Agenda, decisions 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.

Councillor D’Agorne declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 12 (A19 Fulford Road Corridor Update) as a resident of the Fulford Road area and Ward Councillor for Fishergate.

Councillor Scott declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 12 (A19 Fulford Road Corridor Update) as a parish councillor for Fulford and former chair of the Parish Council.

Councillor Simpson-Laing declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 12 (A19 Fulford Road Corridor Update) as her parents and other relatives lived in the Fulford Road area.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Executive Members for City Strategy and Advisory Panel held on 14 January 2008.

Members noted that the report requested in minute 80 (Petition Regarding Anti-Social Behaviour) was still outstanding and that the cross party meeting referred to in minute 81 (Petition on Affordable Housing) had not yet taken place.  They requested an email update on progress with these matters.¹

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Members for City Strategy and Advisory Panel held on 14 January 2008 be approved and signed by the Chair and the Executive Members as a correct record.

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 Friday 14 March 2008 at 5.00 pm.

It was reported that there had been three registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, from residents of Selby Road, Fulford, regarding agenda item 12 (A19 Fulford Road Corridor Update) (minute 100 refers).

Nigel Allinson outlined concerns that the proposed installation of sets of interlinked traffic signals on this part of the corridor would lead to excessive stationary traffic with resulting poorer air quality and general 'quality of life'.

Geoffrey Walker expressed the view that the proposals did not adequately address safety and access issues for residents.

Graham Cheyne raised concerns about the impact of the proposals on the street environment.

This report presents the 2008/09 Service Plans for the Chief Executive’s Directorate for Members approval.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised:

(i)           That the 2008/09 Service Plans for the Chief Executive’s Directorate, as detailed in Annexes 1-4 of the report, be approved.

Decision of the Executive Leader

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

REASON:To support the Directorate’s service improvement and performance management arrangements.

Members received a report which presented the 2008/09 Service Plans for the Chief Executive’s Directorate for approval.

In relation to the return of electoral registration forms measure in Annex 4, clarification was sought as to why the target for 2008/09 was below the current performance level, and as to how City of York Council’s performance compared to other local authorities.  In relation to the measure of the number of residents using the online Easy@York facilities for scrutiny consultation and for registering to speak at meetings, also in Annex 4, clarification was sought as to whether an increase in numbers represented an improved performance.¹

In relation to BVPI 12 (number of days lost due to sickness absence, including stress), Members expressed the view that the Directorate should be aiming for a lower sickness absence target over the three year period.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised:

(i)           That the 2008/09 Service Plans for the Chief Executive’s Directorate, as detailed in Annexes 1-4 of the report, be approved.²

Decision of the Executive Leader

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

REASON:To support the Directorate’s service improvement and performance management arrangements.

This report presents the 2008/09 Service Plans for the City Strategy Directorate for Members’ approval.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised:

(i)           That the City Strategy Directorate Service Plan for Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships 2008/09 (covering April 2008 to March 2011) be approved.

Decision of the Executive Leader

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

REASON:To support the Directorate’s service improvement and performance management arrangements and challenges facing City Strategy in the near future.

Members received a report which presented the 2008/09 Service Plans for the Economic Development & Strategic Partnerships section of the City Strategy Directorate for approval.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised:

(i)           That the City Strategy Directorate Service Plan for Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships 2008/09 (covering April 2008 to March 2011) be approved.¹

Decision of the Executive Leader

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

REASON:To support the Directorate’s service improvement and performance management arrangements and challenges facing City Strategy in the near future.

This report presents the 2008/09 Service Plans for the City Strategy Directorate for Members’ approval

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the City Strategy Directorate Service Plans for City Development & Transport, Planning & Sustainable Development, and Resource & Business Management 2008/09 (covering April 2008 to March 2011) be approved;

(ii)     That it be recommended that corporate targets be set for BVPI 11a (% of top 5% of earners who are women) and BVPI 11b (% of top 5% of earners who are from an ethnic minority).

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:To support the Directorate’s service improvement and performance management arrangements and challenges facing City Strategy in the near future.

