Agenda and draft 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.

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. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Communities and Environment Policy and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 15 March 2017.

The Committee asked that further information be included in the minutes in relation to the item on Flood Risk in York – the York 5 Year Plan Update. Specifically that ‘the Project Director also confirmed that the upgraded flood defences for New Walk and Clementhorpe had been prioritised in the work plan for early delivery.’

Resolved:  That approval of the minutes be deferred until the next appropriate scrutiny meeting.

Reason:    In order that additional information on minute number 47 can be added before the minutes are approved.

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 Tuesday 16 May 2017. 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 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 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 (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/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_f

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60809.pdf

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

This report provides a bi-annual update on Service Delivery activity involving North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) and an update on other relevant issues from within the York and Selby District.  

Members considered a report regarding Service Delivery activity involving North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) that have occurred between the 1st April 2016 – 31st March 2017 and to provide an update regarding other relevant issues from within the York and Selby District.

Dave Dryburgh, Group Manager, was in attendance to present the report and answer Member questions.

Members queried the reasons behind the difficulties of recruiting and retaining on-call (part-time) fire fighters and the steps being taken to address the issue, but were pleased to note it was an improving picture.  They were also pleased to note that the Fire & Rescue local plan was centred around water safety as they recognised it was a key requirement for the city.

Resolved:  That Members note the report.

Reason:     In order that the Committee are up to date with North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Activity.

This report provides the committee with their first formal update on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the previously completed Housing Registrations Scrutiny Review.

Members considered a report which provided them with their first formal update on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the previously completed Housing Registrations Scrutiny Review.

Members were pleased to note that personal interviews had been successfully introduced (recommendation ii), and that following much negotiation a decision had been made to withdraw from the North Yorkshire Home Choice Partnership (recommendation ix).

In regard to recommendations vii & viii, Members recognised the ongoing work to address the need for additional social housing and affordable family homes in the city and accepted that forthcoming changes to legislation would further support that work. 

The Assistant Director for Housing & Community Safety provided details on the expected timeframe for delivering the new IT system (recommendation i). He also confirmed a Project Manager would be in place by June 2017 and that the tendering process would start in Autumn 2017.

Members accepted that the remaining recommendations would only be achievable once the new IT system was in place, and therefore requested that a further update be provided in January 2018.

Resolved:  That;

1.     Members note the implementation update information detailed in Annex A

2.     Recommendations (ii) & (ix) be signed off as fully implemented

3.     A further update on the remaining recommendations be provided to the appropriate Scrutiny Committee in January 2018.

Reason:  To conclude this review in line with scrutiny procedures and protocols and inform the future work of scrutiny.

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