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 15 December 2009.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the Executive Member Decision Session for Neighbourhoods held on 15 December 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Executive Member.

It was reported that Unison had submitted a late written representation in respect of Item 6, the Neighbourhood Services Budget report 2010/11.

This report informs the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods about the Zero Waste places initiative and a proposal for City of York Council to apply for accreditation to the Zero Waste Places Standard scheme.

RESOLVED: (i)That the Officer recommendation to apply for accreditation to the Zero Waste Places Standard Scheme is approved.

(ii)               That the report is referred to the Environment Partnership for comment.

REASON:To maintain the momentum in the challenge to keep reducing waste by providing a framework on which we can build and focus all of our waste management projects and also establish better links with sustainable development work being undertaken in other council directorates, external organisations and community groups.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services considered a report which informs on the Zero Waste Places initiative and a proposal for City of York Council to apply for accreditation to the Zero Waste Places Standard Scheme.

The concept of Zero Waste was introduced in Waste Strategy for England 2007 and is defined as being a simple way of encapsulating the aim to go as far as possible in reducing the environmental impact of waste. Places which are seen to demonstrate a significant attack on waste, including going beyond targets in the Waste Strategy for England 2007, can be accredited to Zero Waste Places. A place can be a street, a market, a retail park, high street, village, town or whole authority.

The Executive Member queried the benefits for York if accreditation to Zero Waste Places Standard were to be applied for. Officers referred to paragraph 11 of the report and advised that the main benefits would be recognition from the Government and that Zero Waste Initiative would assist in creating a sense of pride in the area or community chosen to participate.

The Executive Member agreed to approve Option 2 to apply for accreditation to the Zero Waste Places and requested that the report be referred to the Environment Partnership for comments.

RESOLVED: (i)That the Officer recommendation to apply for accreditation to the Zero Waste Places Standard Scheme is approved.

(ii)               That the report is referred to the Environment Partnership for comment.

REASON:To maintain the momentum in the challenge to keep reducing waste by providing a framework on which we can build and focus all of our waste management projects and also establish better links with sustainable development work being undertaken in other council directorates, external organisations and community groups.

This report has been brought to the Decision Session for further consideration at the request of the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods notes the report.

REASON:                  To keep the Executive Member informed about enforcement activities.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services considered the 2008/09 annual parking services report.

Officers advised that the format of the report meets the required standard of the Secretary of States guidance. The report provides a record of the activities of the parking service  during the 2008/2009 financial year and explains to the public how the service is managed and provides information regarding performance.

The Executive Member commented that she was pleased to see the service performing well, in particular the low number of appeals to the independent parking adjudicator and that initiatives such as park and pay by phone are proving successful.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods notes the report.

REASON:                  To keep the Executive Member informed about enforcement activities.

This report presents the 2010/11 budget proposals for Neighbourhood Services for consideration by the Neighbourhood Services Executive Member.

RESOLVED:(i)That the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods confirms that the budget proposals are in line with the corporate priorities.

(ii)               That the report be referred to the Executive for consideration.

(iii)             That the continuing pressure on the budget due to the further £8 per tonne increase on landfill tax be noted.

(iv)              That the high priority which residents placed on road and footpath maintenance in the Budget Consultation and the extra damage caused by the extreme winter weather be noted and asks the Executive to take these factors into account when setting the budget.

(v)                To note that the continuing need for investment in surface water drainage will be subject to capital investment.

(vi)              That the late written representation from Unison be noted.

REASON:As part of the consultation on the Neighbourhood Services budget for 2010/11.

                              The Executive Member considered a report which presented the 2010/11 budget proposals for Neighbourhood Services including:

·        The revenue budget for 2009/10 to show the existing budgets.

·        The budget adjusted and rolled forward from 2009/10 into 2010/11.

·        The cost of pay and price increases, increments and settlement of pay and grading appeals.

·     Proposals for budget services pressure costs and savings options for the portfolio area.

·     Fees and charges

                              The Director of Neighbourhood Services introduced the report and gave an update on the directorate’s financial position and areas on which there were significant financial pressures.

                              The Executive Member commented that spending on front line delivery of services would be maintained and following the feedback from the residents consultation, it was noted that highway repairs should remain a priority.

                              The Executive Member noted the late written submission from Unison in relation to the proposed deletion of the Business Advice and Education Officer. The Director of Neighbourhood Services confirmed that consultation was still ongoing and that Unison would be  involved in the process.

                              The Executive Member made the following recommendations to the Executive:

RESOLVED:(i)That the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods confirms that the budget proposals are in line with the corporate priorities.

(ii)               That the report be referred to the Executive for consideration.

(iii)             That the continuing pressure on the budget due to the further £8 per tonne increase on landfill tax be noted.

(iv)              That the high priority which residents placed on road and footpath maintenance in the Budget Consultation and the extra damage caused by the extreme winter weather be noted and asks the Executive to take these factors into account when setting the budget.

(v)                To note that the continuing need for investment in surface water drainage will be subject to capital investment.

(vi)              That the late written representation from Unison be noted.

REASON:As part of the consultation on the Neighbourhood Services budget for 2010/11.