Agenda and minutes

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 prejudicial interests were declared:

Note:The above members left the room during the debate / vote on the relevant items and took no part in the decisions thereon.

The following personal interests were declared:

To approve and sign the minutes of the two Special and one Ordinary meetings of Council held on 6 October 2011.

RESOLVED:    i)       That the minutes of the two Special meetings of Council held on 6 October 2011 be approved and signed by the Chair as correct records.

 ii)      That the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 6 October 2011 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record subject to:

·         The addition in Minute 30 (Declarations of Interest) of the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest by Cllr Barnes in Agenda item 6 – Notices of Motion (i) Health and Social Care Bill as an employee of a healthcare organisation. Cllr Barnes left the room during the debate/vote on this item and took no part in the decisions thereon.

·         The amendment of Cllr Barnes personal interest also in Minute 30 to state ‘Member of Unite’ rather than ‘Unison’.

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

The Lord Mayor asked members to join him in wishing Councillor Taylor their deepest condolences at this sad time following the recent death of his partner.

Councillor Taylor expressed his sincere thanks to the many members and officers who had contacted him and for the many kind messages of condolence which had been much appreciated.

The Lord Mayor reported receipt of the civic gift of a picture of the 214^th Squadron of 2 Signal Regiment.

The Lord Mayor then invited Cllr Runciman to nominate the Lord Mayor Elect for the Municipal Year 2012/13. Cllr Runciman nominated, and Cllr Alexander secondedCllr Keith Hyman as the Lord Mayor Elect and this nomination was unanimously agreed.  Cllr Hyman replied that he would be honoured to accept this office and nominated Cllr Paul Firth as Sheriff for the 2012/13 Municipal Year.

At this point in the meeting, any member of the public who has registered to address the Council, or to ask a Member of the Council a question, on a matter directly relevant to the business of the Council or the City, may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Wednesday, 7 December 2011.

The Lord Mayor announced that one member of the public had registered to speak at the meeting.

Reverend Tony Hand, Lord Mayor’s chaplain, Vicar of the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Boroughbridge Road and a resident of Boroughbridge Road, spoke about progress being made with regard to the planning arrangements, in particular public consultation for the proposed development of the British Sugar and old Manor School sites.  He informed members that he had followed, with interest, the potential for development of these sites. He stressed the importance of public consultation, in order that residents could view plans and have the opportunity to comment on proposals. He asked that he be kept informed with regard to when public consultation would take place so he could make sure residents were aware through ward Committee meetings and a leafleting campaign.              

To consider any petitions received from Members in accordance with Standing Order No.7. To date, no petitions have been received but any received before the appropriate deadline will be reported at the Council meeting.

The Lord Mayor reported that there were no petitions to be presented by Members at the meeting.

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

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

A         Questions

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

(i)         From Cllr Aspden

“Does the Cabinet Leader’s vision of a “leaner Council” include a reduction in the number of Cabinet Members?”

The Leader replied:

“It doesn’t at the moment as the manifesto we were elected on six months ago committed us to create a high level post to take responsibility for crime and community safety. This is following a model put forward by many other councils, including Hammersmith and Fulham. The cost of an assistant director to deliver this manifesto pledge would be circa £55k. The cost of a cabinet member is under £15k. Therefore we have delivered on our manifesto pledge at the cheapest cost possible.

I have the power to appoint up to 9 Cabinet Members, and we are below that number. We are also below the ten Tory Oxfordshire has and equal to the eight Lib Dem Three Rivers council has.

Members may also be interested to know that I have asked for information on the feasibility of reducing the number of councillors just as the Government is reducing the number of MPs.

(ii)        From Cllr Reid

“Can the Cabinet Leader explain how he thinks the homelessness figures for 2010/11 were affected by changes to Housing Benefits which did not come into force until the 2011/12 financial year?”

The Leader replied:

“I apologise if this was not explained clearly enough but the homeless figure has been affected by the compound nature of a number of changes in housing legislation since the general election in conjunction with the downturn in the economy.”

(iii)       From Cllr Steward

“The Council Leader criticises changes to housing benefit. Does he believe there should be no changes to housing benefit and/or does he believe all current charges for York council houses are fair?”

The Leader replied:

“Changes to housing benefit are necessary but York should be a special case because York has the highest private rent levels in Yorkshire. York has rents at similar to levels in the South East and so capping housing benefit along regional lines will penalise residents in York over residents in other cities across Yorkshire. Labour is sticking up for residents in York whereas the Conservatives locally prioritise their party and Government over local people. We are currently discussing council housing rent levels but I am concerned about Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in Government who want York to increase rents to 80% of the market value. This will see many poorer families no longer able to afford to live in York. This will affect the private sector who sometimes rely on a low wage work force. This will affect economic growth.”

