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.

The Chair invited Members to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Cllr Simpson-Laing declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 5 [Financial Support to Voluntary Organisations (Chief Executives/City Strategy) 2007/2008] as an employee of Relate, and left the room and took no part in the discussion or the decision thereon.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting during consideration of Annex C to agenda item 14 on the grounds that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of the authority. This information is classed as exempt under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

RESOLVED:             That the Press & Public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Annex C to Agenda Item 14 (Petition from local residents and businesses requesting the pedestrianisation of Fossgate) on the grounds that it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of the authority. The information was classed as exempt under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2006

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Members for City Strategy and Advisory Panel held on 11 December 2006.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2006 be approved and signed by the Chair and Executive Members as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

(i)                 Minute 52 – “And in the business generally as a Member of YorkEngland.com” be deleted from the declared personal non-prejudicial interests of Cllr Merrett and added as a declared personal non-prejudicial interest for Cllr Hyman.

(ii)               Minute 57 be amended to read :

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

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, 12 January 2007 at 10am.

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

Tom Hughes registered to speak regarding Agenda Item 3, the minutes of the meeting of 11 December 2006. He stated that as his colleague Mr Warters had been denied the right to speak he would now reserve his comments for a later date.

Chris Hailey-Norris spoke regarding Agenda Item 5, Financial Support for Voluntary Organisations (Chief Executives/City Strategy) 2007/2008 as the Director of York Citizens Advice Bureau and as a member of York Compact Steering Group. He gave his thanks to the Council for their funding support  but stated that in considering three year Service Level Agreements inflation would need to be considered as other costs including rents continue to increase. CAB now received the same level of funding  as ten years ago, and reductions in staffing levels had had to be made which would in turn lead to a reduction in the services offered.

As a member of the Compact Group he reiterated the importance of awarding inflation to sustain voluntary sector services and also noted and welcomed the emphasis in the Local Area Agreement on joint working between public bodies and the voluntary and community sector.

Kate Tayler spoke for York CVS. She stated that York CVS provided the main infrastructure support for other voluntary organisations, and that funding was needed to support this. In particular an increase in funding was needed to support the work  required to promote volunteering which would benefit both the voluntary and statutory sector, and help to meet the objectives of the Local Area Agreement. 

Mr Dewhurst spoke regarding Agenda Item 12, Badger Hill Action Group Petition : Over development of family homes to student lets. He stated that he was a self-appointed spokesperson for the Badger Hill action Group, and that the petition had been signed by the majority of residents. He accepted that the problem of student housing was not unique to Badger Hill, but requested that a joint strategy between the City of York Council, the University, the Student Union and landlord representatives be developed to prevent the creation of student ghettos and to develop minimum standards and room sizes for students.

Cllr Looker spoke at the discretion of the Chair regarding Agenda Item 14, Petition from local residents and businesses requesting the pedestrianisation of Fossgate, as Ward Councillor. She stated that she was comfortable with the proposals, and that she saw the pedestrianisation of Fossgate happening in the same way as High Petergate, with pedestrian hours in line with other areas of the city centre. A letter from the Company of the Merchant Adventurers of the City of York was distributed to Members for their information. This gave general support for the pedestrianisation of Fossgate in line with the hours in other areas of the city, but voiced their concerns if it were to be closed until 10 or 11pm at night, due to problems with deliveries, disabled  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

This report advises Members of the applications received for financial support of £5,000 or over from the Chief Executive’s voluntary sector funding budget for 2007/2008. The Executive Leader is requested to consider officer recommendations to put in place a number of funding agreements, including three year agreements, for amounts up to £50,000 and to forward a recommendation to the Executive for an award of over £50,000.  The report also considers the need for a review of future options for making most effective use of the Chief Executive’s voluntary sector funding in the face of continuing budget pressures and commitments in the Local Area Agreement.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised to approve:

 (i) To put in place four new 3 year funding agreements from 2007/8 to 2010/11 at a cost of £218,042; referring the decision in respect of the proposed award to York CAB to the Executive for approval as this is over £50,000;

(ii) To put in place 3 new annual funding agreements at a cost of £31,994;

(iii)To set aside the remainder of the budget for awards of less than £5,000 and DRR awards (without accompanying grant applications) to be delegated to the Chief Officer;

(iv)To make awards subject to the receipt of satisfactory accounts and reports, where necessary, as set out in paragraph 45 of the report; 

                                    Subject to the outcome of Budget council.

