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.

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

Councillor D’Agorne declared personal non-prejudicial interests in Agenda Item 7 (Secure Cycle Parking) and Agenda Item 12 (City Strategy 2007/08 Capital Programme Consolidated report as he was a member of the Cycling Touring Club.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Members for City Strategy and Advisory Panel held on 6 June 2007.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th June 2007 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 13 July 2007 at 5 pm.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Councillor Vassie spoke on Agenda Item 5 (Bus Services in Elvington). He had previously presented a petition to Council signed by over 300 residents in the village.  He felt that the Council should show faith in public transport as it was important for social, economic and environmental reasons. He said that the Friday evening bus service in Wheldrake village had proved to be very popular and queried whether this still needed to be subsidised. He suggested that the feasibility of transferring the subsidy from the established service in Wheldrake to set up a new Friday night service in Elvington be explored as a way forward. The Wheels for Work scheme could also be looked at as a way of assisting young persons to get to work or college. It was requested that Officers explore the viability of this.

This report sets out a proposal for the development of the York Tourism Partnership. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised to:

·              Endorse the arrangements for establishing a new tourism partnership in York as set out in the report.

Decision of the Executive Leader

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

REASON:                                       This will enable the Council and tourism partners to deliver transformation change in developing York as a European destination.

Members considered a report which advised them of the proposal for the development of the York Tourism Partnership.

Officers updated that there was an error in the last sentence of paragraph 6 of the report and this should read ‘The Chairman of the CLG would be expected to work on tourism partnership basis for an average of one day a week…’.

Members discussed the new structure proposals which would comprise a board of 13 directors, including 3 nominated by the City of York Council. The Chair and 8 other directors would be sought by open recruitment by advertisement, the remaining board position would be filled by the Chief Executive. Members thought that changes should be for the benefit of the city and realised they would face challenges as part of the streamlining of the tourism industry.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Leader be advised to:

·              Endorse the arrangements for establishing a new tourism partnership in York as set out in the report.

Decision of the Executive Leader

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

REASON:                                       This will enable the Council and tourism partners to deliver transformation change in developing York as a European destination.

This report asks Members to consider a petition presented by Councillor Vassie to Council on 12 April 2007, seeking better bus services for Elvington. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Approve that the Director of City Strategy be directed to explore with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, East Yorkshire Motor Services, and other bus companies whether or not any potentially beneficial changes can be made to the existing bus service through Elvington at no additional cost to the Council.

(ii)               Approve that the Director of City Strategy is directed to consider the need and feasibility for bus service improvements for Elvington when development work is undertaken to implement the Bus Strategy within the Council’s Local Transport Plan.

(iii)             Approve that Officers explore the feasibility of a Friday night bus service to and from Elvington. The Friday night bus service in Wheldrake has been extremely successful and it may be possible to transfer the subsidy offered to that service to assist setting up a similar service in Elvington.

(iv)              Approve that Officers ask other bus service providers if they are interested in providing a bus service to Elvington.

(v)                Approve that Officers re-look at providing the Wheels to Work Service in this area.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                             

(i)                 To seek a positive response to the petitioners’ requests, which might improve patronage of the bus service, without incurring additional expenditure by the Council.

(ii)               To ensure that the villagers’ needs and aspirations are considered and assessed in conjunction with other desired improvements to the City’s bus service network.

Members considered a report which advised them of the receipt of a petition signed by a number of residents in Elvington. The petitioners objected to the limited bus service in the village and requested improvements be made so all residents could have reasonable access to local amenities and to York City Centre.

The Officer, in response to Councillor Vassie’s comments, said that the Wheels to Work scheme would be a more cost effective solution to providing access to employment for young people.

The report presented the following two options:

Option 1        Take no immediate action, but continue to look for any realistic opportunities to improve the service in the future.

Option 2        Allocate additional funding to enhance the present service, guided by the petitioners’ aspirations, possibly on a trial basis until August 2008, or for a longer period in conjunction with an extension of the current contractual arrangement. This report makes no suggestions as to the possible source of any such funding.

Members discussed the possibility of incorporating Elvington into an already established bus route but it was thought that if this happened it would be at the expense of other journeys. They agreed to take Councillor Vassie’s comments into consideration and requested Officers explore the possibilities surrounding them.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

(i)                 Approve that the Director of City Strategy be directed to explore with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, East Yorkshire Motor Services, and other bus companies whether or not any potentially beneficial changes can be made to the existing bus service through Elvington at no additional cost to the Council.

(ii)               Approve that the Director of City Strategy is directed to consider the need and feasibility for bus service improvements for Elvington when development work is undertaken to implement the Bus Strategy within the Council’s Local Transport Plan.

