Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, 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.

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have in respect of the business on the agenda.  Councillors Cuthbertson and K Myers declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 – Impact of the Arts and Culture Sectors on the Economy of York Scrutiny Review Feasibility Report, as trustees of York Museums Trust.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2016. 

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting of 29 June 2016 be approved as a correct record and then signed by the Chair.

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 5:00pm on Tuesday 19 July 2016.

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

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting will be filmed and webcast and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at: http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

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:

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/6453/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_council_meetingspdf

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

The Executive Member for Environment has been invited to attend the meeting to outline his priorities and challenges for 2016-17.

The Executive Member for Environment had been invited to attend the meeting to outline his priorities and challenges for 2016-17.

The Executive Member highlighted particular issues outlined in his written report including the work that was taking place in respect of flooding and flood defences, resilience and surface water drainage and air quality.

Members questioned the Executive Member on the following issues:

·        The economic impact of flooding, and actions which could be taken in future to ensure that, if flooding occurred, it was made clear that only parts of the city were affected and that business continued.

·        The arrangements that were in place to enable residents to dispose of items such as mattresses and whether it would be more cost effective to collect such items rather than incur the expenditure involved in clearing fly-tipping. 

·        The impact of the result of the EU referendum on funding for projects.

·        Energy costs and the problems faced by those residents who pre-paid for fuel.  Members also commented on the Energy Switching Programme and the fact that some residents may be prepared to pay more for energy with green credentials.

·        The work that was taking place to improve air quality in the city, including efforts to promote the use of low emission vehicles.

·        Street cleansing arrangements, including the consideration that was being given to taking an approach whereby cleaning took place less frequently but was more thorough.

·        The use of ward funding for grounds maintenance and the extent to which Pride in York funding was being used.

·        Problems caused when students vacated properties but their refuse was not collected promptly.

·        Waste collection in the city centre and the lack of facilities for recycling.  It was noted that work would be taking place with the BID to address these issues.

·        The situation in respect of St Nicholas Field and their collection of recycling in certain areas of the city.

The Executive Member was thanked for his report and for his attendance at the meeting.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     To ensure that the committee is kept updated on the

                   Executive Member’s priorities and challenges.

This report provides details of the 2015/16 outturn position for both finance and performance across services within City and Environmental Services and Communities and Neighbourhoods.

Members considered a report that provided details of the 2015/16 outturn position for both finance and performance across services within City and Environmental Services and Communities and Neighbourhoods.

Officers were questioned on the savings in respect of fleet.  It was noted that this was a challenging target but savings were being achieved within individual directorates.  An update was also given on the recruitment of vehicle technicians, including the market situation in respect of some skill sets.

Members queried whether the pay on exit parking arrangements were working well at Marygate.  Officers stated that initially there had been some technical problems but since April the Council had entered into a maintenance contract and the situation had now improved.  Members noted that the Council was not able to achieve the economies of scale that were open to national car park operators, for example when entering into maintenance contracts.

Members noted the reasons for the overspend in Development Services, Planning and Regeneration and that planning income was predominantly dependent on large scale developments.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     To update Members on the latest finance and performance position.

This report presents information in support of the objectives of the review remit for the Protection of Grass Verges Scrutiny Review and asks the Economic Development and Transport Policy and Scrutiny Committee (EDAT) to agree what, if any, further information is required to conclude this review.

Members considered a report which presented information in support of the objectives of the review remit for the Protection of Grass Verges Scrutiny Review and which asked the Committee to agree what, if any, further information was required to conclude the review.  Councillor Fenton, Chair of the Task Group, went through the key findings to date.

The main issues included:

·        The reasons why there was parking on grass verges, including the narrowness of some streets and a lack of parking in some areas.

·        Whether this was an issue which should be given more consideration when planning applications were being considered.

·        The resource implications of tackling this issue.

·        Measures to deter parking on grass verges.

·        Any use of bylaws would necessitate appropriate signage being in place.

·        The possibility of lobbying nationally for measures to be put in place similar to those in London.

·        Consideration as to whether ward budgets could be used to highlight the problem and to bring about behavioural change.

·        The damage to grass verges was also caused by vehicles being driven over them as well as by parking.

·        Implementing strategies to address the issue in one area could result in the problem being moved elsewhere.

The Task Group members were thanked for their work to date on the review.  Consideration was given as to whether further work was required by the Task Group to conclude the review.

Resolved:  (i)      That the work on the review to date be noted:

                   (ii)      That the Task Group give further consideration

as to whether there were behavioural changes and techniques that could be considered on a city-wide policy basis to address this issue.

Reason:              To progress the work on this review in line with

                             scrutiny procedures and protocols.

This scoping report gives Members of the Economic Development and Transport Policy and Scrutiny Committee (EDAT) brief details of the impact of the Arts and Culture Sectors on York’s economy to help them decide whether this is a suitable topic for review.

Members considered a scoping report that provided an outline of the impact of the Arts and Culture Sectors on York’s economy.  The committee was asked to decide whether this was a suitable topic for review.

Resolved:  (i)      That the report be noted.

                   (ii)      That a Task Group be established to carry out a

review of the impact of the Arts and Culture Sectors on York’s economy.

                   (iii)     That the members of the Task Group be:

Councillor C Cullwick, Councillor Looker and Councillor K Myers.

(iv)    That the Task Group meet to consider a remit for

the review with aims, objectives and timescales, and report back to the committee at their meeting in September.

Reason:              To progress the review in accordance with

                             scrutiny procedures and protocols.

Members are asked to give consideration for the committee’s work plan for 2016/17.

Members gave consideration to the committee’s work plan for 2016/17.

Resolved:  That, subject to the following additions, the work plan be approved:

·        Information report on Modal Shift to sustainable forms of travel (meeting of 7 September 2016)

·        Feedback from the Task Group on the Impact of the Arts and Culture Sectors on York’s Economy (meeting of 7 September 2016)

·        Report from the BID Chief Executive (meeting of 7 September 2016 or 14 November 2016)

Reason:     To ensure that the committee has a planned programme of work in place.