(v)That the existing arrangements for staging payments to Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCO’s) be retained;

(vi) That Officers review the options for making the most effective use of the Chief Executives funding budget during the coming year, bearing in mind the commitments contained in the Local Area Agreement, and as discussed in paragraphs 17 to 23 of the report, and that the proposals be brought back to Members in due course.

Decision of the Executive Leader

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

REASON:                  (i) So that the Council can enter into Service Level Agreements with the organisations funded for the provision of a range of services for the residents of York;

                                    (ii) To notify VCO’s promptly regarding the timing and frequency of payments;

(iii) So that the most effective use can be made of the Chief Executives budget in the future.

Members considered a report which advised them of the applications received for financial support of £5000 or over from the Chief Executives voluntary sector funding budget for 2007/2008. The Executive Leader was requested to consider officer recommendations to put in place a number of funding agreements, including three year agreements, for amounts up to £50,000, and to forward a recommendation to the Executive for an award of over £50,000. The report also considered the need for a review of future options for making most effective use of the Chief Executive’s voluntary sector funding in the face of continuing budget pressures and commitments in the Local Area Agreement.

The report presented the following options in relation to the applications for funding received:

A.            Maintain existing awards as far as possible by ‘sharing out’ or ‘spreading the cost’ of the shortfall across all existing awards.

B:        Share out the available budget between all those applications which meet the funding criteria, including new applications.

C:        Make limited savings according to the relative priority of services in relation to the Chief Executive’s budget criteria and taking into account the financial circumstances of individual organisations. 

Officers updated that there was a shortfall in the budget available in relation to the requests for funding received.

Cllr Merrett stated that the Labour Group would reserve their position for Budget Council.

He expressed his concerns regarding the fact that there was no increase in funding in line with inflation.

Cllr Merrett moved an amendment to one of the recommendations of the report, that paragraph 48 be amended to read:

It is also recommended that officers review the options for making the most effective use of the Chief Executives funding budget, and whether any increases in it are required, during the coming year, bearing in mind the commitments contained in the LAA, and as discussed in paragraphs 17 to 23 above, and that proposals be brought back to Members in due course.

This was seconded by Cllr D’Agorne. This motion was put to the vote and the motion was lost.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised to approve:

 (i) To put in place four new 3 year funding agreements from 2007/8 to 2010/11 at a cost of £218,042; referring the decision in respect of the proposed award to York CAB to the Executive for approval as this is over £50,000;

(ii) To put in place 3 new annual funding agreements at a cost of £31,994;

(iii)To set aside the remainder of the budget for awards of less than £5,000 and DRR awards (without accompanying grant applications) to be delegated to the Chief Officer;

(iv)To make awards subject to the receipt of satisfactory accounts and reports, where necessary, as set out in paragraph 45 of the report; 

                                    Subject to the outcome of Budget council.

(v)That the existing arrangements for staging payments to Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCO’s) be retained;

(vi) That Officers review the options for making the most effective use of the Chief Executives  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

This report seeks approval for a policy for defensible space markings at Automatic Teller Machines (ATM’s).

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to approve Option D (Do not approve use of such markings in the York area unless they become part of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions and there is good cause to place them on the highway).

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  Because of the visual impact on the city street scene due to the proliferation of signs and lines and ongoing maintenance issues.

Members considered a report which sought approval for defensible space markings at Automatic Teller Machines.

The report presented the following options:

A.                 Agree a policy of only allowing defensible space markings, at the applicant’s expense, if the application is supported by the police because of ongoing crime in the area that is related to the ATM;

B.                 As A, but only if the ATM is outside a conservation area;

C.                As B, but each application to be considered at an Officer in Consultation meeting;

D.        Do not approve use of such markings in the York area unless they become part of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions and there is good cause to place them on the highway.

Officers updated that a letter had been received from a representative of NatWest Bank and photos were distributed for Members information showing Defensible Space Markings at their branch in Barkingside London.

