Agenda and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests, other than those listed on the standing declarations of interest attached to the agenda, that they might have in the business on the agenda.  The following interests were declared:

·        Councillors D’Agorne, Riches and Reid declared personal interests in item 6 (Update Report on Major Development Schemes in York) as members of the Planning Committee.  They did not comment on the merits of the schemes referred to in the report.

·        Councillor Hodgson declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 4 (Finance and Performance Monitor 1 Report) in respect of paragraph 8 (reference to Newgate and speciality markets) as he undertook work for York Continental Market.

·        Councillor Barnes declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 (Update Report on Major Development Schemes in York) in respect of the reference to the Community Stadium, as his employer was a sponsor of York City.

·        Councillor Semlyen declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (Update Report on Major Transport Initiatives) as an employee of 20’s Plenty.

·        Councillor D’Agorne declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 (Water End Councillor Call for Action) as a member of the Water End Task Group.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Economic & City Development Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 24 July 2012.

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the meeting of the Economic and City Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 July 2012 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record subject to minute 8 being amended to read “20 June 2012”.

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 24 September 2012

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 at the meeting under the council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report provides details of the 2012/13 forecast outturn position for both finance and performance in City and Environmental Services and Housing Services.

Members considered a report that provided details of the 2012/13 forecast outturn position for both finance and performance in City and Environmental Services and Housing Services.

Members questioned officers on the following issues:

·        Referring to paragraph 4 of the report, clarification was sought as to whether it was possible to identify the impact of the temporary closure of Haymarket car park.  Officers stated that the temporary closure was likely to have been one of the factors in the shortfall in car parking income but it was not possible for this to be quantified.

·        Clarification was sought as to how the Delivery and Innovation Fund would be monitored.  Officers confirmed that successful bids would be referred to in the reports that were presented to Cabinet.

·        Referring to paragraph 29, clarification was sought as to how many vacant buildings had been brought back into use.  Officers agreed to find out and circulate the information to Members.¹

·        Clarification was sought as to why there had been no reference to transport in the carbon reduction targets.  Officers agreed to find out if this had been included within the target.²

RESOLVED:       That the forecast outturn position for finance and performance in City and Environmental Services and Housing Services be noted.

REASON:            To update the scrutiny committee of the latest finance and performance position.

This report presents Members with an update on progress made in implementing the recommendations arising from the Water End Councillor Call for Action.

Members considered a report that presented an update on progress made in implementing the recommendations arising from the Water End Councillor Call for Action.

Officers gave an update on the further consultation that would be taking place with the residents of Westminster Road/The Avenue on a potential point closure.  The proposals included a turning head. 

Members were asked to consider whether or not to sign off, as fully implemented, recommendation 1 of the Water End Councillor Call for Action.  It was agreed that the Committee would wish to see the outcome of the work outlined in paragraph 8 of the report, before signing off the recommendation as fully implemented.

RESOLVED:       That a further report on this issue be brought back to Committee at its meeting on 29 January 2013.

REASON:            To raise awareness of the outstanding recommendation in relation to this Councillor Call for Action.

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

Members considered a report that provided an overview and update in relation to the major development and planning proposals it the city at this time.

Members questioned officers on the following issues in respect of the York Central site:

·        The efforts that were being made to ensure that there was a comprehensive master plan in place rather than piecemeal development. 

·        The situation in respect of the infrastructure of the site.

·        The consultation that was taking place with partners.

·        The impact of the present economic climate on the project.

At the request of Members, an update was also given on the situation in respect of Castle – Piccadilly.  A meeting had been scheduled with Sovereign Land who were the agents.   It was hoped that this would provide an insight as to the landowner’s assessment of the site and the investment fund position.  It was noted that a design brief had been approved by the Council some time ago.

RESOLVED:       That the present position in relation to major developments and planning applications in the city be noted and a further report be presented to the committee in six months time.

REASON:            To ensure that the committee is kept updated.

This report provides Members with an update in relation to the major transport initiatives in the city currently being progressed.

Members considered a report that provided an overview and update in relation to the major transport initiatives in the city currently being progressed.

Members questioned officers on the following issues:

·        Clarification was sought as to the date of the Cabinet Member for City Strategy Decision Session referred to in paragraph 2 of the report.  Officers confirmed that the date was correct but that the Decision Session had been held in private. 

·        An update was provided on progress in respect of the Fishergate pedestrian route to the Barbican, including the likely timescale for aspects of the scheme.

