Agenda and minutes

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 at this point in the meeting any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of the business on the agenda. 

Councillor Fraser declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 4 (Night Time Economy Scrutiny Review), as Acting Chair of Micklegate Action Group.

Councillor King declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 6 (Domestic Violence), as his daughter was Lord Mayor of York and IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services)  was one of her chosen charities for the year.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2013.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting of 22 July 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday 9 September 2013.

It was reported that there was one registration to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme. 

Mr Ken Sutcliffe, referring to the Safer York Partnership’s (SYP) intention to cease the RACY (Retailers Against Crime in York)  Coordinator’s role and absorb into mainstream SYP and North Yorkshire Police operations, asked the scrutiny committee to consider whether this decision was in the best interests of the city centre retailers and the City of York.  He tabled information to the Committee explaining the reasons for his representation.

It was agreed that the Chair would be briefed by RACY on the situation and would report back at the next meeting.

(i)           This report provides an update on the work of the Safer York Partnership Alcohol, Violence and Night Time Economy (AVANTE) Task Group.

(ii)          Verbal briefings will also be given on other related issues for possible scrutiny review in respect of the Night-time Economy.

(i)           Members considered a report on the work of the Safer York Partnership Alcohol, Violence and Night Time Economy (AVANTE) Task Group.

Details were given of some of the strategies that had been implemented and the achievements that had been made to date, as outlined in the written report.

Members were given details of Operation Erase, which was  a multi-agency operation aimed at tackling the problems caused by the high numbers of travelling groups arriving by train from the North East each Saturday to drink in local pubs and bars. 

Discussion took place regarding the Alcohol Restriction Zone (ARZ) for the city centre and railway station.  Members drew officers’ attention to problems that had been reported in respect of Blossom Street and Micklegate and in other parts of the city centre.

Members were informed that partners had expressed concern at the growing number of off-license premises within the city centre.  They had suggested that it would be beneficial for there to be improved coordination between the Planning and Licensing departments.  Attention was drawn to the relevant statutory guidance.

(ii)          Verbal briefings were given on other related issues for possible scrutiny  in respect of the night time economy including:

·        Public toilets

·        Street cleansing

·        Licensing regulations

·        Commercial waste storage

Resolved:  (i)      That the report on the work of the AVANTE Task

Group be noted.

(ii)          That the Committee’s work on the night-time economy scrutiny review focus on street cleansing.

Reason:              To enable the committee to contribute to the night-time economy scrutiny review.

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on financial performance for Environmental Services and Public Protection.

Members considered a report that provided an update on financial performance for Environmental Services and Public Protection.

Officers drew attention to the variations, including the shortfall in respect of Highways, Waste and Fleet, which was largely due to delays in implementing the savings surrounding Waste Services. 

Resolved:  That the report on the financial position of the portfolio be noted.

Reason:     In accordance with budgetary and performance monitoring procedures.

This briefing note provides information on domestic violence and the work that is being carried out to tackle this issue. 

Members considered a briefing note which provided information on domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence Coordinator gave details of her role and of the work that was being carried out to tackle domestic violence within the city. 

At the request of Members, details were given of the White Ribbon Campaign.

Resolved:  That the briefing note on domestic violence be noted.

Reason:     To ensure that Members are aware of the work that is taking place to tackle this issue.

Members are asked to consider the committee’s work plan.

A verbal update will also be given on the ongoing reviews.

Members gave consideration to the committee’s work plan. 

Referring to the minutes of the last meeting, clarification was sought as to when it would be possible to receive an update on the policy on tethered horses.  It was agreed that this would be an agenda item for the next meeting.

Resolved:  That, subject to the inclusion of the following agenda items, the work plan be approved:

·        Update on Policy on Tethered Horses (meeting of 12 November 2013)

·        Informal meeting of the committee to be convened in October to progress work on the street cleansing aspect of the night-time economy scrutiny review.

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