 (iv)      From Cllr Steward

“The Council Leader declares that free Wi-Fi supports his pledge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

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

Cllr Alexander moved, and Cllr Gillies seconded the following recommendations contained in Minute 68 of the Staffing Matters and Urgency Committee meeting held on  7 November 2011.

“[That Council] be asked to endorse the views of the Staffing Matters and Urgency Committee, in supporting a community covenant, and pledge its support to establish a Community Covenant.

              Authorise the Chief Executive to hold discussions with representatives of our local armed forces to progress establishing a covenant.”

Cllrs Alexander, Runciman, D’Agorne and Warters all spoke in support of the covenant to support relationships between the people of York and local armed forces.

On behalf of the Armed Forces Community, Brigadier Bibby, Commander of 15 (North East) Brigade and York Garrison confirmed their proud involvement with this initiative. He confirmed that York had always been a service-friendly city, with the local community supporting their local personnel, both past and present, and their families.

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

RESOLVED:             That the above recommendation in respect of the Community Covenant be approved. ¹

[At this point in the meeting, all Group Leaders and the Chief Executive together with representatives of the Armed Forces and the CVS signed the Covenant, which would be permanently displayed at the Mansion House.]

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

Council received a report from Councillor Galvin, Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee, on the work of the committee.

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

Council received a written report from Cllr Gunnell, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services.

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

(i)         From Cllr Healey

“Could the Cabinet Member expand on the four major cost pressures facing the Council as outlined in the 2012-14 Budget Update presented at Tuesday’s Cabinet Meeting?”

The Cabinet Member replied:

The report that I presented clearly set out what the pressures for this Local Authority are. However, I will provide more detail on the four areas mentioned:

·         The coalition Government has cut the Formula Grant settlement by £5m

·         Pay and Pension costs: It covers the potential impact of a pay award and the impact of the pension revaluation.

·         PFI – This has been reported to Members previously, so should be fully aware of the need for the council to increase its budget by £750k per annum

·         There is a rise in numbers of clients in Adult Social Care and a rise in numbers of Looked after children

In response to a supplementary question regarding feedback from the recent North Yorkshire meeting on pay and pensions, the Cabinet Member confirmed that all local authority employees would be updated as negotiations proceeded.

(ii)        From Cllr Steward

            “The Cabinet Member refers to the need to save £21 million this year. Is this a saving she views as consultants helping or hindering with and can she say what has been spent on consultants in the current and preceding two years?”

The Cabinet Member replied:

We are committed and quite clear on the fact that we will reduce the number of consultants and the amount spent on consultants.  However, there will always be occasions where the assistance of a consultant is needed to provide specialist expertise when it is cost effective.

Spend:

·       2009/10          £1,304,703

·       2010/11          £1,152,256

·       2011/12          £   348,688

In response to a supplementary question the Cabinet Member confirmed that there would always be a need to employ consultants in relation to specialist work, for example in respect of West Offices.

(iii)       From Cllr Barton

“Can the Cabinet Member outline for Council what she learned from the Keynote Speakers at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Conference that will influence in the “robust mitigation strategies” she refers to?

The Cabinet Member replied:

The annual CIPFA conference which I attended on the recommendation of Senior Officers and endorsed by the cross-party Member Development Steering Group, under the Lib Dem administration, was very worthwhile. The conference took place against a backdrop of profound financial uncertainty and change for the public sector. Following the Spending Review the conference acknowledged and encompassed the challenges to the public sector to reshape organisations and services to cope with the new financial circumstances.

As you will be fully aware CIPFA is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and the only one which specialises in Public Services.

Having  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

Minutes of the following meetings of outside bodies, received since the last meeting of Council, have been made available for Members to view via the Council’s website at http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=489&path=0

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

·        Quality Bus Partnership – Minutes - 8 Sept 2011

·        Safer York Partnership/Drug Action Team Partnership Board Meeting – Minutes - 26 Sept 2011

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

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

·        Quality Bus Partnership – Minutes - 8 Sept 2011

·        Safer York Partnership/Drug Action Team Partnership Board Meeting – Minutes - 26 Sept 2011

No questions had been submitted to representatives on outside bodies.

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, and changes to membership of, committees, outside bodies and working groups set out in 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 12:

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

None

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

(i)           From Cllr Funnell

“Council notes the benefits of solar power in reducing energy bills and our dependence on oil. It is the environmentally responsible option for business, the public sector and for private households.

