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 any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Councillor Holvey declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda items  4 and 5 (Chief Executive’s Performance and Financial Year End Report 2005/06 and Economic Development Programme 2006/07) as an employee of Leeds City Council.

Councillors D’Agorne and Merrett declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 11 (Public Rights of Way – Petition Seeking Closure of a Snicket Leading from Stratford Way, Huntington, onto New Lane) in so far as discussion related to cycling, as they were members of Cycling England. In addition, Councillor D’Agorne was a member of the Cyclist’s Touring Club, and Councillor Merrett was an honorary member of the Cyclist’s Touring Club.

Councillor D’Agorne declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 12 (Car Club – Update) as he had registered an interest in joining the Car Club.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Leader and Advisory Panel held on 20^th March 2006.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Member for Planning and Transport and Advisory Panel held on 28^th February 2006.

RESOLVED:    i) That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Leader and Advisory Panel held on 20 March 2006 be approved and signed as a correct record;

   ii)That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Member for Planning and Transport and Advisory Panel held on 28 February 2006 be approved and signed as a correct record;

In answer to a question, Officers confirmed that the report back on Minute 83(iii) (The “Cycle Challenge” Project – Planning and Transport EMAP, 28 February 2006) would come back to the September meeting of the Panel. 

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Panel’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is 6^th June 2006 at 10.00am.

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

Peter Garbutt, a resident of Stratford Way, Huntington spoke regarding agenda item 11 (Public Rights of Way – Petition Seeking Closure of a Snicket Leading from Stratford Way, Huntington, onto New Lane) (minute 11 refers). He requested Members to consider residents concerns regarding crime and anti-social behaviour when looking at the implementation of a Traffic Regulation Order and signing of the snicket.

Councillor David Scott, Ward Member spoke regarding agenda item 9 (Petition from the residents of St Philip’s Grove requesting traffic calming or the road to be blocked off) (minute 9 refers). He referred to residents perceptions of traffic dangers on St Philip’s Grove and their request that members examine alternatives to Speed Watch.

Val Whittle, Denise Dodd and Heather Dolling all spoke regarding agenda item 10 (Petition from residents of Copmanthorpe requesting a new footway on Temple Lane) (minute 10 refers). Representations were made on behalf of residents of Copmanthorpe regarding difficulties encountered by residents in not having a footpath on Temple Lane. In particular they referred to the narrow verge, lack of street lighting which made the area more unsafe at night for use by residents and the Lanes regular use by caravans and large agricultural vehicles.

This is an out-turn report to inform Members about the 05/06 year end position on performance against actions and targets relating to high level deliverables, critical success factors and Local and Best Value Performance Indicators. Members are asked to note the year-end performance and financial position and make recommendations with regards to revenue carry forward bids and capital funding.

Members considered an out-turn report which informed them of the 2005/06 year end position on performance against actions and targets relating to high level deliverables, critical success factors and Local and Best Value Performance Indicators. The report also reported on the capital and revenue financial out-turns for the Chief Executive’s Directorate.

Members questioned the Civic, Democratic & Legal Services under spend in particular relating to the External Consultancy budget in Legal Services. Concern was also expressed regarding the low number of performance appraisals completed by the end of July, response times to Stage 3 complaints, project slippage on Ward Committee schemes and the reasons for no savings being made in Corporate Human Resources.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised:  

i)                    That the performance and financial out-turn position for 2005/06 be noted subject to carrying forward bids totalling £80K as detailed in paragraph 58 of the report;

ii)       Carrying forward £98K of capital slippage as outlined in paragraph    60 of the report;

ii)                  That Officers email Members of the Panel additional information in relation to the following points

·  Details of the under spend in the Safer Cities budget (Civic, Democratic & Legal Services)

·  York Pride Action Line (YPLA) customer contact satisfaction details

·  Reasons for lack of improvement in response times to Stage 3 complaints (Customer First)

·  No savings being made in the Corporate HR budget

·  Details of the Ward Committee capital schemes which have slipped

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decisions, above, be endorsed.

REASON:      To prevent further slippage or non completion on the projects and actions identified and to ensure that schemes can be completed.

The report, and the programme set out in the more detailed schedule in the Annex, sets out key issues, priorities and actions for next year.  This follows discussion at the Economic Development Board on 14 March 2006 and Members are asked to agree the programme.

Members considered a report which set out key issues, priorities and actions for the Economic Development Programme for 2006/07. The wider, strategic framework for the Council’s economic development programme which was provided by the ”Thriving City” theme within the Community Plan for 2004/014, for which the Economic Development Board had lead responsibility.

