poverty having risen by 100,000.

3)     Child poverty has only fallen by an estimated 15% since 1998, when the Government set its target to halve it by 2010 and abolish it completely by 2020.

4)     Approximately 14% of York’s children live in poverty, and despite this being below the national average of 20% this is still unacceptable.

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, to the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Opposition Spokespersons and to the 4 MPs for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

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

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

Cllr Waller then moved, and Cllr Runciman seconded, the recommendation contained in Minute 7 of the Executive meeting on 3 June 2008, relating to the Sustainable Community Strategy.  On being put to the vote, the motion was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED: That the recommendation in Minute 7 of the Executive meeting on 3 June 2008 be accepted and that the Sustainable Community Strategy be approved.

Cllr Waller then moved, and Cllr Runciman seconded:

“That the recommendation under Minute 16 of the Executive meeting on 17 June 2008 be approved and that Balfour Street Play Area be removed from the capital receipts programme and the capital programme be reduced by the size of the budgeted receipt (£350k) as a consequence (as set out in Option A in paragraph 8 of the Officer report circulated to Members on 27 June 2008.”

On being put to the vote, the above motion was declared carried and it was

RESOLVED: That the above motion, incorporating the recommendation from the Executive meeting on 17 June 2008, be approved.

Cllr Waller then moved, and Cllr Runciman seconded, the recommendation contained in Minute 27 of the Executive meeting on 30 June 2008, relating to the Statement of Accounts.

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

RESOLVED: That the recommendation in Minute 27 of the Executive meeting on 30 June 2008 be accepted and that the Statement of Accounts be approved.

At the invitation of the Lord Mayor, Cllr Pierce then moved as urgent business, and Cllr Scott seconded, the recommendation made by the Audit and Governance Committee at their meeting on 26 June 2008 regarding the Annual Governance Statement (AGS). 

Cllr Waller then moved, and Cllr Runciman seconded, an amendment to the above motion, as follows:

“Delete paragraph a) of the recommendation in Minute 8 of the meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 26 June 2008.”

In accordance with Standing Order 14(f), a named vote of those Members present was requested and put on the above amendment, as follows:

In accordance with the named vote, the amendment was declared LOST.

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

RESOLVED: That recommendation in Minute 8 of the Audit and Governance Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

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

A written report was received from Cllr Sue Galloway, the Executive Member for Housing and Adult Social Services.

Notice had been received of nine questions on the report, submitted by Members in accordance with Standing Orders.

The guillotine having fallen at this point, Members agreed to receive written responses to these questions.  The questions and the written responses are set out below.

(i)         From Councillor Morley

“Would the Executive Member say what factors have led to the improvement in letting times for empty Council homes?”

            Reply

“There has been a significant improvement in the void turn around times for empty homes.  In 2006/07 the void period averaged 3.55 weeks and in 2007/08 this was 2.77 weeks.  This is well below the 3 week target and is at its lowest level this century.  One of the main factors has been the “Golden Goodbye” incentive scheme encouraging people to leave their homes in relettable condition.  On average there is a 1 week difference between those homes relet following the award and those that did not qualify.”

(ii)        From Councillor Ayre

“Would the Executive Member outline progress on the choice based lettings scheme?”

            Reply

“There have been 124 choice based lettings on hard to let properties since the scheme started.  I am pleased to say that York and North Yorkshire sub region have successfully bid to CLG for funding to consider the implementation of sub regional choice based lettings.”

(iii)       From Cllr Orrell

“Would the Executive Member outline in more detail some of the findings of the survey on the Long Term Commissioning Strategy for Services for Older People?”

            Reply

This survey of older people attracted a very good response rate and in addition to a postal survey, we conducted stakeholder events and four focus groups.

There was support for the provision of low level preventative services to enable people to remain healthy and in control.  One of the key messages was the provision of a handyperson service and I am pleased to be able to tell you that, with the help of  the Supporting People programme, this is one of the first areas to be addressed.  More information on this service will be available shortly.

In addition we are working with the PCT on a menu of preventative services, including community based befriending and support services.

There was also strong support for specialist residential care to be increased – especially for those suffering from dementia.

Whilst most people wanted to remain in their own homes, there was a feeling that smaller and more manageable homes should be built.  Some homeowners expressed a wish to downsize but said that the cost of a smaller home was often more than their current home was worth and that there was no incentive to move.  Hence I think it is now necessary for us to start looking ad how we might assist those homeowners – both council and owner occupiers – who wish to downsize to release family accommodation.

Although Telecare had been slow to take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

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

(i)         To the Executive Leader, from Cllr Alexander:

“Will the Executive Leader give a date for changes to the Council’s Constitution that will allow ‘champions’ to report to, and progress issues through Council?”

(ii)        To the Executive Member for City Strategy, from Cllr Potter:

“Can the Executive Member for City Strategy explain what work has been undertaken on the following motion passed at Council in November 2007:

‘Council agrees that bus cross-ticketing, within the City of York Council boundary, is adopted as a primary objective of Council’s desire to further develop public transport usage in the city. Council calls for council officers to negotiate with local bus operators to achieve this with a target implementation date being set as being no later than January 2009’?”

(iii)             To the Executive Member for City Strategy, from Cllr Merrett:

“Would the Executive Member for City Strategy explain what progress has been made on updating the Council's bio-diversity action plan to meet current standards and to feed in to the draft Local Plan?”