(iii)             Approve that Officers explore the feasibility of a Friday night bus service to and from Elvington. The Friday night bus service in Wheldrake has been extremely successful and it may be possible to transfer the subsidy offered to that service to assist setting up a similar service in Elvington.

(iv)              Approve that Officers ask other bus service providers if they are interested in providing a bus service to Elvington.

(v)                Approve that Officers re-look at providing the Wheels to Work Service in this area.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:                             

(i)                 To seek a positive response to the petitioners’ requests, which might improve patronage of the bus service, without incurring additional expenditure by the Council.

(ii)               To ensure that the villagers’ needs and aspirations are considered and assessed in conjunction with other desired improvements to the City’s bus service network.

This report asks Members to consider a petition presented by Councillor Potter to Full Council on 12 April 2007, objecting to recent fare rises on First York buses, and calling upon the Council to make more effort to resist future fare increases.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

1.      Note the content of the report, in particular, the Council’s success in persuading First York to introduce a discounted Family Ticket and to reverse the 100% increase in child single fares introduced in January 2006.

2.      Approve that the Council continues to have constructive dialogue with First York Ltd. about the fares being charged, with the aim of encouraging the Company to moderate increases as much as possible.

3.      Approve that Officers bring a report to a later meeting of the Executive Members for City Strategy and Advisory Panel contrasting ‘like for like’ bus fares in York and other Local Authorities and also within York itself.

4.      Approve that Officers further examine the options regarding cross-ticketing.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:

(i)       Whilst the rate at which the cost of using bus services is a cause for concern, it is recognised that the Council’s ability to influence this is both severely limited and constrained.

(ii)     To ensure that the Company appreciates the Council’s concerns and is persuaded to take them into consideration when reviewing charges for the use of its services.

Members considered a report which advised them of the receipt of a petition, signed by residents in the Heslington area of York, objecting to recent fare rises on First York buses.

An e-mail from Councillor Potter was circulated to Members which raised the following points:

·        Acknowledges the success of a discounted family ticket but notes that it is still more expensive than in many other much larger cities and asks that comparisons are made and pressure brought to bear on First York.

·        Welcomes the reversal of the child single fare increase.

·        Notes that some bus fares increased by between 55% and 59% between 2003 and 2007. The cost of using buses in York stops people from using this environmentally friendly option for travelling and does not encourage people to stop using their cars.

Officers reiterated that the Council had no control over bus prices and could only exert a small amount of influence.

Members raised and discussed the following points:

·        cross-ticketing/network ticketing

·        the prices of tickets in other Local Authority areas where First provide the bus services and their comparison with those in York

·        the Yozone Card and First’s compliance with this and the fact that it cannot be used after 9:30pm

·        the number of people using public transport in York has increased over recent years

·        City of York Council has very little influence over the prices set by First

·        City of York Council has successfully used influence in the past, especially in introducing the Yozone card and reversing the decision on an increase in child single fares

·        the Park and Ride service in York is an excellent and profitable service

·        the various other bus companies operating within York and their ticket prices

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

1.      Note the content of the report, in particular, the Council’s success in persuading First York to introduce a discounted Family Ticket and to reverse the 100% increase in child single fares introduced in January 2006 for younger children and YoZone card holders.

2.      Approve that the Council continues to have constructive dialogue with First York Ltd. about the fares being charged, with the aim of encouraging the Company to moderate increases as much as possible.

3.      Approve that Officers bring a report to a later meeting of the Executive Members for City Strategy and Advisory Panel contrasting ‘like for like’ bus fares in York and other Local Authorities and also within York itself.

4.      Approve that Officers further examine the options regarding cross-ticketing.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:

(i)       Whilst the rate at which the cost of using bus services is a cause for concern, it is recognised that the Council’s ability to influence this is both severely limited and constrained.

(ii)     To ensure that the Company appreciates the Council’s concerns and is persuaded to take them into consideration when reviewing charges for the use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

This report informs the Advisory Panel of the current situation regarding the provision of cycle parking both in the city centre and elsewhere in the authority area. It also suggests potential improvements which can be made to improve both the level of security and the level of provision.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

1.      Endorse the proposals discussed in paragraphs 26 to 35 of the report and ask Officers  to investigate these in conjunction with other city centre schemes such as the review of the Footstreets Pedestrian Priority Zone and the City Centre Events Review.

2.      Recommend that Officers bring a further report back to the panel in late Autumn 2007 at which point the results of the survey work will be known and specific sites identified as requiring action.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

REASON:                 

(i)     To enable an holistic solution to be achieved that will not only benefit cyclists but also help other

users of the city centre.

