Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

The Executive Leader was invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interest he might have in the business on the agenda.

He declared a personal non-prejudicial interest as he is a Board Member of Welcome to Yorkshire.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2011.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the last meeting of the Decision Session of the Executive Leader, held on 1 February 2011 be approved and signed by the Executive Leader as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting can do so. The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Monday 28 February 2011.               

Members of the public may register to speak on:-

·        an item on the agenda;

·        an issue within the Executive Member’s remit;

·        an item that has been published on the Information Log since the last session.  Information reports are listed at the end of the agenda. 

It had been reported that there had been one registration speak.

Officers from the Citizens Advice Bureau spoke on item 4 One-City Update and  informed the Executive Leader why the £25,000 funding would be beneficial to them. They explained how debt advice was essential for York residents especially at this present time, as some residents were suffering financially due to job losses.

The Executive Leader was informed that they would use the funds to maintain their Specialist Debt Services which would allow a Specialist Debt Advisor to train more volunteers.  This would provide more face to face assistance to York residents during this economic downturn. Officers stated that with extra volunteers they could assist even more people for the same money ensuring a continued quality of service.

This report  follows up reports presented in 2008 and 2009 under the One City banner on York’s economic position. These recognised that the Council and its partners can take action to assist the city during this period of downturn to help business as well as those individuals and communities hardest hit. This report sets out progress with actions taken and seeks the approval of the Executive Leader to re-allocate a small element of unspent monies from the projects previously approved.

RESOLVED: 

(i) That the progress made with measures undertaken by the Council in response to the economic downturn be noted.

(ii) That it be agreed to re-allocate £25,000 from the previously approved project to extend community savings points to support actions undertaken by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in line with Annex 3 of the report.

(iii) That a business plan, to include the re-allocated funds, be produced by officers and the CAB.

(iv) That the Executive Leader agreed to receive further updates on York’s economic climate and assessment of the effectiveness of actions imitated as a result of this report.

(v) That a letter be drafted to Vince Cable MP regarding the sustainability of funding for advice with regard to financial inclusion

Reason: To support businesses and residents in response to the current economic situation.

The Executive Leader considered a report that sought his approval to re-allocate a small element of unspent monies from the projects previously approved in 2008 and 2009 under the One City banner on York’s economic position. The Executive Leader was informed that those reports recognised that the Council and its partners could take action to assist the city during this period of downturn to help businesses as well as those individuals and communities hardest hit.

Officers gave an update and informed the Executive Leader that the Economic Performance Indicators showed that generally the local economy of York was still performing well when compared to regional and national averages.

The Executive Leader thanked the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for their comments and for answering his questions. The Executive Leader discussed potential monies for the voluntary sector and requested CYC and CAB officers draft a letter to Vince Cable MP regarding the sustainability of funding for advice with regard to financial inclusion. ²

The Executive Leader agreed to approve to re-allocate £25,000 to the CAB and requested they work with CYC officers to include the funds in a business plan.¹

RESOLVED: 

(i) That the progress made with measures undertaken by the Council in response to the economic downturn be noted.

(ii) That it be agreed to re-allocate £25,.000 from the previously approved project to extend community savings points to support actions undertaken by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in line with Annex 3 of the report.

(iii) That a business plan, to include the re-allocated funds, be produced by CYC officers and the CAB.

(iv) That the Executive Leader agreed to receive further updates on York’s economic climate and assessment of the effectiveness of actions imitated as a result of this report.

(v) That a letter be drafted to Vince Cable MP regarding the sustainability of funding for advice with regard to financial inclusion.

Reason: To support businesses and residents in response to the current economic situation.