Members were also updated regarding the ongoing maintenance issues that would be involved, and also the views of the police which were that the problems in York relate more to cloning of cards rather than stolen cards, and that they would support CCTV being installed rather than defensible space markings.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to approve Option D (Do not approve use of such markings in the York area unless they become part of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions and there is good cause to place them on the highway).

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  Because of the visual impact on the city street scene due to the proliferation of signs and lines and ongoing maintenance issues.

This report examines the most appropriate strategic approach to enable the programme of maintenance schemes to be prepared. The programme for 2007/08 is currently being prepared in line with procedures approved in the past but there is an opportunity to reflect the needs of other parts of the highway network asset, other than footway and carriageway surfaces, such as drainage, signs, road markings etc. The inclusion of schemes, to improve assets of this nature, can be incorporated in the full programme of work for 2007/08 and presented to Members in the Annual Highway Maintenance report, should the recommendation in this report be approved.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Approve Option 2 (To expand the existing arrangements to incorporate proposals for schemes to rehabilitate other aspects of the highway asset such as drainage, signs, road markings, street furniture, etc), for the assessment and preparation of highway maintenance works programmes for 2007/08 onwards;

(ii)               Request that Officers investigate ways to address areas of the city where there are high levels of customer concerns. 

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  (i) To achieve the most appropriate balance of work for the whole highway asset;

                                    (ii) To respond to customer concerns.

Members considered a report which examined the most appropriate strategic approach to enable the programme of maintenance schemes to be prepared. The programme for 2007/08 is currently being prepared in line with procedures approved in the past but there is an opportunity to reflect the needs of other parts of the highway network asset, other than footway and carriageway surfaces, such as drainage, signs, road markings etc. The inclusion of schemes, to improve assets of this nature, could be incorporated in the full programme of work for 2007/08 and presented to Members in the Annual Highway Maintenance report, should the recommendation be approved.

The report presented two options:

(1)       To retain the existing approach to scheme identification focussing almost entirely on surfaces.

(2)       To expand the existing arrangements to incorporate proposals for schemes to rehabilitate other aspects of the highway asset such as drainage, signs, road markings, street furniture etc.

Members discussed the paving policy in conservation areas, the changes in Best Value Performance Indicators, and the approach to addressing areas where there were high levels of customer concern regarding highway maintenance. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Approve Option 2 (To expand the existing arrangements to incorporate proposals for schemes to rehabilitate other aspects of the highway asset such as drainage, signs, road markings, street furniture, etc), for the assessment and preparation of highway maintenance works programmes for 2007/08 onwards;

(ii)               Request that Officers investigate ways to address areas of the city where there are high levels of customer concerns. 

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  (i) To achieve the most appropriate balance of work for the whole highway asset;

                                    (ii) To respond to customer concerns.

This report advises the Advisory Panel of the receipt of a petition signed by 101 residents living in the Dringhouses area, requesting that a snicket leading from St Helen’s Road into Mayfield Grove be closed at night because of problems with criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.

The report recommends that the Advisory Panel advises the Executive Member to approve Option Cand leave the snicket open to public use at the present time, pending a review of the Alleygating Policy document. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Note the petitioners request for closure;

(ii)               Approve that the snicket be left open for public use at the present time pending adoption of a new Alleygating policy (Option C);

(iii)             Request that the report be referred back to Officers with a view to a practical option for closing the snicket after nightfall being developed.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  (i) That, although it meets the criteria of the legislation, as set out in paragraphs 11 to 15 of the report, which allows the conditional closure of alleys found to be facilitating the commission of criminal and/or anti-social behaviour; the management of opening and closing gates in accordance with the conditions of the order, are not possible at the present time as a review of council policy on all alley closures is pending;

                                    (ii) To further address the issues raised in the petition.

Members considered a report which advised them of the receipt of a petition signed by 101 residents living in the Dringhouses area, requesting that a snicket leading from St Helen’s Road into Mayfield Grove be closed at night because of problems with criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.

The report presented three options:

A:        Use of S118 of the Highways Act 1980 to close the snicket;

B.                 Conditional closure of the snicket by means of a Gating Order;

C.                Do nothing at the present time and leave the snicket open to public use.    

Officers updated that the Alleygating Policy document referred to in paragraph 2 of the report would be brought to Members for consideration at the next meeting of this committee on 26 March 2007. They updated that the snicket referred to was a safe route to school route and was well used, but does need a criteria for closure due to the crime in the area.

