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 interests he might have in the business on the agenda.  He declared he had none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2010.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the last meeting of the Decision Session of   the Executive Leader, held on 5 October 2010 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 6 December 2010.               

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 to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

A representative spoke on item 5 “Job Connect Clifton” – a project to tackle worklessness. He informed the Executive Leader that he felt this was an excellent initiative and good for the community. He expressed how it can be difficult for some people, such as, single parents, the older aged residents and people who suffer mental health issues to find work and organise their life’s around it. He thanked officers for the work they had already done in the area and he felt this initiative was a great way to support and advise the local residents.

This report seeks to provide an update on broadband infrastructure provision in the City of York and to set a strategic aim for businesses in the City to have broadband connections with speeds of at least 20Mbps by 2012.

RESOLVED:  That the Executive Leader requested officers:

i.          continue to work with other parties interested in providing super-fast broadband in the City where these proposals are believed to be realistic and deliverable, with an overall strategic objective for businesses being able to have broadband connections with speeds of at least 20Mpbs by 2012.

ii.                  ensure work aligns with government objectives.

iii.                review potential funding streams that become available.

iv.                consult with residents and businesses.

Reason:  To support the strategic objectives of the Sustainable Community Strategy and Corporate Strategy.

The Executive Leader consider a report that provided an update on broadband infrastructure provision in the City of York and to set a strategic aim for businesses in the City to have broadband connections with speeds of at least 20Mbps by 2012.

Officers gave an update and confirmed they:

·        were continuing to work with other parties interested in providing super-fast broadband in the City.

·        had a positive working relationship with all the interested parties.

·        were maintaining and facilitating the provision.

·        were identifying any potential gaps and would work with other parties to address these gaps.

·        would continue to liaise with Fibrecity.

In answer to the Leaders questions officers stated that they had received a positive response from BT and Siemens were interested in supplying to the rural areas.

RESOLVED:  That the Executive Leader requested officers:

i.          continue to work with other parties interested in providing super-fast broadband in the City where these proposals are believed to be realistic and deliverable, with an overall strategic objective for businesses being able to have broadband connections with speeds of at least 20Mpbs by 2012.

ii.                   ensure work aligns with government objectives.

iii.                review potential funding streams that become available.

iv.                 consult with residents and businesses.

Reason:  To support the strategic objectives of the Sustainable Community Strategy and Corporate Strategy.

In response from a request from Members that officers consider ways of extending the successful work undertaken through the Kingsway West Action Project to other areas of disadvantage in the City, this report sets out a proposal, with funding through the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Programme (RIEP), to tackle worklessness in Clifton - the next area to be considered based upon the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

RESOLVED: 

i.          That the “Job Connect Clifton” project to support local residents from specific priority groups into work be endorsed.

ii.         That any updates be reported to the Executive Leader with an end of project report brought back to the Executive Leader Decision Session

Reason: To address fairness and inclusion issues in the city through a targeted approach to worklessness in a specific disadvantaged community.

In response from a request from Members that officers consider ways of extending the successful work undertaken through the Kingsway West Action Project to other areas of disadvantage in the City, the Executive Leader considered a report that sets out a proposal, with funding through the Efficiency Programme (RIEP), to tackle worklessness in Clifton.

Officers thanked the representative for his comments and informed the Executive Leader that currently work was taking place in the Clifton area. In the last two months an Outreach worker from Future Prospects had been working at Clifton Health Centre along side GP’s to connect with local residents to discuss local job opportunities and so far this had resulted in 10 referrals, with 5 applying for jobs.

Officers stated that two days a week a second Outreach worker worked from the Clifton Children’s Centre and Burton Green Primary School.  This outreach worker had spoken to 30 adults in the last month who were interested in working or setting up their own businesses. 

A range of partner organisations had also been consulted and were actively engaged, particularly through Learning City Partnerships. Officers would also be attending the Year 9 options evening at Canon Lee School to offer advice to parents.

The Executive Leader thanked the team for the work they had done and for working through the funding cuts from Yorkshire Forward.  He reminded officers that some individuals may need support to complete an application form and some may need advice on what to expect in an interview.

RESOLVED: 

i.          That the “Job Connect Clifton” project to support local residents from specific priority groups into work be endorsed.

ii.         That any updates be reported to the Executive Leader with an end of project report brought back to the Executive Leader Decision Session.

Reason: To address fairness and inclusion issues in the city through a targeted approach to worklessness in a specific disadvantaged community.