Agenda and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the register of interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interest which they might have in respect of the business on the agenda. No additional interests were declared.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Friday 11 July 2014.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast or audio recorded and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts  or,if sound recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/3130/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings

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

To approve and sign the minutes of the Committee’s meetings held on 12 and 19 May 2014.

Resolved:           That the minutes of meetings of the Committee held on 12 and 19 May 2014 be confirmed as correct records and be signed by the Chair.

To consider the decisions made by Cabinet at their meeting held on 1 July 2014 in relation to the above item, which has been called in by CouncillorsWatson, Warters and Wisemanin accordance with the Council’s Constitution.  A cover report is attached setting out the reasons for the call-in and the remit and powers of the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling-In) in relation to the call-in, together with the original report and the decisions of the Cabinet.

Members received a report which asked them to consider the decisions made by the Cabinet on Tuesday 1 July 2014, in relation to the implementation of the Theatre Interchange project, as the first phase of a rolling programme of linked public realm improvement works at Exhibition Square. 

Details of the Cabinet’s decision were attached at Annex A to the report, with the original report to the Cabinet attached at Annex B. The decision had been called in by CouncillorsWatson, Warters and Wisemanon the following grounds:

·        “The proposed funding is a waste of money on a scheme that is not compliant with the aims of Reinvigorating York.

·        Concerns regarding the bus facilities included in the scheme.”

Members were asked whether to confirm the decision (Option a) or to refer it back to Cabinet for re-consideration (Option b) as set out in the report.

Councillor Watson addressed the meeting as one of the Calling-In members, expanding on the reasons given for the call in, in particular that the refurbishment of the area did not appear to provide value for money or result in little gain for the public. He raised concerns regarding the removal of a tour bus stop and the natural shelter for bus users at the Theatre Royal. He also expressed concern that the reinvigorate schemes appeared to do little to improve the attractiveness of the city centre and that the investment would be better used in the Parliament Street area.

Councillor Warters also addressed the meeting as a Calling-In member, expressing his support for the earlier speaker’s comments and the need for further scrutiny of this scheme. He reiterated his opposition to the proposals and questioned, if approved, would refurbishment schemes outside the city be undertaken using similar design and cost principles.

Councillor Wiseman as the final Calling-In member, raised issues regarding the siting of the bus shelters. She also highlighted the removal of a number of bus services wait time at Exhibition Square which would be transferred to Memorial Gardens and to the impact this would have on elderly and infirm passengers.

The Cabinet Member for Transport responded, by expressing his concern at the reasons provided for the call in of this decision. He highlighted the extensive consultation undertaken both with the bus companies and the public and to the proposed mitigation strategies. He acknowledged difficulties the area posed however the proposals were designed to improve the quality of the space.  Discussions would, he confirmed, continue with the bus companies and the Theatre Royal although he pointed out that the area in front of the Theatre, presently used as a shelter, was outside the control of the Council. 

In answer to Members questions the Cabinet Member confirmed that details of attendance at the drop in sessions were available in the supplementary documents attached to the agenda item. Confirmation that the Equality Advisory Group had been consulted on the proposals and that the road safety team had been satisfied with the changes to cycle lanes in Exhibition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.