Council expresses alarm at the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government's announcement to bring forward, from 1st April 2012 to 12th December 2011, a reduction in the Feed in Tariff for solar panel electricity generation of around 61% for schemes tackling fuel poverty, such as City of York Council’s, which was to provide solar panels to around 2,000 homes.

Council expresses its disappointment at the decision to reduce the Feed in Tariff, threatening the overall viability of the York solar scheme. Council also expresses concern at the loss of jobs, in York, that the solar installation industry has reported will result from the announcement.

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to Gregory Barker MP, Minister of State for Climate Change, and requests that all those signed up to schemes and that have undertaken preparatory work prior to the Minister's statement on 31st October, receive the Feed in Tariff rate previously agreed and promoted by his Government.

Council requests that officers and both York MPs lobby the Government following news reports that the Minister may be considering phasing in the Government's proposed cuts in response to strong opposition.”

(ii)          From Cllr Steward

“Council welcomes the coalition Government’s efforts to reduce the deficit and to provide a period of financial stability following 12 years of economic mismanagement by Labour.  Council therefore supports the Government’s offer of financial incentives to councils which commit to no rise in council tax.

In support of the coalition Government’s policy of freezing council tax CYC pledges to undertake such a council tax freeze for the next two financial years.”

(iii)        From Cllr Cuthbertson

“Council believes that personal financial education for young people is vital to ensure that they have the skills needed to prosper in a complex economy.

Council notes that, while a petition calling on the Government to make personal financial education part of the national curriculum has attracted more than 100,000 signatures, there are as yet no plans to make such education compulsory or to specify what should be covered.

Council therefore resolves to take action to ensure that children and young people in York are taught these important financial management skills.   Council requests that officers bring a report to Cabinet outlining the options available to encourage and support schools in providing personal financial education for every young person in our city.”

(iv)        From Cllr Cunningham-Cross

“Council places on record its grave concern over the number of young people aged 16-24 years old who are unemployed, which reached an all time record high of 1.02m last month.

Council wishes to express its  ...  view the full agenda text for item 54.

(i)         Solar Energy – Feed in Tariff

It was moved by Cllr Funnell and seconded by Cllr Levene that:

“Council notes the benefits of solar power in reducing energy bills and our dependence on oil. It is the environmentally responsible option for business, the public sector and for private households.

Council expresses alarm at the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government's announcement to bring forward, from 1st April 2012 to 12th December 2011, a reduction in the Feed in Tariff for solar panel electricity generation of around 61% for schemes tackling fuel poverty, such as City of York Council’s, which was to provide solar panels to around 2,000 homes.

Council expresses its disappointment at the decision to reduce the Feed in Tariff, threatening the overall viability of the York solar scheme. Council also expresses concern at the loss of jobs, in York, that the solar installation industry has reported will result from the announcement.

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to Gregory Barker MP, Minister of State for Climate Change, and requests that all those signed up to schemes and that have undertaken preparatory work prior to the Minister's statement on 31st October, receive the Feed in Tariff rate previously agreed and promoted by his Government.

Council requests that officers and both York MPs lobby the Government following news reports that the Minister may be considering phasing in the Government's proposed cuts in response to strong opposition.”

In accordance with his powers under Standing Orders, the Lord Mayor ruled the following amendment which had been submitted by Cllr Healey out of order:

First Paragraph, third line, delete “oil” and replace with “fossil fuels”.

Second paragraph, first line, delete “expresses alarm at” and replace with “notes”.

Fourth line, delete “of around 61% for schemes tackling fuel poverty of” and replace with “from 43.3p kWh to 16p per kWh”.

Second paragraph, fifth line, after “Council’s,” add “which this financial year was”.

Third paragraph, delete entire paragraph after the first word, “Council” and replace with “asks officers to work with Community energy Solutions to review the scheme so it can continue to provide affordable energy to council residents, noting in particular the reduction of 40%+ in the wholesale price of solar panels, the Council’s 20% ‘roof rent’ and the continued low interest rates which currently only benefits the financiers.  Council schemes should aim to break even.”

Fourth paragraph, second line, delete “and requests that all those signed up to schemes and that have undertaken preparatory work prior to the Minister’s statement on 31^st October, receive the Feed in Tariff rate previously agreed and promoted by his Government.” And replace with “to ask that he put in place a stable subsidy framework to enable medium-term planning.”

Fifth paragraph, delete the entire paragraph.

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

RESOLVED:             That the above notice of motion be approved.¹

(ii)        Proposals for a Council Tax Freeze

The following motion had been submitted by Cllr Steward  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

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

(i)      To the Cabinet Leader from Cllr Steward:

“Can the Leader explain to my residents how it is fair for Labour members who are members of unions to merely ‘declare an interest’ and then be able to vote on increasing funding to the unions?”

