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 stage in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

Cllr Potter declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the urgent motion relating to redundancies at Norwich Union (Minute 80 refers), of which notice had been given just before the meeting, as her daughter was employed by Norwich Union.

Cllr Gillies declared a personal interest in the urgent motion, as his daughter also worked at Norwich Union.

Cllr Morley declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Motion no. (iv) at item 13 on the agenda, relating to the sub-division of homes (Minute 88 refers), as the owner of a property that might be sub-divided.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Special and Ordinary meetings of Council held on 22 January 2009 and the Budget Council meeting held on 26 February 2009.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Special and Ordinary meetings of Council held on 22 January 2009 and the Budget Council meeting held on 26 February 2009 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of those meetings.

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

The Lord Mayor announced that a portrait of ex-Councillor Ken Cooper, which had been formally presented to the Council by Mr Cooper’s widow, Mrs Dolly Cooper, was currently on show in the Council Chamber and would later be put on permanent display in the Mansion House.

The Lord Mayor then drew Members’ attention to a plaque received from representatives of the Syrian government during their recent visit to York from Damascus and Palmyra.  This was also on show in the Council Chamber.

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 Wednesday, 1 April 2009.

The Lord Mayor announced that three people had registered to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.  Each was invited to speak for three minutes, in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

Mrs Una Dalton spoke on behalf of herself and other residents of Temple Lane, Copmanthorpe, who used the no.21 bus, in support of the petition to be presented later in the meeting by Cllr Healey.  She stated that the discontinuance of this service, scheduled to take place on 24 April, would isolate elderly and infirm residents from access to the doctor, hospital, shops and other major facilities, and would compromise their independence.

Mr Mark Warters spoke in relation to the motion on the Regional Spatial Strategy and green belt land to be moved by Cllr Kirk later in the meeting.  He expressed support for the motion but accused the ruling group of hypocrisy in not protecting the green belt when allowing development at Osbaldwick.

Mr Tony Bramley spoke in support of the petition to be presented later in the meeting by Cllr Vassie, seeking the installation of a traffic island on the A19 at Deighton.  He explained the difficulties caused to village residents who had to cross this busy and hazardous road and pointed out that residents were asking for an illuminated traffic island, rather than the more costly solution previously rejected by Members.

To consider any petitions received from Members in accordance with Standing Order No.7.  To date, notice has been received of petitions to be presented by:

(i)                 Cllr Potter, on behalf of York residents, calling for the introduction of a 20 mph blanket speed limit throughout the City in residential areas.

(ii)               Cllr Potter, on behalf of local residents, calling for the completion of the link road between James Street and Heworth Green.

(iii)             Cllr Potter, on behalf of local residents, calling for the cancellation of plans to cut direct services from Heworth to Monks Cross and York College.

(iv)              Cllr Vassie, on behalf of the residents of Deighton, calling for a traffic island to be built on the A19 in Deighton.

(v)                Cllr Waller, on behalf of residents of The Reeves, seeking closure of snickets in their area.

(vi)              Cllr Waller, on behalf of local residents, calling for measures to tackle speed on New Lane.

The following petitions were presented by Members under Standing Order 7:

(i)                 Cllr Potter, on behalf of York residents calling for the introduction of a 20 mph blanket speed limit throughout the City in residential areas.¹

(ii)               Cllr Potter, on behalf of local residents calling for the completion of the link road between James Street and Heworth Green. ²

(iii)             Cllr Potter, on behalf of local residents calling for the cancellation of plans to cut direct services from Heworth to Monks Cross and York College. ³

(iv)              Cllr Vassie, on behalf of residents of Deighton calling for a traffic island to be built on the A19 in Deighton. ⁴

(v)                Cllr Waller, on behalf of residents of The Reeves seeking closure of snickets in their area. ⁵

(vi)              Cllr Waller, on behalf of local residents calling for measures to tackle speed on New Lane. ⁶

(vii)            Cllr Healey, on behalf of residents of the Temple Lane area of Copmanthorpe calling for the continued provision of a scheduled bus service for their community. ⁷

RESOLVED: That the above petitions be referred to the Executive or appropriate committee. ^1-7

At this point in the meeting, Cllr Gillies moved that Standing Orders 12.1, 12.2, 12.4 and 12.5 be suspended to allow an urgent motion to be put to Council.  Cllr D’Agorne seconded this proposal, which when put to the vote was unanimously agreed.

Cllr Waller then moved, and Cllr Scott seconded, that

“Council regrets today’s announcement from Norwich Union (soon to be Aviva) regarding job losses in York by the end of 2009.