(ii)   To keep Members appraised of specific measures proposed and at which sites.

Members considered a report regarding the provision of cycle parking both in the city centre and elsewhere in the authority area. It also suggests potential improvements which could be made to improve both the level of security and the level of provision.

Officers updated that there was a review of the CCTV system in the City happening at the moment.

Members discussed the merits of the different kind of bicycle stands and agreed that the butterfly stands should be replaced for Sheffield stands as soon as possible. Some Members felt that the condition of the stands could be monitored more effectively as some of the city centre ones were in a poor state of repair.  The possibility of locating more stands in Parliament Street was discussed and it was realised that there was a lot of competition for space in this area. Discussions were also had concerning the facilities for parking cycles with trailers attached as these were now more widely used. It was hoped that facilities could be provided as and when the current stands were refurbished. Members welcomed the work on secure cycle parking but thought that more needed to be done regarding the siting of the parking areas.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

1.      Endorse the proposals discussed in paragraphs 26 to 35 of the report and ask Officers  to investigate these in conjunction with other city centre schemes such as the review of the Footstreets Pedestrian Priority Zone and the City Centre Events Review.

2.      Recommend that Officers bring a further report back to the panel in late Autumn 2007 at which point the results of the survey work will be known and specific sites identified as requiring action.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

REASON:                 

(i)     To enable an holistic solution to be achieved that will not only benefit cyclists but also help other

users of the city centre.

(ii)   To keep Members appraised of specific measures proposed and at which sites.

This report briefs Members on an initiative by YHAUC to improve service standards for Utilities and Highway works through a voluntary charter entered into by highway authorities and utilities throughout Yorkshire.

Members are asked to approve the recommendation that the City of York Council is a co-signatory to the Charter.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

·        Approve the adoption of the YHAUC Charter and nominate the Executive Member for City Strategy to sign on behalf of City of York Council.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  To continue to assist with, and improve, the working relationship with utilities for the benefit of highway users and the highway asset itself,

Members considered a report on an initiative by Yorkshire Highways and Utilities Committee (YHAUC) to improve service standards for Utilities and Highway works through a voluntary charter entered into by highway authorities and utilities throughout Yorkshire.

The following options were presented within the report:

Option 1        For the City of York Council to sign the Charter

Option2         Non-signature of the Charter

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

·        Approve the adoption of the YHAUC Charter and nominate the Executive Member for City Strategy to sign on behalf of City of York Council.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  To continue to assist with, and improve, the working relationship with utilities for the benefit of highway users and the highway asset itself.

This report advises Members of the receipt of a petition in the form of a question and tick box answer survey, presented by Councillor Ruth Potter.

The petitioners object to the Council replacing the existing defective precast concrete paving slabs with a new bituminous surfacing.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

1.      Note the receipt of the petition.

2.      Approve Option 1 in paragraph 15 of the report.

3.      Advise the lead petitioner of the decision taken by Members.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

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

Members considered a report which advised them of the receipt of a petition signed by 10 residents of Chaucer Street. The petitioners object to the City of York Council replacing the existing defective precast concrete paving slabs with a new bituminous surfacing.

An e-mail from Councillor Potter was circulated to Members which raised the following points:

·        The footpath is fine and at the moment is comprised of very nice flagstones

·        Residents are happy with the existing flagstones

Members sought clarification from the Officer as to whether this street was in a conservation area and he confirmed that it was not.

Members were presented with the following options:

Option 1        Continue with the scheme as designed in accordance with the current paving policy

Option 2        Leave the street as it is in order to comply with the residents wishes and carry out minor works scheme to replace broken flags

Option 3        Refer it to the ward committee for the extra over funding to provide and lay thicker pre-cast concrete flagstones on an enhanced foundation

It was proposed and seconded to change the recommendation to approve option 2. When put to the vote the amendment

was lost.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

1.      Note the receipt of the petition.

2.      Approve Option 1 in paragraph 15 of the report.

3.      Advise the lead petitioner of the decision taken by Members.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

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

This report brings to the attention of the Advisory Panel the receipt of objections to proposed changes to the waiting restrictions on Heworth Green and seeks approval to overturn the objections and implement the restrictions.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

·        Implement the proposals as advertised and inform the objectors of this decision.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  Because the road space is required for the introduction of the improvements that form part of the section 278 agreements related to the new developments.

Members considered a report which brought to their attention the receipt of objections to proposed changes to the waiting restrictions on Heworth Green and sought approval to overturn the objections and implement the restrictions.