Members received a report which presented the 2008/09 Service Plans for the  City Development & Transport, Planning & Sustainable Development, and Resource & Business Management sections of the City Strategy Directorate for approval

Members commented that the 100% target for indicator C4 (% of Building Control customers satisfied with the service) was overambitious and also suggested that the target for indicator VH37 (% of people satisfied with the condition of roads and pavements in York) should be increased, given the additional funding allocation agreed in the budget for 2008/09.

Members highlighted that sickness absence targets needed to be set either at a Directorate or a service plan level, but not both, to ensure consistency.  They also expressed the view that more ambitious targets needed to be set for BVPI 11a (% of top 5% of earners who are women) and BVPI 11b (% of top 5% of earners who are from an ethnic minority) and that this should be done at a corporate level.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the City Strategy Directorate Service Plans for City Development & Transport, Planning & Sustainable Development, and Resource & Business Management 2008/09 (covering April 2008 to March 2011) be approved;¹

(ii)     That it be recommended that corporate targets be set for BVPI 11a (% of top 5% of earners who are women) and BVPI 11b (% of top 5% of earners who are from an ethnic minority).²

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:To support the Directorate’s service improvement and performance management arrangements and challenges facing City Strategy in the near future.

This report sets out details of the proposed City Strategy Capital Programme for 2008/09, and asks the Executive Member to approve the programme.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the proposed 2008/09 City Strategy Capital Programme, as set out in the report, be approved;

(ii)     That the inclusion of the Deighton Refuges and Right Turn Lane in the Capital Programme be investigated, with no commitment.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:To implement the Council’s transport strategy identified in York’s second Local Transport Plan.

Members received a report which set out details of the proposed City Strategy Capital Programme for 2008/09, and asked the Executive Member to approve the programme.

The total value of schemes which it was proposed to undertake in 2008/09 was £7,943k.  The allocations included a Local Transport Plan (LTP) integrated transport overprogramming element of approximately £600k and there was also an additional £200k of overprogramming set against S106 schemes, which it was proposed to accommodate by using carryover S106 funding from 2007/08.

The options presented to Members were to approve the programme, as set out in the report, or to adjust the programme to include or remove schemes.

Written representations were received from Councillor Vassie, asking Members to reconsider the proposal to put the Deighton pedestrian traffic island down as a low priority in the Capital Programme for the coming year.

Members thanked officers for their work drawing up the Capital Programme and also welcomed the application to Cycling England for Cycle Demonstration Town status.

Members raised a range of queries and comments on the individual schemes within the Capital Programme, which included:

·  A request to include the businesses in Micklegate in the consultation on the Blossom Street Multi-Modal Scheme;

·  A suggestion that a scheme to extend the Heslington Lane Cycle Route in the opposite direction be included in the scheme development list;

·  A request to investigate the possibility of improving pedestrian facilities in the vicinity of the Vue Cinema at Clifton Moor.¹

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the proposed 2008/09 City Strategy Capital Programme, as set out in the report, be approved;²

(ii)     That the inclusion of the Deighton Refuges and Right Turn Lane in the Capital Programme be investigated, with no commitment.³

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:To implement the Council’s transport strategy identified in York’s second Local Transport Plan.

From 2007/08, national safety camera funding has been integrated into the Second Local Transport Plan (LTP2) funding system. This report sets out a proposal for allocating the additional road safety funding in the 2008/09 financial year.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the proposal for allocating the additional road safety funding in the 2008/09 financial year, as set out in Annex A of the report, be approved, subject to the inclusion of the Live Now, Drive Later campaign by The Press in the road safety programme.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:The Council has a target to achieve a 45% reduction in killed and serious injury casualties by 2010. The proposal should contribute towards this casualty reduction target and will help to ensure that the Council is successful in securing the road safety grant funding source until 2010/11. The proposal ensures that the grant allocation is spent on road safety behaviour change projects linked to the evidence base.

Members received a report which sets out a proposal for allocating the additional road safety funding in the 2008/09 financial year, following the integration of national safety camera funding into the Second Local Transport Plan (LTP2) funding system from 2007/08.

Members welcomed the progress made and the reduction in the number of casualties.  They highlighted the need to include The Press’s Live Now, Drive Later campaign in the road safety programme.

