Agenda 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, other than the standing declarations, that they might have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Levene declared a personal non prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 4 (Report from the Cabinet Leader on Priorities and the Year Ahead) due to his employment by Social Enterprise, Yorkshire and Humber.

No other interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Economic & City Development Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 21 June 2011.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the Economic and City Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 21 June 2011 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered their wish to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is by 5pm on Monday 11 July 2011. Members of the public can speak on specific planning applications or on other agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

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

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

This report from the Cabinet leader presents Members with his priorities for the Year Ahead.

Members received a written report from the Cabinet Leader on his priorities for the year ahead.

The Cabinet Leader outlined his priorities in the following areas;

·        Jobs and Economic Growth

·        Local Enterprise Partnerships

·        Shared Services

·        York’s Fairness Commission

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Leader for his attendance.

This report provides Members with updated information on the implementation of recommendations arising from the Newgate Market Scrutiny Review.

Members received an update report appraising them of the implementation of recommendations that had arisen from the Newgate Market Scrutiny Review, which the Committee had conducted between December 2009 and December 2010.

Officers reported that the market’s profits had exceeded previously set targets and that progress was being made to implement the recommendations. It was noted that there were more long term recommendations still to progress.

In response to a question from Members about developments at the back of the market, Officers said that consideration was being given to using space at the rear of the market for storing city centre equipment. Members were also informed that an al fresco café would soon open in this area.

Some Members questioned Officers, in reference to recommendation 1(i), on page 17 of the agenda, if a separate option for food waste recycling initiative through composting could be introduced.

Officers suggested that a food waste recycling initiative could be considered in the future but that the current focus was on  recycling of cardboard from the stalls.

Members felt that all the recommendations presented in the update report could not be signed off as completed, and that they wished to consider a further update report at their meeting in January 2012.

RESOLVED:      (i)          That the report be noted.

(ii)              That none of the recommendations from the Newgate Market Scrutiny Review be signed off as a complete.

(iii)            That a further update report be considered by the Committee at their meeting on 24 January 2012.

REASON:                     To raise awareness of those recommendations which have still to be implemented.

This report provides Members with an overview and update in relation to current major development and planning proposals in the city.

Members received a sixth monthly update report on major developments within the City.

In response to a question about the planning application for the Community Stadium, Members were informed that the application was due for submission imminently.

RESOLVED:      That the report be noted.

REASON:            To keep the Committee updated on the progress of major development schemes in York.

This report provides Members of the Economic & City Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an overview and update in relation to the major transport initiatives in the city currently being progressed.

Members received a sixth monthly update report on major transport initiatives.

Questions from Members to Officers related to;

·        The length of time taken for the scheme to improve capacity at the A1237/A19 Rawcliffe roundabout and the subsequent delays that this caused to traffic.

·        The start date for pedestrian and cycling improvements for Fishergate Gyratory scheme. The decision for which would be made by the Cabinet Member for City Strategy at his Decision Session on 26 July.

·        The second phase of the scheme to improve the layout of Blossom Street for cyclists, bus services and pedestrians being extended to Holgate Road, and the funding for this.

Officers informed Members that, in relation to the A1237/A19 Rawcliffe Roundabout, several problems had been encountered which had delayed the completion of the improvements. These problems included ground conditions, a leak in the gas management system, temporary roads being put in and that alterations were made a late stage.

RESOLVED:      That the report be noted.

REASON:            To keep the Committee updated on the progress of major transport initiatives in York.

This report presents the Committee’s work plan for the forthcoming year for consideration.

Members considered a report which presented them with the Committee’s work plan for the forthcoming year.

RESOLVED:That the report be noted and the following items be added to the work plan;

·     That an update report on the progress of the  implementation of recommendations from the Newgate Market Scrutiny Review be considered at the Committee’s meeting on 24 January 2012.¹

·     That the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Services be invited to address the Committee at a future meeting on the housing aspect of her portfolio.²

·     That an invitation be extended to a representative, Chair and Lead Officer from the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to attend a future meeting of the Committee.³

REASON:                     To keep the Committee’s work plan up to date.