Officers updated that comments had been received from Councillors Potter, B Watson and D’Agorne. These were circulated at the meeting and were as follows:

·        There is very little parking in the area and displaced parking already occurs in several places

·        The doctor’s surgery and children’s day nursery will experience problems if these changes are implemented

·        Local amenities will experience a loss of use

·        There is a need to ensure that local people are not disadvantaged and parking issues for residents and businesses are considered as part of any scheme

Members were presented with the following options:

Option A                    uphold the objections and take no action.

Option B                   Implement a reduced set of restrictions than those advertised.

Option C                   Implement the restrictions as advertised.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

·        Implement the proposals as advertised and inform the objectors of this decision.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  Because the road space is required for the introduction of the improvements that form part of the section 278 agreements related to the new developments.

This report seeks Member approval for a proposed review of the City’s footstreets as previously outlined in the council’s second Local Transport Plan (LTP2).

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

·        Approve the proposals in options 1 and 4 as set out in paragraphs 22 and 25 of the report.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  So that the footstreets and public places provide the necessary quality environment to support the York economy and promote sustainable transport. Their proposed improvement will help to ensure continued success in this area.

Members considered a report that sought their approval for a proposed review of the City’s footstreets as previously outlined in the Council’s second Local Transport Plan. Possible changes to the footstreets may include varying the current use of the footstreet in Goodramgate, which could see this street being physically closed to all traffic during footstreet hours in the same way that some other footstreets such as Petergate operate, and an extension of the existing footstreets to include Fossgate.

The report also raises the issue of a review of the city centre public realm and in particular a proposal by the Dean and Chapter of York Minster to improve the area of Deangate adjacent to the South transept. The proposal if taken forward would create a significantly improved public space in the form of a public piazza and is currently included in a wider bid by the Minster for Heritage Lottery Fund.

The report therefore also seeks Member approval for support in principal for the Minster bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a number of linked improvement projects but in particular for the creation of a piazza outside the south transept.

The Director of City Strategy updated that he had now received a response from Yorkshire Forward which stated that they had added their support to the Minster’s bid for Heritage Lottery funding.

Members were presented with the following options:

Option 1        Reviewing the footstreets as proposed in paragraph 22 of the report

Option 2        Reviewing the footstreets in a different way to that proposed

Option 3        Not reviewing the footstreets

Option 4        Supporting the Minster’s Heritage Lottery Fund bid with the funding proposed in paragraph 25 of the report

Option 5        Supporting the Minster’s Heritage Lottery Fund bid with a different level of funding than that proposed.

Option 6        Not supporting the Minster’s Heritage Lottery Fund bid

Members discussed various points regarding public places and footstreets and the following were noted:

·        Improvement of York’s public spaces was very important

·        The opportunity for Heritage Lottery funding had to be taken as opportunities such as this did not present themselves very frequently

·        Improvements around the Minster would increase the City’s income from tourism

·        The improvement in the Minster area should not be at the detriment of other areas within York that were currently in line for improvement

·        There were questions surrounding the source of the monies for the Minster projects and the amount of the contribution from City of York Council

·        The need to improve and develop visitor attractions within the City of York Council

·        The Heritage Lottery Fund bid for the development of a Piazza near the Minster is a one off opportunity

·        The footstreets review should include consideration of the hours of operations and the prevailing speed limits.

It was proposed and seconded to amend the Officer’s recommendation to approve options 1 and 5 (to reduce the amount of City of York’s Council contribution to £250,000). When put to the vote the amendment was lost.

Advice of the Advisory  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

The purpose of this report is to consolidate the 2007/08 City Strategy Capital Programme to include the carryover schemes that were not completed in 2006/07, and to make adjustments to schemes and blocks to reflect individual underspends and overspends within the programme. The report asks the Executive Member for City Strategy to approve the amendments to the 2007/08 budget as set out in the report.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

1.      Approve the carryover schemes and adjustments set out in Annexes 1 and 2 of the report.

2.      Approve the increase to the 2007/08 City Strategy Capital budget subject to the approval of the Executive.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  To manage the Capital Programme efficiently.

Members considered a report that consolidated the 2007/08 City Strategy Capital Programme to include the carryover schemes that were not completed in 2006/07 and to make adjustments to schemes and blocks to reflect individual underspends and overspends within the programme.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to:

1.      Approve the carryover schemes and adjustments set out in Annexes 1 and 2 of the report.

2.      Approve the increase to the 2007/08 City Strategy Capital budget subject to the approval of the Executive.

Decision of the Executive Leader for City Strategy

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

REASON:                  To manage the Capital Programme efficiently.