Members highlighted the need for all secondary schools in York to take up the SMARTRISK production and also suggested that it be offered to colleges.  They sought clarification as to whether accidents where an ambulance had attended, but not the police, were included in the figures provided.¹  They also queried whether there were sufficient funds reserved to support the use of mobile speed cameras if recommended by the Police Authority and the Assistant Director (City Development & Transport) confirmed that these could be funded via the Capital Programme.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the proposal for allocating the additional road safety funding in the 2008/09 financial year, as set out in Annex A of the report, be approved, subject to the inclusion of the Live Now, Drive Later campaign by The Press in the road safety programme.²

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:The Council has a target to achieve a 45% reduction in killed and serious injury casualties by 2010. The proposal should contribute towards this casualty reduction target and will help to ensure that the Council is successful in securing the road safety grant funding source until 2010/11. The proposal ensures that the grant allocation is spent on road safety behaviour change projects linked to the evidence base.

This report provides a review of the performance of the highway maintenance service over the last year, it examines issues arising and proposes programmes of work to be undertaken in the 2008/09 financial year.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the performance and success in 2007/08 be noted;

(ii)     That the issues arising in 2007/08 be noted;

(iii)    That the extension of existing arrangements for 2008/09 with Neighbourhood Services for the delivery of routine maintenance and the construction of footway resurfacing schemes up to a defined value be approved;

(iv)    That the extension of the term contract for Highway Surfacing for 2008/09 be approved;

(v)     That the allocation of budgets for 2008/09 be approved;

(vi)    That the implementation of the proposed programme be approved.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:To ensure delivery of highway maintenance services in an efficient and cost effective manner.

Members received a report which provided a review of the performance of the highway maintenance service over the last year, examined issues arising and proposed programmes of work to be undertaken in the 2008/09 financial year.

Members highlighted the need to look at underlying causes with problems where highway surfaces needed frequent repatching.  They also requested an update on the adoption of roads and lighting at Poppleton Park and asked officers to check that paragraph 78 of the report accurately reflected the Sustainable Street Lighting Scrutiny Sub-Committee’s recommendation regarding renewable energy.¹

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the performance and success in 2007/08 be noted;

(ii)     That the issues arising in 2007/08 be noted;

(iii)    That the extension of existing arrangements for 2008/09 with Neighbourhood Services for the delivery of routine maintenance and the construction of footway resurfacing schemes up to a defined value be approved;²

(iv)    That the extension of the term contract for Highway Surfacing for 2008/09 be approved;³

(v)     That the allocation of budgets for 2008/09 be approved;

(vi)    That the implementation of the proposed programme be approved.⁴

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:To ensure delivery of highway maintenance services in an efficient and cost effective manner.

To advise Members of action taken by the Director to implement legislative changes, taking effect from 1 April 2008, which affect the provision of Concessionary Bus Travel for eligible groups. The report also considers possible future developments in the provision of Concessionary Bus Travel.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the action taken by the Director of City Strategy to implement the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme from 1 April 2008 be approved;

(ii)     That the close monitoring of the Scheme and its financial effects be agreed, with further reports to be presented to Members, as and when appropriate, to consider possible action in respect of variations from budgeted expenditure and further development of the Scheme’s electronic capabilities.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:To support the provision of Concessionary Bus Travel for eligible groups, to assist in the transfer of travel from private cars and to help sustain the bus service network.

Members received a report which advised them of action taken by the Director to implement legislative changes, which take effect from 1 April 2008, which affect the provision of Concessionary Bus Travel for eligible groups.  It also considered possible future developments in the provision of Concessionary Bus Travel.

Members thanked officers for their work on implementing the scheme.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the action taken by the Director of City Strategy to implement the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme from 1 April 2008 be approved;

(ii)     That the close monitoring of the Scheme and its financial effects be agreed, with further reports to be presented to Members, as and when appropriate, to consider possible action in respect of variations from budgeted expenditure and further development of the Scheme’s electronic capabilities.¹

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:To support the provision of Concessionary Bus Travel for eligible groups, to assist in the transfer of travel from private cars and to help sustain the bus service network.

This report is in response to receipt of a petition that requests the extension of the 30mph speed limit in Hessay along the length of Shirbutt Lane.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That Option A be approved, and the speed limit on Shirbutt Lane be extended.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:To address the concerns of residents about the excessive speed of some vehicles on this stretch of road.

Members received a report which responded to receipt of a petition that requested the extension of the 30mph speed limit in Hessay along the length of Shirbutt Lane.