Members questioned aspects of the points raised in the consultation section of the report.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised to approve the report and the Economic Development Programme for 2006/07;

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decision, be endorsed.

REASON:                  For the effective delivery of activity and achieving corporate objectives.

This report presents two sets of data for Economic Development including draft outturn figures for capital and revenue expenditure for the financial year 2005/06, and outturn (2005/06) performance against target for a number of key indicators.

Members considered a report which set out draft out-turn figures for Economic Development for capital and revenue expenditure for the 2005/06 financial year and the out-turn for 2005/06 performance against target for a number of key indicators.

The key indicators were made up of

• Best Value Performance Indicators owned by Economic Development
• Customer First targets (letter answering)
• Staff Management Targets (sickness absence)

In answer to Members concerns regarding the fall in take up of stalls on Newgate Market Officers confirmed that an action plan had been prepared and additional measures were being put in place to try and reverse the decline.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

i)                   That the Executive Leader be advised to note the Economic Development provisional performance, revenue and capital out turn for 2005/06;

ii)                 That, subject to the approval of the Executive,  the Executive Leader be advised to approve the carry forward of the City Centre Partnership budget as detailed in paragraph 10.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decisions, above, be endorsed.

REASON:In accordance with budgetary and monitoring procedures.

This report seeks to update Members on the Electoral Administration Bill and secondary legislation and puts forward a bid for future Government funding.

Members considered an update report on the Electoral Administration Bill and secondary legislation and which put forward a bid for future Government funding. 

Officers confirmed that the Electoral Administration Bill was currently before Parliament and sought to introduce significant changes to the administration and conduct of electoral registration and elections. It was expected that all the measures would be introduced in time for the May 2007 local government elections. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised to approve the £40K funding set aside for the Electoral registration budget for 2006/07

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decision, above, be endorsed.

REASON:In order to comply with and introduce the measures which will be introduced by the Electoral Administration Bill and secondary legislation.

The purpose of this report is to update Members on the meeting of the Board on 19 May and on progress with the York Central project since the previous update in March.

Members considered a report, circulated following publication of the agenda, which confirmed that good progress was being made on the York Central project since the previous update in March 2006. Details were reported of the meeting of the York Central Steering Board held on 19 May 2006 and it was indicated that the programme was on course to appoint a developer in Spring 2007.

In answer to Members questions Officers confirmed that the majority of the results of studies by environmental and rail consultants would be confined to the Steering Board and that it was not anticipated that this information would be made public.

Officers also confirmed that there may be possible funding available from Yorkshire Forward to employee additional resources to shorten the timescales involved in this scheme.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised to note the contents of the report.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decision, above, be endorsed.

REASON:To keep Members updated with progress on the York Central project.

This report advises the Executive Member of the receipt of a petition from residents of St Philip’s Grove, Clifton requesting traffic calming or the road to be blocked off. St Philip’s Grove is a residential street with a 30 mph speed limit. The report recommends responding to resident’s concerns with the Community Speed Watch initiative.

Members considered a report which reported receipt of a petition from residents of St Philip’s Grove, Clifton requesting traffic calming or the road to be blocked off.

Officers outlined details of the “mean” speed used when undertaking the speed survey on St Philip’s Grove which indicated that although the road was perceived by residents as a “rat run” the evidence did not back this up. In answer to questions Officers confirmed that data from this survey would be  retained as a comparator for other streets.

Members requested that if the recommendation was approved that a timescale should be set for reporting back on the success of the initiative.

Consideration was then given to the following options

1. Respond to resident’s concerns with the Community Speed Watch initiative. The road safety team recognised that resident’s could feel threatened by traffic speed even when data showed that there was not a measurable speed problem. The initiative would help residents to take a stance against any drivers who felt that it was acceptable to drive too fast on St Philip’s Grove.

2. Implement traffic calming on St Philip’s Grove. However, road safety capital expenditure was evidence led and the data did not justify spending on physical measures.

3. Block off St Philip’s Grove. The speed survey diud not justify this course of action. Network Management would object to this option as there was no safe location for any vehicle to turn around and insufficient highway land to allow the construction of suitable facilities at any point along its length. Without such facilities large vehicles such as refuse wagons would either have to reverse into the street and then up to the point of closure or reverse out. Either scenario would put pedestrians and property at risk in St Philip’s Grove and the latter would pose a safety problem at the two main junctions.