Council invites Norwich Union (soon to be Aviva) to meet urgently with the Chief Executive, Group Leaders and Yorkshire Forward to agree plans to mitigate the impact on local communities.” ¹

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

RESOLVED: That the above notice of motion be approved.

To receive a written report from the Leader on the work of the Executive, and to consider 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.

Notice had been received of two questions on the report, submitted by Members in accordance with Standing Orders.  The questions were put and answered as follows:

(i)         From Cllr Scott:

“I welcome the Executive Leader’s commitment to the ‘York Means Business’ campaign.  Taking into account that the members of the National Union of Journalists are taking industrial action to preserve jobs at The Press in York, will the Executive Leader agree to instruct the Chief Executive not to issue press releases from this Council to The Press on days which it is known industrial action is taking place at The Press?

The Executive Leader replied:

“The Council has an agreed protocol on publicity and media, as set out in the Constitution, which would need to be amended in order for what is being requested to happen.  There is nothing to stop political parties from taking their own actions on non-issuing of press releases and comment on days when it is known that industrial action is taking place at The Press newspaper.”

In response to a supplementary question asking whether he would invite all Group Leaders to confirm their agreement to such a constitutional amendment, the Executive Leader replied that this would be a matter for debate at Full Council.

(ii)        From Cllr Fraser:

“Can the Executive Leader explain why he considers the acquisition of the land secured for the failed Hungate HQ project to have left the Council with a valuable asset for the future, as he was recently quoted in The Press?”

The Executive Leader replied:

“Land holdings are an asset, and having an area of land on which there is already outlying planning permission for a building of 100,000 square feet close to existing Civil Service jobs at King’s Pool is of value to the future economic development of the City.”

The Executive Leader then moved, and Cllr Runciman seconded, the recommendations of the Executive contained in the minutes of the Executive meetings held on 3 February 2009 and 31 March 2009, namely:

a)            Minute 178 – Minutes of Working Groups:

“That the recommendation in Minute 32 of the Social Inclusion Working Group meeting on 14 January 2009 be approved and that the membership of the Group be increased accordingly, to include two additional non-voting co-opted Members representing the equalities disability strand.” ¹

and

b)            Minute 214 – The Refresh of the Corporate Strategy

“That Council approve the draft strategy, subject to the above additions.” [as agreed by the Executive and set out in the resolution]. ²

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

RESOLVED: That the recommendations contained in Minute 178 of the Executive meeting held on 3 February 2009 and Minute 214 of the Executive meeting held on 31 March 2009 be approved.^1-2

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 John Galvin, the Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee (SMC) on the work of the SMC since the last report to Council, on 22 January 2009.

To consider a report of the Head of Civic, Legal and Democratic Services, which presents the conclusions of the Working Group tasked with making recommendations regarding the re-structuring of Scrutiny and the Executive Member decision making process.

Cllr Galvin moved, and Cllr Wiseman seconded, the following recommendations contained in a report of the Head of Civic, Legal and Democratic Services, presenting the recommendations of the Working Group tasked with making recommendations on the re-structuring of Scrutiny and the Executive Member decision making process:

“(1)      That Council authorises the Monitoring Officer to make the following necessary constitutional changes to be put into operational effect after the Annual meeting in May 2009:

                                i)            Public monthly individual Executive Member Decision Making Sessions held on Tuesdays (minor timetabling requirements to be agreed with Democratic Services Manager)

                              ii)            A public on-line information log for ‘information only’ reports

                            iii)            A Scrutiny Management Committee of 10 members on 4:4:1:1 basis, to include one Member from each of the new scrutiny committees and be set up with the functions and delegated powers agreed by Council in January 2009

                            iv)            5 scrutiny Committees of either 8 or 7 members in principle (subject to proportionality details being resolved at Annual Council in May 2009), to be set up with the functions and delegated powers agreed by Council in January 2009

                              v)            external expert advisors to scrutiny from local universities (pro bono excluding expenses), subject to further investigation by the Chief Executive

(2)   Council to commission a report to Audit & Governance Committee investigating a corporate approach to handing petitions (including establishing a public on-line corporate register).”

Cllr Steve Galloway then moved, and Cllr Reid seconded, an amendment to the above motion, as follows:

“Add the following paragraph to the proposal:

“(3)      That the Chairs of the scrutiny committees be allocated to the Groups represented on the Council broadly in proportion to their strengths (i.e. SMC Chair - Conservative. Scrutiny Committees - 2 Labour Chairs, 2 LibDem Chairs and 1 Green Chair) Detailed allocation of the scrutiny committee chairs to be subject to further discussion between the Groups prior to the Council’s Annual Meeting.”