The report presented the following options for consideration:

·  Option A – To extend the speed limit along the length of Shirbutt Lane;

·  Option B – To reject the request for an extension of the speed limit but erect a traffic sign warning motorists of pedestrians in the road and mark “SLOW” on the carriageway before the junction with Low Moor Lane.

The results of a speed survey, which demonstrated that average vehicle speeds were not above the speed limit, were presented to the meeting.  It was also reported that North Yorkshire Police did not support lowering the speed limit.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That Option A be approved, and the speed limit on Shirbutt Lane be extended.¹

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:To address the concerns of residents about the excessive speed of some vehicles on this stretch of road.

This report advises Members of the results of recent public consultation on proposals to improve the A19 Fulford Road Corridor. It makes recommendations on how to progress the proposed improvement measures, taking account of the consultation findings, and seeks approval to those recommendations.

[Copies of the consultation leaflet, questionnaires and exhibition plans have been placed in the members library and will also be available for members to view at the meeting.]

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the results of the consultation, as set out in Annex A of the report, be noted;

(ii)     That the review of proposals for the corridor in the light of the findings of the consultation, as set out in Annex B of the report, be noted;

(iii)    That the recommendations in Annex B and paragraph 30 of the report be agreed;

(iv)    That further consultation be carried out, as appropriate, on individual schemes as they are developed and that the extent of any consultation be agreed with the Executive Member and/or respective ward councillors;

(v)     That any Road Traffic Regulation Orders associated with any of the improvement schemes be advertised and, subject to no objections being received, the Orders be made, with any unresolved objections being referred back to Members for consideration;

(vi)    That the Executive Member be kept fully appraised of issues related to the corridor and the progress of improvement measures, and that a further report be submitted to Members should issues arise which significantly affect the corridor.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:(i)-(ii) For background information and for assisting in the decision making process;

                        (iii) To identify a way forward for improving conditions along the corridor;

(iv)  To assist with the consultation process;

(v)    To enable any restrictions on access, turning movements, parking, loading, stopping, and the use of any sections of carriageway or footway, and any changes to speed limits to be introduced;

(vi)  For monitoring and decision making purposes.

Members received a report which advised them of the results of recent public consultation on proposals to improve the A19 Fulford Road Corridor. It made recommendations on how to progress the proposed improvement measures, which took account of the consultation findings, and sought approval of those recommendations.

Copies of the consultation leaflet, questionnaires and exhibition plans were available for Members to view at the meeting.

The report presented three options for consideration:

·  Option 1- To progress and deliver the schemes that form part of the corridor improvement strategy as proposed in Annex B and paragraph 30 of the report;

·  Option 2 – To progress and deliver the schemes that form part of the corridor improvement strategy as proposed in Annex B and paragraph 30 of the report, but with changes approved by the Executive Member;

·  Option 3 – To do nothing.

Some Members expressed concerns regarding the reliability of the consultation and Members also highlighted the need to look again at a number of issues, including the concerns of the residents of Selby Road, prior to drawing up detailed design proposals.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the results of the consultation, as set out in Annex A of the report, be noted;

(ii)     That the review of proposals for the corridor in the light of the findings of the consultation, as set out in Annex B of the report, be noted;

(iii)    That the recommendations in Annex B and paragraph 30 of the report be agreed;¹

(iv)    That further consultation be carried out, as appropriate, on individual schemes as they are developed and that the extent of any consultation be agreed with the Executive Member and/or respective ward councillors;²

(v)     That any Road Traffic Regulation Orders associated with any of the improvement schemes be advertised and, subject to no objections being received, the Orders be made, with any unresolved objections being referred back to Members for consideration;³

(vi)    That the Executive Member be kept fully appraised of issues related to the corridor and the progress of improvement measures, and that a further report be submitted to Members should issues arise which significantly affect the corridor.⁴

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:(i)-(ii) For background information and for assisting in the decision making process;

                        (iii) To identify a way forward for improving conditions along the corridor;

(iv)  To assist with the consultation process;

(v)    To enable any restrictions on access, turning movements, parking, loading, stopping, and the use of any sections of carriageway or footway, and any changes to speed limits to be introduced;

(vi)  For monitoring and decision making purposes.