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 Member was invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in the business on the Agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Member Decision Session for Neighbourhood Services on Tuesday 17 November 2009.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the Executive Member Decision Session for Neighbourhoods held on 17 November 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Executive Member.

It was reported that the Older People’s Champion had submitted comments in relation to Item 4. The comments would be noted under item 4.

This report informs the Executive Member further about the Community Toilet Scheme, including the experiences of other participating local authorities, and proposes the next steps required to implement the scheme in York.

RESOLVED:

(i)                 That the Executive Member agrees to conduct a pilot, prior to rolling out the scheme across the city, in the Acomb area, and approve the publicity costs to be funded from existing budgets.

REASON:To enable learning from the pilot which will assist in making the decision to roll out the scheme city wide.

(ii)               That the Executive Member approves Option (ii) and pursues a community toilet scheme as an alternative to offering an annual financial consideration.

REASON: To implement a financially sustainable scheme which will increase public toilet and facilities available across the city.

(iii)             That the Executive Member agrees to set up a scheme to regularly monitor the businesses participating in a community toilet scheme to ensure compliance with the agreed terms and conditions.

REASON:To ensure the Council meets its obligations in providing high quality and accessible public toilets.

(iv)              That a further report be brought to the Decision Session of the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services on 20 April 2010,  detailing the outcome of the pilot and potential for roll out to the wider city.

REASON:To consider using a community toilet scheme as a method to increase public toilet provision.

(v)                That the results of the pilot be discussed with the Older Peoples Assembly.

REASON:       To keep the Older Peoples Assembly informed.

The Executive Member considered a report which advised further on the Community Toilet Scheme, including the experience of other participating local authorities and proposed the next steps required to implement the scheme in York.

Further to the last update in July, research into the experience of other local authorities has found that a number of community toilet schemes are running successfully around the country. In particular, Richmond-Upon-Thames set up the first scheme and it is now receiving government recognition and endorsement. There is much evidence to suggest that local authorities running the scheme are able to make savings following the implementation of the scheme and offer a greater provision of public convenience. The number of businesses participating in the scheme depends on how widely an authority decides to run the scheme.

Councillor Hyman as Older People’s Champion had submitted some comments about the scheme. He advised a timescale is needed to enable the businesses involved to prepare, he agreed signage is important and reminded officers to consult with the York Older Peoples Assembly.

Officers advised that they believe a community toilet scheme in York would deliver value for money and provide further Public Convenience provision for residents and visitors. They advised that conducting a pilot of the scheme would be beneficial and the Acomb retail area had been identified as suitable for the pilot.

The Executive Member commented that Acomb would be a good place to start the scheme due to its selection of shops and cafes. A report back in April  was requested and Officers were advised to consult with the York Older Peoples Assembly on the matter.

RESOLVED:

(i)                 That the Executive Member agrees to conduct a pilot, prior to rolling out the scheme across the city, in the Acomb area, and approve the publicity costs to be funded from existing budgets.

REASON: To enable learning from the pilot which will assist in making the decision to roll out the scheme city wide.

(ii)               That the Executive Member approves Option (ii) and pursues a community toilet scheme as an alternative to offering an annual financial consideration.

REASON: To implement a financially sustainable scheme which will increase public toilet

(iii)             That the Executive Member agrees to set up a scheme to regularly monitor the businesses participating in a community toilet scheme to ensure compliance with the agreed terms and conditions.

(iv)              That a further report be brought to a future decision session of the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services detailing the outcome of the pilot and potential for roll out to the wider city.¹

This report seeks the Executive Members approval to the proposed Bereavement Services Service Asset Management Plan.

RESOLVED: That the Executive Member accepts the report on the proposed Bereavement Services Asset Management Plan and recommends it be amended as discussed and appended to the report on Cremators due to the Executive.

REASON:      To support the CRAM bid being made for the replacement of the Cremators at York Cemetery.

The Executive Member considered a report which sought approval to the proposed Bereavement Services Asset Management Plan (SAMP).

Service Asset Management Plans are one of the documents which Property Services use to deliver the principles of Asset Management Planning across the Council. Extensive work has recently been carried out in looking at the future for Bereavement Services in York as a result of the requirement to install new cremators at York Crematorium and the need to enhance customer experience by way of improvements to the Crematorium. Therefore it was felt appropriate to produce a Service Asset Management Plan to look at the property inhabited by the Bereavement Service and define a way forward.

The Executive Member queried the following:

• Why the report had been brought to the Decision Session, as the matter of the required number of Cremators was yet to be considered by the Executive. Officers advised that SAMP was to assist in identifying need and would support the bid for Cremators.
• What repairs were required at the Crematorium. Officers advised that the document is ‘live’ in respect of repairs and is not a picture of need for a set time. It is subject to change as repairs are identified.
• It was suggested that paragraph 2.14 of the SAMP should indicate the current number of services per year.
• Whether the SAMP should contain information regarding the arrangements in place with Fulford Cemetery.

The Executive Member commented that she was happy to accept the report, rather than approve on the basis that it be appended to the Cremators report, due to the Executive, with amendments made.

RESOLVED: That the Executive Member accepts the report on the proposed Bereavement Services Asset Management Plan and recommends it be amended as discussed and appended to the report on Cremators due to the Executive.¹

REASON:      To support the CRAM bid being made for the replacement of the Cremators at York Cemetery.