Draft minutes

Guildhall Ward Committee - Monday, 26 July 2021 6.00 pm

Proposed venue: Zoom

Contact: Shiona Marsh Community Involvement Officer

Note: email Shiona.Marsh@york.gov.uk for meeting details

Items

No.

Item

Welcome and Introduction

Minutes:

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Craghill who welcomed everyone and set out the agenda.

She read the following statement: Information within this Zoom meeting should only be discussed if appropriate to be openly shared, i.e. no personal, official or commercially sensitive information should be discussed. This Zoom meeting is not authorised to be recorded unless agreed otherwise prior with CYC (which it is not). Also, please keep yourself on mute to minimise background noise, unless you are speaking. You are welcome to raise your hand to wait to speak, the Chair will lead you in this.

Aims to finish meeting by 20:15. Meeting was not recorded.

Ward Budgets 21/22 & Ward Priorities 21/22

Minutes:

Ward budgets 21/22

Cllr Craghill went through the Ward funding budget and spending as follows:

· WARD FUNDING - £72k allocated: of which, as of this month, £56k remaining

· Budget Allocations for 2021-22:

o £12k Pride In York (improving the landscape)

o £12k COVID-19 Recovery Fund (recovery as we move through the pandemic)

o £9k Core Budget (to support ward priorities)

o £37k Carryover (leftover from previous budget[s])

TOTALS	Pride in York	COVID-19 Recovery Fund	Core Budget	2020-21 Carryover	TOTAL
Total Start Amount for 2021-22	£12,766.00	£12,766.00	£9,574.00	£37,290.00	£72,396.00
Spend	£0.00	£6,923.00	£6,565.40	£2,510.00	£15,998.40
Leftover in the pot	£12,766.00	£5,843.00	£3,008.60	£34,780.00	£56,397.60

Scheme Reference	Scheme Details	Ward Team Decision	Amount applied for:	Pride in York	COVID-19 Recovery Fund	Core Budget	2020-21 Carryover
GU-20-22	Next Door But One	Funding Released	£2,510.00				£2,510.00
GU-21-01	Move The Masses	With Ward Committee	£4,392.00
GU-21-02	Citizens Advice	Funding Released	£4,423.00		£4,423.00
GU-21-03	River Foss Society	Approved	£1,580.40			£1,580.40
GU-21-04	York Archaeological Trust	With Ward Committee	£5,000.00
GU-21-05	YCFC Foundation	Funding Released	£2,485.00			£2,485.00
GU-21-07	York City Knights	With Ward Committee
GU-21-08	Community Bees	Approved	£5,000.00		£2,500.00	£2,500.00

Michael Reakes sought clarification for the £1,580.40 figure for the River Foss society.

Shiona Marsh confirmed that the total included the quote for the installation of the interpretive

sign plus the planning pre-application fee.

Cllr Fitzpatrick requested to know where the funding for Tower Gardens came from, would ask

Andy Kerr following his presentation later.

Cllr Craghill explained the budget and spending for the HEIP & Highways.

HEIP - £57k remaining

Annual Allocation	4 year TOTAL	Allocated to date	Remaining balance
£16,150.00	£57,000.00	£0.00	£57,000.00

2021 Scheme Proposal Details:

· Bin Stores Huby Court

· Bin Stores Hope Street/Walmgate

· Groves Courtyard Improvement Trial Scheme

HIGHWAYS - £87k remaining

Allocation of £250k 2019/20	Allocation of Additional £1m*	Allocation of £250k 2020/21 onwards*	Carry Forward from 2019	4 Year GRAND TOTAL	Ward Approved Spends to Date	Outstanding Balance
17,369	63,830	15,957	5,059	134,131	47000	87,131

2021 Scheme proposal details:

1. Union Terrace traffic management scheme.

2. Bin by shambles car park

Cllr Craghill confirmed that she fully expects the budget to be spent and identified the disabled

access improvement scheme for Aldwark, Ogleforth & Goodramgate as another project

requiring funding.

Cllr Fitzpatrick explained that the bin at the Shambles car park was in response to the River

Foss Society’s request. As the land is owned by BT she would like the River Foss Society to

take on responsibility for emptying the bin.

Michael Reakes thanked Cllr Fitzpatrick and explained that there are regular litter picks. He will

pass the information on to the appropriate persons within the society.

Ward priorities 21/22

Cllr Craghill identified the established ward priorities below and asked if anyone had any

suggestions for changes. None were suggested.

WARD PRIORITIES

· to increase recycling

· better maintenance of parks and green spaces

· reduction of anti-social behaviour

· for children to be able to play out safely

· fewer people suffering from loneliness

· for people to embrace diversity in their communities

Ward Partner Funding Updates

Minutes:

Ward partner funding updates

· Paula Stainton – YCFC – Ward funding has been used to provide City Kickabout in the park for children aged 4-13 years, within the ward and across the city. Aims to promote use of your park, use of green spaces across York. Funding has been used to provide a waterproof bag and snack, tackling issues such as litter, physical activity, social inclusion, food poverty. Covers 8 parks every week. Started 3.5 weeks ago, promoted by banners, QR code, social media. Within the ward 175 spaces have been booked – must be booked due to Covid – out of 300 available. Bookings can be taken on the day at the park. Cllr Fitzpatrick requested a breakdown for the ward. Paula confirmed that this would be provided.