Members discussed the issues surrounding alleygating and the reduction in crime, the current cycle usage of the snicket, and the importance of the locking and unlocking times of the gates being sensible to residents needs as well as resolving the problem of the snicket being accessible.  

 Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Note the petitioners request for closure;

(ii)               Approve that the snicket be left open for public use at the present time pending adoption of a new Alleygating policy (Option C);

(iii)             Request that the report be referred back to Officers with a view to a practical option for closing the snicket after nightfall being developed.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  (i) That, although it meets the criteria of the legislation, as set out in paragraphs 11 to 15 of the report, which allows the conditional closure of alleys found to be facilitating the commission of criminal and/or anti-social behaviour; the management of opening and closing gates in accordance with the conditions of the order, are not possible at the present time as a review of council policy on all alley closures is pending;

                                    (ii) To further address the issues raised in the petition.

This report advises the Advisory Panel of the receipt of a petition that requests the more effective enforcement of the weight restriction through the village of Dunnington.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to: 

(i) Note and support the action taken as detailed in Options A, B & C:

A.                 Request police enforcement. This has already been done.

B.                 Improve signing of both the restriction and the route to the Industrial Estate. This work is ongoing at present.

C.                Reconsider the enforcement of such restrictions when these powers are transferred to the Local Authority. This is a long term option that cannot be tackled at present;

(ii) Write to the Police Commander to request that sample weight checks are undertaken in the village and the results are reported back to the Council.    

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  To address the issues raised in the petition.

Members considered a report which advised them of the receipt of a petition that requests the more effective enforcement of the weight restriction through the village of Dunnington.

Cllr Greenwood presented a 343 signature petition to the meeting of Council on 5 October 2006. Those signing the petition supported Cllr Greenwood’s campaign for more effective enforcement of the weight restriction on vehicles which attempted to short cut through Dunnington village.

The report presented four options:

A.            Request police enforcement. This has already been done.

B.            Improved signing of both the restriction and the route to the Industrial Estate. This work is ongoing at present.

C.            Reconsider the enforcement of such restrictions when these powers are transferred to the Local Authority. This is a long term option that cannot be tackled at present.

D.        Take no further action.

Cllr SF Galloway suggested that the Executive Member for City Strategy be asked to write to the Police Commander to request that sample weight checks be undertaken in the village and the results be reported back to the Council.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to: 

(i) Note and support the action taken as detailed in Options A, B & C:

A.                 Request police enforcement. This has already been done.

B.                 Improve signing of both the restriction and the route to the Industrial Estate. This work is ongoing at present.

C.                Reconsider the enforcement of such restrictions when these powers are transferred to the Local Authority. This is a long term option that cannot be tackled at present;

(ii) Write to the Police Commander to request that sample weight checks are undertaken in the village and the results are reported back to the Council.    

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  To address the issues raised in the petition.

This report asks Members to consider a petition presented to the City of York Council seeking traffic calming along Mill Lane and ‘The Village’ and a pedestrian crossing near to the junction of Westfield Lane for school children and all pedestrians. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Note the content of the petition;

(ii)               Approve that Officers reconsider the measures proposed in 2001 and 2003, consult further with the Parish Council, and consider options to take forward for the 2007/08 capital programme;

(iii)             Approve the Officers reply to the lead petitioner on the outcome of this report. 

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  To respond to local residents concerns about the speed of traffic along Mill Lane and The Village and their aspirations for a formal crossing point near to the junction of Mill Lane and Westfield Lane.

Members considered a report which detailed a petition presented to the City of York Council seeking traffic calming along Mill Lane and The Village, and a pedestrian crossing near to the junction of Westfield Lane for school children and all pedestrians. A total of 222 signatures were received.

The report presented three options:

(i)  To consider introducing a formal pedestrian crossing at the junction of ‘The Village’ and Westfield Lane through the ‘Safer Routes to School’ Local Transport capital programme 2007-10;

(ii) To consider installing traffic calming measures as outlined in 2003 through the Local Transport capital programme 2007-10;

(iii) To take no action.