·        Clarification was provided as to the timescales for the Access York Phase 1 - A59 bus priority scheme and Park and Ride scheme.  Some concerns were expressed that there were not more bus stops on the route.  It was noted that there would be the potential to make amendments in the future to take account of developments that may occur in the area, but the routes were already well served by bus and there was a need to ensure that the service was fast and direct.

·        The Chair drew officers’ attention to the work that So-Mo had carried out in respect of 20mph zones in Liverpool.

RESOLVED:       That the present position in relation to major transport initiatives in the city be noted and a further report be presented to the committee in six months time.

REASON:            To ensure that the committee is kept updated on transport initiatives.

A verbal update will be given on the work of the Youth Unemployment Task Group.

Members received a verbal update on the work of the Youth Unemployment Task Group.  

·        It was noted that the Task Group had met on three occasions.  A visit had been made to the Job Centre Plus Centre to meet with the regional manager.  The manager had been keen to develop links with the Economic Development Unit.  Meetings had also been held with the Pertemps and Prospects recruitment agencies, at which Members had had the opportunity to talk to staff and to users of the service.  Suggestions arising from the discussions included the development of links with the retail sector, particularly supermarkets, and also the universities. 

·        Members had become aware that Selby had arranged for a bus to serve Sherburn in Elmet to make it easier for residents to access an industrial estate.  It would be useful to ascertain if there were instances in York when there had been insufficient applications for posts because the place of employment was not accessible.  Officers confirmed that this matter was being considered by the Public Transport Team.

·        It was noted that the work of the Task Group was ongoing and that an Interim Report would be presented to the Committee at their meeting on 20 November 2012.

RESOLVED:       That the verbal report on the work of the Youth Unemployment Task Group be noted.

REASON:            To ensure that the Committee is kept updated on the progress of this review.

A verbal update will be given on the work of the E-Planning Facilities Scrutiny Review.

Members received a verbal update on the work of the E-Planning Facilities Scrutiny Review.

It was noted that the work of the Task Group was progressing well.  Although the original intention had been for the Group to meet twice, it had become apparent during the gathering of evidence that there was more work to be done.  A number of meetings had therefore taken place, including discussions with Parish Council and Planning Panel representatives.  A number of potential recommendations had been drafted and the final report was due to be presented to the Committee at its meeting on 20 November 2012.

RESOLVED:       That the verbal report on the work of the E-Planning Facilities Task Group be noted.

REASON:            To ensure that the Committee is kept updated on the progress of this review.

This briefing note provides information on a proposed new scrutiny review on unlocking the potential of external funding for economic development and regeneration projects.

Members considered a briefing note that provided information on a proposed new scrutiny review on unlocking the potential of external funding for economic development and regeneration projects.   The topic had been proposed by Councillor Semlyen.

Officers stated that the Council was keen to look at ways of accessing funding that may be available, including regional funding and Growing Places funding.  Additional staffing had been allocated for this purpose.  Members queried whether a scrutiny review would replicate work that officers were already planning to carry out.  Officers stated that this would not be the case.  It was noted that, in some cases, the Council had a good record of accessing funding, for example in respect of Local Transport Plans.  It could also look to utilise the expertise of Science City and tourism organisations.

Discussion took place as to the remit of a review.  It was agreed that the focus should be on accessing European Regional Development Funding.

RESOLVED:       (i)      That a scrutiny review be carried out on

Accessing European Regional Development Funding.

                             (ii)      That the scope for the review be

determined by the end of 2012 with the review taking place in 2013.

                             (iii)     That nominations from Members wishing to

take part in the scrutiny review would be sought by email.

REASON:            In order to progress the review.

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s updated workplan for the municipal year 2012/2013.

Members considered the Committee’s updated workplan for the municipal year 2012/13.

A paper was tabled that outlined potential scrutiny topics.  The Chair gave details of a proposed topic on Out of Hours Childcare. 

RESOLVED:       (i)      That, at the meeting on 20 November 2012,

consideration be given to the scope of a review on Out of Hours Childcare with a view to the review being completed prior to the commencement of the review on Accessing European Regional Development Funding.

                             (ii)      That nominations from Members wishing to

take part in the Out of Hours Childcare scrutiny review would be sought by email.

(iii)     That, subject to the inclusion of the items above, the workplan for the Committee be approved.

REASON:            To progress the work of the Committee.