· Scott Jobson – My Sight York – their service was needed immediately by members when Covid hit, and funding was also required immediately. The project enabled blind or partially-sighted clients to be paired with a regular volunteer caller. They were able to discuss and provide support with a range of difficulties such as leaving the house, shopping, cooking, and banking. 116 regular calls were made, 2360 total calls, by 45 volunteers, Clients said ‘it’s been a lifeline’ and a vital service. They also provided a delivery service using volunteers to deliver specialist equipment - 490 pieces - allowing people to live independently. They are very grateful for the speed of response by council, it was nothing short of lifesaving. Will send an impact report.

· Matt Harper-Hardcastle – Next Door But One – thanks for having him. This is a theatre company who have developed an audio walk exploring women’s safety, entitled ‘She was walking home’. This is a women’s project with an all-female staff. Phase one completed, surveyed 30 women - 16 of those from guildhall aged 20-mid 50’s from mixed backgrounds, socio-economic groups and those with disabilities. Walk Safe app connected with the audio tour. It’s a call to arms to keep women safe in the city centre. Feedback on the project is very positive with many thanking them and appreciating the funding from council. Podcast is phase 3, QR codes/posters linked to the audio tour and Walk Safe app. They will feedback on the impact for the ward.

· Beryl Riley – The Hut – Thanks for the funding to support the project. Registered charity providing short and long term support mental and or disabilities. Open door policy, do not need to be referred. Opened the Hubble, in a renovated toilet block to have more sessions as Covid has reduced numbers that can be accommodated in the Hut. Creative support for the programme to improve communication and capabilities of members – Council funding has provided more activity packs with more appealing stock. They are selling more packs due to the improvements leading to more profit. An IPad has also been purchased this has improved training opportunities and they have been able to contact more people directly. Arts & Crafts project ... view the full minutes text for item 3.

City Centre Projects Update

Minutes:

City centre projects update - Andy Kerr, CYC regeneration Presentation

Covid response - re-opening of the city centre aimed at making it economically viable. Outdoor seating provided to aid social distancing, the council has worked with Make it York and The Bid. There is a range of seating & tables not business-specific that are free to use; positive feedback has been received. Parliament Street is now moving to a more commercial offering, and outdoor seating will stay until September.

My City Centre – The aim of the project is to: Engage the public and stakeholders to develop a long term social, environmental and economic strategic vision for a sustainable future for the city centre.

The council is working with public and stakeholders, the project started in 2020, paused in April 2020 and restarted May 2021 to drive the Covid response. The stakeholder group have helped shape the engagement and have responded using the online map with thumbs up and down and Facebook Q&A. There is an emerging vision – A city centre everyone wants to be part of.

Outcomes of the consultation

• More family-friendly city centre

• More resident focus to our events and spreading them out across the city

• Encouraging more families in to the city centre after 5pm in the week

• Improving the markets

• Acknowledge the importance of tourism but how we can make sure residents benefit

• Making the most of our rivers

There will be a public consultation late August/September, November for executive approval. There will be an action plan developed with Make it York and The Bid.

Review of access and parking – the aim is to improve access for all, the review has been commissioned in response to the decision to make the foot streets permanent. It will create a hierarchy of council car parks to decide future priorities.

It will cover disabled access, deliveries, Taxis, cycling and footpaths. The draft vision will be put out for consultation Aug/Sept – November for approval. There will be a decision at this point as to whether the new foot streets will become permanent.

Castle Gateway – Castle Mills and riverside park will include 106 apartments, commercial spaces, pedestrian cycle bridge over the River Foss, new public riverside park behind the Castle Museum (which has been behind a pay wall), pedestrian/cycle crossing point over the inner ring road. The sale of the apartments will fund the new multi-storey car park. Castle Mills projected to start early 2022

St Georges Field multi-storey car park. This will consolidate parking on St Georges Field and provide 372 parking spaces, 25 coach spaces - this enables the closure of the Castle car park and offsets lost revenue. Projected start date Spring 2022, for an Autumn 2023 completion.

Castle and the Eye of York – A new world-class public realm to replace the Castle car park. Will provide year-round event space in the area. Planning needs to be submitted this summer for the shovel ready project. £3.5m ... view the full minutes text for item 4.

Ward Councillor Update

Minutes:

Slot not used to allow more time for other agenda items. Councillors gave updates throughout the meeting.

Have Your Say and Any other business

Minutes:

Lesley Bowes asked whether the funding is secured for the security gates at Huby Court. Shiona Marsh explained that is the security gate for the bins stores and that HMO, will be a consultation prior to installing. Cllr Craghill stated that there is no reason to not go forward. Lesley Bowes requested a gate with a key pad.

Cllr Fitzpatrick agreed with Lesley and said that there is no need for a consultation and that the bins need secure gates.

James Flinders stated that there has been no maintenance on the security gates for bin stores and also identified a lack of gardening on the estate.

Cllr Fitzpatrick mentioned that on Navigation road to the Red Tower shrubbery is on the pavement, as councillor she will be reporting this. It was agreed that this needs maintaining and that it should not be necessary to step into the road.

Cllr Craghill agreed that it’s an issue and would like it to improve. It needs more clarity.

Lesley Bowes stated that gardening twice a year doesn’t take into account how plants grow and that it needs looking at.

Gwen Swinburn said that there a several ward projects and she would like more or better information / description of the projects, especially ‘multiple ward projects’. For example what is the £5000, going to York Archaeological Trust for? Cllr Craghill confirmed that it is going to Willow house.

Cllr Looker thanked everybody for their attendance.