(iv)       To the Executive Member for City Strategy, from Cllr Potter:

            “Can the Executive Member for City Strategyurgently investigate ways of incentivising local residents to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and so contribute locally to preventing global warming and climate change, bringing a report back to Full Council for discussion in September?”

(v)        To the Executive Member for Corporate Services, from Cllr Gunnell:

            “Can the Executive Member for Corporate Services give council members the year on year running costs of the Barbican auditorium to the council since its closure, including Business Rates, Utilities and Security costs?”

(vi)       To the Executive Member for Corporate Services, from Cllr Simpson-Laing:

            “Can the Executive Member for Corporate Services give an update on the identification of ownership of land on Runswick Avenue, which officers have being trying to identify since July 2007?”

(vii)      To the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Social Inclusion, from Cllr Ayre:

            “Would the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion report on the visitor figures for the revamped Acomb library and outline forthcoming changes to the library service elsewhere in the city?”

(viii)     To the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Social Inclusion, from Cllr Moore:

            “Would the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion comment on the Council's new position on encouraging film crews to visit the city?”

(ix)       To the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Social Inclusion, from Cllr Moore:

            “Would the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion provide visitor figures and energy performance figures for Yearsley pool since it reopened?”

(x)        To the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Social Inclusion, from Cllr Looker:

            “Can the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion confirm that the swimming pool at Heslington East campus is a crucial part of the Liberal Democrat swimming strategy, and if so  ...  view the full agenda text for item 21.

Thirteen questions had been submitted to the Executive Leader and Executive Members under Standing Order 10(c)(i).

The guillotine having fallen at this point, Members agreed to receive written answers to these questions.  The questions and the written responses are set out below.

(i)         To the Executive Leader, from Cllr Alexander:

“Will the Executive Leader give a date for changes to the Council’s Constitution that will allow ‘champions’ to report to, and progress issues through, Council?”

            Reply:

"Arrangements are being made for Champions to be able to prepare a written briefing on their role and work.  The briefing note will be submitted to Democratic Services, who will ensure the note gets circulated to all Members for information at the same time as agenda for Council meetings get published.  In this way, all Members will be kept up to date and informed about the progress and work of Champions on a regular basis.  Members can then decide whether they wish to seek clarification on the briefing note from the relevant Champion or indeed whether they wish to put forward a motion for future Council or Executive meetings based on the information contained in it.  I am advised this practice will not require any constitutional change."

(ii)        To the Executive Member for City Strategy, from Cllr Potter:

“Can the Executive Member for City Strategy explain what work has been undertaken on the following motion passed at Council in November 2007?”

            Reply:

“Council agrees that bus cross-ticketing, within the City of York Council boundary, is adopted as a primary objective of Council’s desire to further develop public transport usage in the city. Council calls for council officers to negotiate with local bus operators to achieve this with a target implementation date being set as being no later than January 2009.

Consultants Halcrow have been appointed to investigate options for, and the potential costs of, introducing bus through ticketing. They are expected to complete their report in July. The expectation is that an officer report, reviewing feasibility and costs, will be presented to the Executive in September.”

(iii)       To the Executive Member for City Strategy, from Cllr Merrett:

            “Would the Executive Member for City Strategy explain what progress has been made on updating the Council’s bio-diversity action plan to meet current standards and to feed in to the draft Local Plan?”

            Reply:

“Work on a re-appraisal of the 1996 biodiversity audit is being undertaken as is an outline of a new  Biodiversity Action Plan. These will be fed into the LDF process prior to the core strategy being submitted to the Secretary of State in April 2009.”

(iv)       To the Executive Member for City Strategy, from Cllr Potter:

            “Can the Executive Member for City Strategy urgently investigate ways of incentivising local residents to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and so contribute locally to preventing global warming and climate change, bringing a report back to Full Council for discussion in September?”

            Reply:

“The City’s response to the causes of climate change has been agreed by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

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

A written report was received from Cllr Galvin, the Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee (SMC), on the work of the SMC since the last report to Council, on 10 April 2008.

a)            Minutes of Outside Bodies

Minutes of the following meetings of outside bodies, received since the last meeting of Council, have been made available for Members to view via the Council’s website at

http://sql003.york.gov.uk/mgListOutsideBodies.asp?bcr=1

• York & North Yorkshire Waste Management Partnership – meeting on 7/2/08
• North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority – meetings on 13/2/08 and 25/2/08
• Safer York Partnership – meeting on 10/4/08
• Pension Fund Sub-Committee – meeting on 15/5/08
• North Yorkshire Police Authority – meetings on 4/2/08 and 25/2/08

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

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

b)            Review of List of Minutes of Outside Bodies reported to Council

Members are invited to review the list of Outside Bodies whose minutes are currently reported to Council and to approve a revised list (attached).

a)            Minutes of Outside Bodies

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

• York and North Yorkshire Waste Management Partnership – meeting on 7/2/08
• North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority – meetings on 13/2/08 and 25/2/08
• Safer York Partnership – meeting on 10/4/08
• Pension Fund Sub-Committee – meeting on 15/5/08
• North Yorkshire Police Authority – meetings on 4/2/08 and 25/2/08

No questions had been submitted to representatives on the above bodies.

b)            Review of List of Minutes of Outside Bodies Reported to Council

RESOLVED: That the revised list of Outside Bodies whose minutes are reported to Council, circulated with the Council papers (and attached as Annex 1 to these minutes) be approved.¹

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

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