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

Cllr Scott then moved, and Cllr Potter, seconded, the following amendment to the above motion:

““In paragraph (1), sub-paragraph iii., delete ‘10’ and substitute ‘8’ and delete ‘4:4:1:1’ and substitute ‘3:3:1:1’.

Insert an additional sub-paragraph, as follows:

‘vi.       That the Chairs of all Scrutiny Committees must be from members of main Opposition parties and in a proportion to be agreed between the parties.’”

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

The motion, as amended, now read as follows:

“(1)      That Council authorises the Monitoring Officer to make the following necessary constitutional changes to be put into operational effect after the Annual meeting in May 2009: ¹

i)          Public monthly individual Executive Member Decision Making Sessions held on Tuesdays (minor timetabling requirements to be agreed with Democratic Services Manager)

ii)            A public on-line information log for ‘information only’ reports

iii)        A Scrutiny Management Committee of 8 members on 3:3:1:1 basis, to include one Member from each of the new scrutiny committees and be set up with the functions and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

To consider a report of the Head of Civic, Legal and Democratic Services, which seeks formal approval to establish a Member Development Steering Group and agree the terms, conditions and membership of the Group.

Cllr Waller moved, and Cllr Runciman seconded, the following recommendations contained in a report of the Head of Civic, Legal and Democratic Services, at page 61 of the Council papers, concerning the establishment of a Member Development Steering Group:

“(i)            Council establishes on its structure a Member Development Steering Group on a 1:1:1 basis and appoints to it those nominees received from Party Groups.

(ii)            Council approves the terms of reference for the Group annexed to this report.”

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

RESOLVED: That the recommendations be approved. ¹

To receive a written report from the Executive Member for Children and Young People’s 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).

To date, notice has been received of the following questions:

(i)         From Cllr Waudby:

“I understand that York’s Children and Young People’s Plan was launched yesterday; can the Executive Member for Children and Young People explain to Council what will happen to it next and how it will improve the lives of children and young people in the City?”

(i)         From Cllr Aspden:

“Can the Executive Member of Children and Young People give Council an update on the number of exclusions from schools in the City and why has a fall taken place?”

(iii)       From Cllr Orrell:

“How many schools in York have been awarded outstanding grades by OFSTED and how does this distribution compare to the national distribution?”

(iv)       From Cllr R Watson:

“I understand the Executive Member met with the Chief Executive of the Schools’ Food Trust earlier this week.  Could the Executive Member please give Council and update on how the meeting went and how the Schools’ Fund Trust plan to work with local schools in the future?”

A written report was received from Cllr Runciman, the Executive Member for Learning and Children’s Services.

Notice had been received of twelve questions on the report, submitted by Members in accordance with Standing Orders.  The first nine questions were put and answered, as follows:

(i)         From Cllr Waudby:

“I understand that York’s Children and Young People’s Plan was launched yesterday; can the Executive Member for Children and Young People explain to Council what will happen to it next and how it will improve the lives of children and young people in the City?”

            The Executive Member replied:

“The City of York Children and Young People’s Plan is the product of `widespread consultation, analysis and debate.  It summarises in a very user friendly format the issues which matter for the children of York and it will be used to ensure that all our partner agencies are working towards achieving the key improvement priorities that the plan describes.  The YorOK Board will receive regular monitoring reports on their ‘scorecard’ of issues that matter most from the plan.  The YorOK Board is well placed to ensure that action is taken across partners when progress is not being made.

Everyone will be working together to improve the lives of York’s children and to ensure all agencies make a difference to outcomes for our children and young people.”

(ii)        From Cllr Merrett:

“With regard to the new Children & Young People's Plan, and her comments about the Looked after children audit, would the Executive Member for Children Services accept that the reduced target N101 (s) of only 1 in 15 and only 1 in 10 children in care achieving 5 A* - C GCSE's (or equivalent) including English & maths at KS4 for the next two years, against 2 out of 13 this year, indicates a failure of both ambition and delivery of learning by the Council for the children we are corporate parents to, and will she agree that we should be setting an ambitious improving target for this?”

            The Executive Member replied:

“The education of our looked after children has never been a greater priority.  The figures quoted are simply based on a national requirement to track the expected outcomes of children already in the looked after system, as provided by the Fisher Family Trust.  Our aspirations for the looked after population are so much greater than that and as the excellent new Children and Young People’s Plan says, ‘we aspire for every child and young person in York to have the chance to reach their full potential and live their dreams.  We will stretch the most able, support those who start at a disadvantage and protect and nurture the most vulnerable.’