4. Take no action.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised:

ii)                  That the content of the petition be noted;

ii)      That approval be given to the Community Speed Watch initiative in response to the petition;

iii)      That Officers reply to the lead petitioner on the outcome of the report;

iv)        That Officers, in consultation with Ward Members, be given delegated authority to consider a report on the success of the initiative in 6 months.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decisions, above, be endorsed.

REASON:To try and alleviate the perceived danger problems on St Philip’s Grove and to empower the residents in this respect.

This report advises the Executive Members of the receipt of a petition from residents of Copmanthorpe requesting a new footway link on Temple Lane.  The report recommends further feasibility work be undertaken to estimate the latest cost implications of the scheme.

Consideration was given to a report which reported receipt of a petition from residents of Copmanthorpe requesting a new footway link on Temple Lane.

Officers confirmed that this scheme had been one of several put forward as a result of the Copmanthorpe Village Traffic Study in 1999/2000 and was included as a reserve scheme in the 2005/06 capital programme but funding pressures meant the scheme was deferred. Feasibility work undertaken at the time had shown several areas of concern that would affect the cost of the scheme relating to the presence of utilities on the verge, potential problems with drainage and the fact that land may have to be acquired to provide a footway of sufficient width.

Local Members supported the provision of this essential link in the footway and requested costing of the scheme and implementation as soon as possible.  Officers confirmed that in the short term a vehicle activated sign was to be erected out of Ward Committee funds but that all aspects of safety would be examined  in the feasibility study which may include other safety features.

Members considered the two options available

a)     to investigate the costs of providing the footway by commissioning  further feasibility work, or;

b)  to reject the proposal.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised:

i)                    That the contents of the petition be noted and Officers be asked to commission further feasibility work ;

ii)                  That it be noted that the results of the feasibility work will be fed into the annual scheme prioritisation process;

iii)                That  Officers reply to the lead petitioner on the Panels decision;

iv)                That Officers report back to the Panel on the outcome of the feasibility work.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decisions, above, be endorsed.

REASON: To contribute towards making Temple Lane, Copmanthorpe safer for pedestrians.

This report advises the Executive Member of the receipt of a petition signed by 70 residents living in Stratford Way, Huntington, requesting the closure of a snicket leading from Stratford Way onto New Lane, because of problems with criminal activity and anti-social behaviour. The report recommends that the snicket remains open for public use, including the installation of combined vehicle/pedestrian access gates.

Members considered a report which reported receipt of a petition signed by 70 residents living in Stratford Way, Huntington, requesting the closure of a snicket leading from Stratford Way, Huntington. The request related to problems encountered in the area with criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.

Officers confirmed that the snicket was an adopted highway in the control of the City of York Council and was therefore a public right of way. Its purpose was to provide an emergency access and route for pedestrians from New Lane into Stratford Way, which was a cul de sac.

Members questioned if the proposed gates would be adequate for disabled users and complied with DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) guidelines, if details were available of the incidences of crime in the area and whether better signage could be erected.

Consideration was given to the following options

Option A.            Do nothing and leave the snicket open to public use.

Option B.            Use S118 of the Highways Act 1980 to close the snicket.

Option C.            Close the snicket by means of a Gating Order.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to accept Option A and agree to

i)                    Note the petitioners’ request for closure; and   

ii)                  Refuse the request on the grounds that there is presently no available legislation, which would allow the closure of this emergency access route.

iii)                Explore the possibility of installing a metal construction combined vehicle and pedestrian access gate at each end of the snicket, which would still allow the lawful use by pedestrians, cyclists and the emergency services, but deter unlawful use by motorcyclists. Further consultations on the access gates to be undertaken with local residents and Ward Members.

iv)                Consider the effectiveness of the gates in 12 months time, against updated crime statistics.  If required, consider applying for a Gating Order under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, in accordance with the revised City of York Council Alleygating Policy, which is currently under review.

v)                  Refer the matters raised in the petition to North Yorkshire Police, for them to try and address the problems faced by the residents of Stratford Way, by the use of target led patrols in the area, in line with new Neighbourhood Policing Team strategies.

vi)        Officers to investigate further the request for a Traffic Regulation Order.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decisions, above, be endorsed.

REASON:To try and alleviate problems with criminal activity and anti social behaviour in this area as there is presently no available legislation, which would allow the closure of this emergency access route.

This report provides an update on the position regarding the city car club project, which The Executive Member and Advisory Panel are asked to note, together with a recommendation to waive the parking tariff for car club bays within Council car parks for at least the first two years of operation.