Cllr Merrett asked where this request was on the list of schemes and was updated that this scheme would be considered as part of the Capital Programme with all other schemes, but had been brought to this EMAP as a result of a petition being received.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Note the content of the petition;

(ii)               Approve that Officers reconsider the measures proposed in 2001 and 2003, consult further with the Parish Council, and consider options to take forward for the 2007/08 capital programme;

(iii)             Approve the Officers reply to the lead petitioner on the outcome of this report. 

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  To respond to local residents concerns about the speed of traffic along Mill Lane and The Village and their aspirations for a formal crossing point near to the junction of Mill Lane and Westfield Lane.

This report advises Members of the receipt of a petition from 26 residents living mainly in Ganton Place requesting the renewal of footpaths in Ganton Place.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Note the petition;

(ii)               Approve Option 1 (Erect a No Through Road sign at the Ganton Place/Leven Road junction and arrange to make safe any defects that breach the Council’s standards. Inspect the footways as part of the Council’s normal procedure for assessing the following year’s priority resurfacing schemes) 

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  (i) To comply with the current Council policy and ensure that highway maintenance budgets are expended in the most cost effective way based on the council’s assessed priorities.

                                    (ii) To advise the lead petitioner of the decision taken.

Members considered a report which advised them of the receipt of a petition from 26 residents living mainly in Ganton Place requesting the renewal of footpaths in Ganton Place. The petition also asked for a “No Through Road” sign to be placed at the entrance to Ganton Place to prevent drivers using it who think they can cut through to Don Avenue etc. Members were also asked to consider the options outlined in the report and approve the recommendations to include Ganton Place in assessments for possible inclusion in the 2007/2008 Resurfacing and Reconstruction Programme.

The report presented two options:

(i)         Erect a No Through Road sign at the Ganton Place/Leven Road junction and arrange to make safe any defects that breach the Council's standards.  Inspect the footways as part of the Council's normal procedure for assessing the following year's priority resurfacing schemes;

(ii)        Erect a No Through Road sign at the Ganton Place/Leven Road junction and carry out the works to the footway this financial year at the expense of dropping a scheme from this year's approved programme.

Officers updated that the No Through Road sign had been erected, and that as detailed in paragraph 9 of the report this scheme had been included on the Councils Provisional List of Streets to be inspected and the inspection had taken place. The scheme scored highly from a safety point of view. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Note the petition;

(ii)               Approve Option 1 (Erect a No Through Road sign at the Ganton Place/Leven Road junction and arrange to make safe any defects that breach the Council’s standards. Inspect the footways as part of the Council’s normal procedure for assessing the following year’s priority resurfacing schemes) 

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  (i) To comply with the current Council policy and ensure that highway maintenance budgets are expended in the most cost effective way based on the council’s assessed priorities.

                                    (ii) To advise the lead petitioner of the decision taken.

The purpose of this report is to inform Members of a petition received from residents of Badger Hill concerning an increasing number of family homes on the Badger Hill Estate being converted to student lets, primarily for the University of York students.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Ensure that policies H7 and H8 are enforced through the decision making process;

(ii)               Request that as part of the Local Development Framework, officers explore a policy approach to ensure student housing is accommodated in an appropriate way in the City;

(iii)             Ask Officers to advise the main petitioner of the outcome of the recommendation;

(iv)              Request that the issue be referred to the Local Development Framework Working Group for consideration. 

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  (i) To ensure that development accords with approved Local Plan policies;

                                    (ii) To help strengthen the policy approach to student lets, protecting family dwellings;

                                    (iii) To keep the petitioner informed of progress of the issues;

                                    (iv) To further address issues raised in the petition. 

Members considered a report which informed them of a petition received from residents of Badger Hill concerning an increasing number of family homes on the Badger Hill Estate being converted to student lets, primarily for the University of York students.

Officers updated that objections had been received from 54% of householders in the Badger Hill area. In planning terms, up to and including six persons can share a single household without having to apply for planning permission to change the use of the dwelling. Therefore there is no distinction between a dwelling occupied in a conventional way and that of a dwelling occupied by up to six students living together as a single household. Officers referred to policies H7 and H8, and stated that any change of policy would have to be  done through the Local Development Framework process, rather than the Local Plan.

Members discussed if any information from other Local Authorities was available, and officers updated that they would be keen to learn from any work done by other Local Authorities. As a short term measure it was important to ensure that H7 & H8 was enforced through the decision making process.