However, it is important to recognise that, for many young people, looked after children included, the government’s measure of success as 5 A* to Cs is not appropriate – their achievements in vocational and applied learning need to be acknowledged.  In addition, as I know from my own discussions with those involved, no  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

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

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

·         North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority - Meeting on 11 February 2009

·         Police Authority - Meetings on 8 December 2008 and 9 February 2009

·         Without Walls Partnership - Meeting on 19 February 2009

·         Yorkshire and the Humber Assembly -  Meeting on 12 February 2008

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

·         North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority - Meeting on 11 February 2009

·         Police Authority - Meetings on 8 December 2008 and 9 February 2009

·         Without Walls Partnership - Meeting on 19 February 2009

·         Yorkshire and the Humber Assembly -  Meeting on 12 February 2008

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

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

It was noted that the appointments to the Golden Triangle Partnership Board would be removed from the list, as they did not require the approval of Council.

RESOLVED: That the appointments and changes to membership of committees, working groups, partnership and outside bodies set out on the revised list circulated around the Council Chamber (and attached as an Annex to these minutes) be approved. 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 Kirk

“Council views with concern the recent government advice to the Yorkshire and Humber Region that there should be a further increase in land allocations for house building over the next 20 years. Council reasserts its view that even the current Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) assumption (providing for 850 additional homes per year) will be difficult to achieve without having an adverse impact on the City's setting, its built and natural environment, and that these numbers will place even further pressures on the City's transport, education, health and leisure infrastructure.

Council therefore advises the Executive to endorse the recommendations of the Local Development Framework Working Group to defend land previously identified as draft green belt from the option of building thousands of new homes in the period up to 2030.”

(ii)        From Cllr Alexander

“This Council notes:

·        that the cost of First York bus fares has increased 8 times over the past 6 years;

·        that the cost of tickets has increased over this period between 25% and 100%;

·        that increased prices are a major factor in the decrease in the number of paying passengers;

·        that there is an inconsistency of bus services in rural areas;

·        with great regret the recent announced bus service cuts.

Council requests the City of York Council’s Executive to make anapplication to take up the available powers to impose a Quality Contract scheme as set out in Section 124 of the Transport Act 2000, as amended by the Local Transport Act 2008, with a view to exercising control over the maximum fares, frequency and timing of local bus services with a view to addressing the above problems and achieving a more satisfactory and effective local public transport service.”

(iii)       From Cllr Wiseman

“Council believes that the traffic layout, signposting and related infrastructure at York Railway Station concerning the entrance/exit to the short-stay car park, the gyratory known as ‘Tearoom Square’, and the entrance/exit onto Station Road are confused, congested and therefore cause difficulties for all road-users attempting to negotiate this area.  The Council moves to request the Executive to investigate in detail the issues related to his area, with a view to improving the access and traffic flow in and out of this part of the station.”

(iv)       From Cllr Simpson-Laing

“This Council believes that the both the sub-division and amalgamation of homes should be regulated to reduce the harm they can cause to the City's housing stock and neighbouring residents.

This Council believes that the sub-division of homes should be stopped due to its detrimental effect on the City's housing stock. Council calls upon the Director of City Strategy to bring forward a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on the ‘Sub - Division of Terraced and Semi Detached’ properties in the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 88.

(i)                 Regional Spatial Strategy

A notice of motion had been submitted by Cllr Kirk in the following terms:

“Council views with concern the recent government advice to the Yorkshire and Humber Region that there should be a further increase in land allocations for house building over the next 20 years. Council reasserts its view that even the current Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) assumption (providing for 850 additional homes per year) will be difficult to achieve without having an adverse impact on the City's setting, its built and natural environment, and that these numbers will place even further pressures on the City's transport, education, health and leisure infrastructure.

Council therefore advises the Executive to endorse the recommendations of the Local Development Framework Working Group to defend land previously identified as draft green belt from the option of building thousands of new homes in the period up to 2030.”

Cllr Kirk now sought leave to alter the above motion, to read as follows:

“Council views with concern the recent government advice to the Yorkshire and Humber Region that there should be a further increase in land allocations for house building over the next 20 years. Council reasserts its view that even the current Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) assumption (providing for 850 additional homes per year) will be difficult to achieve without having an adverse impact on the City's setting, its built and natural environment, and that these numbers will place even further pressures on the City's transport, education, health and leisure infrastructure.

Council therefore advises the Executive to take account of the recommendations of the Local Development Framework Working Group to defend land previously identified as draft green belt from the option of building thousands of new homes in the period up to 2030.”¹

Council having agreed to that alteration, Cllr Kirk moved, and Cllr Orrell seconded, the motion as altered.