Members considered an update report on the position regarding the city car club project, the development of which had been contained within the Council’s second Local Transport Plan. Consideration was also given to a further update report, circulated at the meeting, which detailed the selection process undertaken in the choice of the final operator and the Officers recommendation.

Officers displayed a map of the area which showed areas of the city where surveys had been undertaken and positive interest received. The map also showed new developments where Section 106 negotiations had taken place, together with reasonably new development areas highlighted.

Members thanked Officers for progress made and the work undertaken in the selection process for obtaining a operator for the club. They questioned the type of vehicles proposed, length of partnership, the need for consultation on how the vehicle bays would be marked up and consultation with the Police on siting etc.

The report presented two options for consideration

a)     Approval of the previous report agreed to a discounted tariff for the bays in Council car parks.  Subsequent officer consideration of this (including discussions with the independent advisory charity CarPlus), leads to the conclusion that the Council should waive any tariff for at least the first 2 years of operation, with a review after this period and then annually thereafter.

b)       The alternative would be for the Council to impose a charge on the operator for the designation of bays for sole use by car club cars.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised

i)          To note the contents of this report, together with the supplementary update made at the meeting.

ii)         To agree that a further progress report is presented in the late   Autumn.

iii)        Approve the appointment of WhizzGo as the selected operator to provide a car club in York for a 5 year period.

iv)        To approve that  for the first two years of operation no parking tariff will   be sought by the Council relating to car club bays established within Council car parks. This will be reviewed at the end of this period and annually thereafter.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decisions, above, be endorsed.

REASON: To encourage the development of a car club in the city in accordance with Council Policy and wider objectives. 

The purpose of this report is to set out progress on the major schemes in the Planning and Transport capital programme during the financial year 2005/06. It is the outturn report for 2005/06 and reports on budget spend to the end of March 2006.

Consideration was given to a report which set out progress on the major schemes in the Planning and Transport capital programme during the 2004/06 financial year. This included reports on outturn for 2005/06 and budget spend to the end of March 2006.

Members made the under mentioned comments in relation to the report

• Need to sort out parking problems related to the kerb height for buses at the Low Ousegate bus stop.
• There were gaps in the CCTV system eg Nexus/Mcmillans which needed addressing.
• Disappointment with aspects of the BLISS bus information system displays.
• Haxby Station questioned progress with the scheme.
• Rufforth School Safety Zone, questioned overspend.
• Queen Street bridge cycle lane which was narrow and in close proximity to railings.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to

i)          note the significant progress made in 2005/06 in implementing the Planning and Transport capital programme.

ii)            note the financial implications indicated in paragraphs 132 -133.

iii)        approve the proposed funding of the overspend as indicated in paragraph 132, subject to the approval of the Executive.

iv)        approve the proposed carryovers as outlined in paragraphs 134 -  137, subject to the approval of the Executive.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decisions, above, be endorsed.

REASON:                 To manage the Capital Programme effectively.

This report presents two sets of data from the City Strategy Directorate including the outturn figures for revenue expenditure and capital expenditure for the Planning and Transport portfolio, and outturn (2005/06) performance against target for a number of key indicators.

Members considered a report which presented the out turn figures for revenue  and capital expenditure for the Planning and Transport portfolio together with the 2005/06 out turn performance against target for a number of key indicators that were made up of the following

• Best Value Performance Indicators owned by Planning and Transport
• Customer First targets (letter answering)
• Staff Management Targets (sickness absence)

Members expressed their thanks to Officers for the balancing the budget and for the provisional out turn figures.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to approve the financial and performance position of the portfolio.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decision, above, be endorsed.

REASON: To update Members on the budgetary and performance monitoring procedures.

This report sets out the performance of the City Strategy Member Enquiry system, based in Business and Policy Development, from January 1^st 2005 to December 31^st 2005. Members are asked to note the improvement in performance and to continue to lend their support to the system.

Members considered a report which set out the performance of the City Strategy Member Enquiry system, based in Business and Policy Development, from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005.

Officers referred to the increase in items received, improvements in performance together with an increase in compliments received.

Members congratulated Officers on the significant improvements made to the service.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised

i)          To note the increase in performance and other key areas from 2004 to 2005.

ii)               To note the content of this report and to continue to support the Member enquiry system.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decisions, above, be endorsed.

REASON: To update the Executive Member on the performance of the Member Enquiry System in City Strategy.