Cllr Merrett stated that the petition highlighted issues which the Labour Group had tried to address in putting forward a policy in the Local Plan regarding the University accommodating all student generated demand. 

Cllr Merrett proposed a motion that an additional recommendation be added, to set up a working group to look at a strategy to address this issue, involving the University, other higher education institutions and residents.

This motion was seconded by Cllr Simpson-Laing. The motion was put to the vote and the motion was lost.

Members requested that the issue be referred to the LDF Working Group for consideration. Cllr Simpson-Laing requested that her request for this to be done within the next three months be minuted.   

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Ensure that policies H7 and H8 are enforced through the decision making process;

(ii)               Request that as part of the Local Development Framework, officers explore a policy approach to ensure student housing is accommodated in an appropriate way in the City;

(iii)             Ask Officers to advise the main petitioner of the outcome of the recommendation;

(iv)              Request that the issue be referred to the Local Development Framework Working Group for consideration. 

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  (i) To ensure that development accords with approved Local Plan policies;

                                    (ii) To help strengthen the policy approach to student lets, protecting family dwellings;

                                    (iii) To keep the petitioner informed of progress of the issues;

                                    (iv) To further address issues raised in the petition. 

A petition from 78 residents who live in Langholme Drive, Acomb, York was presented to the Council on 13 November 2006. The petition asks that the Council look at the verges in the street, the footpath, and the width of the road and to carry out improvement works which will make access and egress of the street easier for vehicular traffic. Members are asked to consider the options outlined in the report and approve the recommendation.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to adopt Option 3; to prepare a further report and a comprehensive policy on access/parking issues in narrow streets in the City.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  So that the petition can be considered in relation to other similar streets in the City.

Members considered a report which informed them of a petition received from 78 residents who live in Langholme Drive, Acomb, York, which was presented to Council on 13 November 2006. The petition asked that the Council look at the verges in the street, the footpath, and the width of the road and that it carry out improvement works which would make access and egress of the street easier for vehicular traffic.

Photographs of the street were circulated at the meeting for Members information.

The report presented four options:

Option 1: Widen the existing footways to 2.0m.  This would leave a verge width of 1.9m and the road, untouched at 5.0m;

Option 2: Widen the existing footways to 2.0m and block pave the verges.  The existing kerbs would be removed and replaced with a channel to allow vehicles to easily run onto the block paving.  The footway would be protected by a 'pin' kerb;

Option 3: Prepare a further report and a comprehensive policy on access/parking issues in narrow streets for Members to consider and approve in the future;

Option 4: Consider parking restrictions on one or both sides of the road.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to adopt Option 3; to prepare a further report and a comprehensive policy on access/parking issues in narrow streets in the City.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  So that the petition can be considered in relation to other similar streets in the City.

This report advises the Executive Members of the receipt of a petition from residents and businesses of Fossgate requesting that the street be pedestrianised. The report recommends feasibility work be undertaken to investigate whether such a scheme is possible and the potential implications should it be introduced.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Note the content of the petition, and ask Officers to investigate the expansion of the Footstreets Pedestrian Priority Zone and specifically to include Fossgate in that investigation;

(ii)               Request that Officers reply to the lead petitioner.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  (i) To enable the proposed scheme to be properly assessed and for accurate costs to be calculated to enable it to be prioritised against other potential pedestrian schemes for potential capital programme funds;

                                    (ii) To inform the lead petitioner of the decision.

Members considered a report which advised them of the receipt of a petition from residents and businesses of Fossgate requesting that the street be pedestrianised. The report recommends feasibility work to be undertaken to investigate whether such a scheme is possible and the potential implications should it be introduced.

Members discussed the importance of ensuring disabled access with reference to a letter submitted by the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York, and the issues regarding access and servicing for businesses.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Note the content of the petition, and ask Officers to investigate the expansion of the Footstreets Pedestrian Priority Zone and specifically to include Fossgate in that investigation;

(ii)               Request that Officers reply to the lead petitioner.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  (i) To enable the proposed scheme to be properly assessed and for accurate costs to be calculated to enable it to be prioritised against other potential pedestrian schemes for potential capital programme funds;

                                    (ii) To inform the lead petitioner of the decision.