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

“In the first paragraph:

·        delete the words ‘views with concern’ in the first sentence and substitute ‘notes’

·        delete the whole of the second sentence and substitute ‘This is welcomed in the City of York Council area due to the Fordhams Strategic Housing Market Assessment formal calculation of housing need which shows an overall need for 1,218 new affordable dwellings per annum.’

In the second paragraph:

·        delete the words ‘to endorse’ in the first line and substitute ‘that’

·        delete all after ‘Local Development Framework Working Group to’ and insert ‘deem possible sites in the draft green belt as unsuitable for housing is premature as it prevents a fully informed debate by York Residents on all of the options available to the Council that could meet the future housing needs of York people.’”

In accordance with Standing Order 15.2.1, a named vote of those Members present was requested and put on the above amendment, with the following result:

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 Watt

“Following last year's petition from the residents seeking council action to address Anti-Social Behaviour in the Rawcliffe Grange area, a Safer York Partnership Multi-Agency Working Group (WG) was convened to address the concerns raised by the petition.  The Executive Leader is requested to advise the Council:

a)     which of the WG's recommendations have been implemented;

b)     which WG recommendations is it intended to implement;

c)      which of the recommendations the Executive does not intended to follow up and why each of these recommendations is not being pursued.”

(ii)        To the Executive Leader, from Cllr Holvey

“Local democracy is helped by a local press, and York benefits from two local newspapers and two locally based radio stations. However, across the country local media outlets are suffering from budget pressures, job losses and other reductions in capacity which are also affecting the City of York. Would the Leader agree that a properly funded and staffed local run newspaper, like "The Press" is vital to local democracy?”

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

What action has been taken to safeguard the evening bus services which First plan to cut with effect from the end of April?”

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

“What opportunities will residents have to influence the LDF core strategy and land allocations over the next few months?”

(v)        To the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Social Inclusion, from Cllr Morley

“Can the Executive Member give Council an update on the performance of the City’s libraries?”

(vi)       To the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, from Cllr Jamieson-Ball

“Could the Executive Member tell Council what action has been taken to ensure activities at Elvington Airfield have minimal impact on local residents?”

Six questions had been submitted to the Executive Leader and Executive Members under Standing Order 11.3.  The guillotine having fallen, Members agreed to receive written responses to these questions.  The questions and the written responses are set out below:

(i)         To the Executive Leader, from Cllr Watt

“Following last year's petition from the residents seeking council action to address Anti-Social Behaviour in the Rawcliffe Grange area, a Safer York Partnership Multi-Agency Working Group (WG) was convened to address the concerns raised by the petition.  The Executive Leader is requested to advise the Council:

a)     which of the WG's recommendations have been implemented;

b)     which WG recommendations is it intended to implement;

c)      which of the recommendations the Executive does not intended to follow up and why each of these recommendations is not being pursued?”

Reply:

The working group has implemented the extension of an Alcohol Exclusion Zone. SYP have funded three months targeted detached youth work  to engage with the young people in the area.  Neighbourhood policing patrols were increased and action taken where possible.  Target hardening funds for 50% of the value of  a range of physical works was allocated to the area.

The erection of two kissing gates to the access paths to prevent motorcycle access, and raised height fencing to the play areas with a lockable gate to the play park to prevent youths gathering at night, are yet to be implemented.  Such works are subject to funding being obtained and consent from the land owners.

There are no further recommendations to implement other than those already outlined above, which as I have already said, are subject to funding and land owner consent.

(ii)        To the Executive Leader, from Cllr Holvey

“Local democracy is helped by a local press, and York benefits from two local newspapers and two locally based radio stations. However, across the country local media outlets are suffering from budget pressures, job losses and other reductions in capacity which are also affecting the City of York. Would the Leader agree that a properly funded and staffed local run newspaper, like "The Press" is vital to local democracy?”

Reply:

“There is no doubt that Local news is going through a difficult time, advertising revenues are falling and the recession is hitting hard resulting in significant job losses. I recognise the importance of local journalism and the commitment of ‘The Press’s staff and NUJ to maintain a newspaper in the City. I have met with the management earlier in the year to discuss the situation and recognise the pressure that they are under from the American parent company owners.

Many residents rely on the local newspaper for local news, to hear about local events, and to keep connected as a community. The local paper is a vital source of information and a key link to the local area.

Even politicians who have been at times been exasperated by some of the articles written by the newspaper recognise the broader view that local newspapers play a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.