(ii)      To the Cabinet Leader, from Cllr Barton:

“What does the Leader believe is the optimum number of people to attend a Britain in Bloom information event?”

(iii)     To the Cabinet Leader, from Cllr Runciman:

“What plans does the Cabinet Leader have to release budget information to the opposition groups?”

(iv)     To the Cabinet Leader, from Cllr Boyce:

“Government cuts to the BBC will mean BBC Radio York losing six hours of local programmes per dayand ten hours each weekend, resulting in reduced coverage of local news and York City matches, both of which are valued by residents, as well as result in diminished coverage of council business.  Will the Cabinet Leader please write to the Secretary of State for Culture, the Director General of the BBC and the Chair of BBC Governors requesting that the BBC’s funding for local radio servicesis reviewed?”

(v)     To the Cabinet Leader, from Cllr Steward:

“Can the Leader detail how many members of the public have attended Cabinet meetings as they move around the city and does the Leader consider the moving around worthwhile?”

(vi)     To the Cabinet Leader, from Cllr Steward:

“Can the Leader explain what role the Council is paying Trade Unions for that could not be carried out by the Human Resources Department?”

(vii)    To the Cabinet Leader, from Cllr Cunningham-Cross:

“Will the Cabinet Leader please inform Council where York’s Fairtrade City status certificate and plaque are and confirm whether they can be displayed in a prominent place in the Guildhall until the move to West Offices?”

(viii)   To the Cabinet Leader, from Cllr Steward:

“Does the Leader consider that the Fairness Commission having zero meetings outside the ring road, zero meetings in villages and zero meetings in Conservative wards to be fair?”

(ix)     To the Cabinet Member for City Strategy, from Cllr Steward:

“Can the Cabinet Member for City Strategy confirm that with the Council’s focus on ‘fairness’ and the existing inequality between rural and urban buses he will work to address this and encourage the retention of these important rural buses?”

(x)     To the Cabinet Member for City Strategy from Cllr Aspden

“Given the delay in publishing the Air Quality Action Plan, what will the Cabinet Member be doing to ensure positive actions to improve air quality are undertaken quickly for the Fulford Road corridor?”

(xi)     To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children & Young People’s Services, from Cllr Richardson:

“Does the Cabinet Member condemn those who disrupted children’s education last week by participating in a union walk-out whilst negotiations with the Government were and are still ongoing?” 

(xii)    To the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 55.

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

(i)         To the Cabinet Leader from Cllr Steward:

“Can the Leader explain to my residents how it is fair for Labour members who are members of unions to merely ‘declare an interest’ and then be able to vote on increasing funding to the unions?”

Reply

“It is no less fair than your Conservative colleagues, Councillor Richardson and Councillor Doughty taking part in the same vote after declaring their Unite and RMT trades union memberships respectively.”

(ii)        To the Cabinet Leader, from Cllr Barton:

“What does the Leader believe is the optimum number of people to attend a Britain in Bloom information event?”

Reply

“I would say for a Britain in Bloom ‘information event’ probably two people – one officer and one cabinet member. For a ‘national awards ceremony’ where York came second for the first time I would say probably more.

I can understand your disappointment that the Liberal Democrat requested freedom of information claim for cabinet transport costs did not encourage any more criticism than one award ceremony for a scheme the previous Liberal Democrat administration signed the council up to.

I would like to place on record my disappointment of the criticism of the £1k expenditure that has arisen from almost £1k of freedom of information claims for political point scoring the opposition has made use of. This is hypocritical.

I am concerned at the unhappiness over some opposition members to the Cabinet travelling to do their duties. I have expressed this concern to both Conservative and Labour Council Leaders in the region who found the attack ridiculous.

This episode has also lost both opposition parties credibility with the private sector. One prominent local business person was not happy at the political tactic of using a freedom of information claim to attack cabinet travel. They e-mailed me to say:”

“Inevitably there will be some who lack ambition or who are complacent that will carp at these costs. These expenses will be as nothing compared to the prize of economic benefit to reward the citizens of York in years to come”.

(iii)       To the Cabinet Leader, from Cllr Runciman:

“What plans does the Cabinet Leader have to release budget information to the opposition groups?”

Reply

“None at the moment.”

(iv)       To the Cabinet Leader, from Cllr Boyce:

“Government cuts to the BBC will mean BBC Radio York losing six hours of local programmes per day and ten hours each weekend, resulting in reduced coverage of local news and York City matches, both of which are valued by residents, as well as result in diminished coverage of council business.  Will the Cabinet Leader please write to the Secretary of State for Culture, the Director General of the BBC and the Chair of BBC Governors requesting that the BBC’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.