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.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services and Advisory Panel on Tuesday 18 May 2010.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the last meeting held on 18 May 2010 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

It was reported that Councillor Simpson-Laing had registered to speak on Item 4, the Petition requesting Installation of Dog Bins outside Carr Junior School. The Executive Member was informed that Councillor Simpson-Laing had been inadvertently delayed and instead, she submitted a written statement. Details are under the relevant  minute  item.

This report advises the Executive Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods of the receipt of a petition from pupils, staff and parents of Carr Junior School together with a petition from pupils and staff of Carr Infant School. It sets out recommended actions in response to the petition.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member:-

(i)            agrees to adopt Option 1, in paragraph 11, and approve the actions proposed.

(ii)            recommends that the Ward Committee fund the additional dog bin and it be serviced by the Council for the standard 3 year period, after which the situation be reviewed to determine if it is still required.

REASON:

To address the issue raised by the petition through the implementation of a comprehensive and partnership approach to tackle the problem of irresponsible dog owners failing to clear up after their dogs in the area.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods considered a report which advised her of the receipt of a petition from pupils, staff and parents of Carr Junior School together with a petition from pupils and staff of Carr Infant School. It set out recommended actions in response to the petition.

Officers outlined the report and advised that bins are installed in any particular area only if there is an overwhelming need i.e. in a ‘hotspot’ area. Officers felt that the Carr Junior School area  could be targeted by other means such as involving the Dog Warden Service and Street Environment Service.  Officers advised such methods would be preferential to them as a city wide audit of dog bins is currently being carried out.

Councillor Simpson Laing submitted a written statement in which she highlighted the following points:

• She had advised Officers in April that it was not advisable to remove the dog bin from the nearby Viking Rd/Tostig Avenue path.
• To combat vandalism the bins require a metal lid.
• Carr School wants a bin in addition to the Viking Road/Tostig bin and the Ward Committee will pay for it.

The Executive Member commented that better communication is required between Environment Officers and Ward Committees so that Ward Committees are aware as to when they are allowed more bins. In this instance the Executive Member felt that the Ward Committee should be allowed to fund their own bin, which the Council would service, with the intention of the situation being reviewed after the standard 3 year service period. The Executive Member also approved Option 1 as recommended by Officers, to tackle the problem by other means.

RESOLVED:            

That the Executive Member:-

(i)            agrees to adopt Option 1, in paragraph 11, and approved the actions proposed.

(ii)            recommends that the Ward Committee fund the additional dog bin and it be serviced by the Council for the standard 3 year period, after which the situation be reviewed to determine if it is still required.

REASON:

To address the issue raised by the petition through the implementation of a comprehensive and partnership approach to tackle the problem of irresponsible dog owners failing to clear up after their dogs in the area.

This report is in response to a petition submitted to Full Council by Councillor Brooks on 8 April 2010 and signed by 56 residents of Holtby Village. The petition requests that the Council installs kerbing to the edge of carriageway along those lengths of Main Street where the verges are not already protected by a kerb edge.

RESOLVED:            

That the Executive Member:-

(i)         notes the receipt of the petition

(ii)            approves Proposal 2, as detailed in paragraph 13 of the report.

REASON:

To alleviate the verge over-run and prevent debris entering the drainage system.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods considered a report submitted in response to a petition submitted to Full Council by Councillor Brooks on 8 April 2010 and signed by 56 residents of Holtby Village.

The petition requested that the Council installs kerbing to the edge of carriageway along those lengths of Main Street where the verges are not already protected by a kerb edge.

Officers outlined the report and advised that a surface dressing scheme will be covering the area concerned. In addition, Officers advised that a drainage investigation had highlighted a problem with verge over-run and debris due to water following heavy rainfall blocking the existing drainage system. As a result, and in response to comments made in the petition it has been established that it will be necessary to lay 600m of kerbing.

The Executive Member was happy to approve the recommendation.

RESOLVED:            

That the Executive Member:-

(i)         notes the receipt of the petition

(ii)            approves Proposal 2, as detailed in paragraph 13 of the report.

REASON:

To alleviate the verge over-run and prevent debris entering the drainage system.

This report informs the Executive Member of the work carried out so far to reduce the energy usage and carbon emissions from the City of York Council street lighting and the proposals for the next 12 months.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member

(i)         notes the work undertaken in 2009-10 that will deliver savings in 2010-11 as set out in appendix 1.

(ii)            approves the proposals for 2010-11 as set out in appendix 2.

REASON:

To reduce energy usage and carbon emissions from City of York Council street lighting over the next 12 months.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods considered a report  which informed her of the work carried out so far to reduce the energy usage and carbon emissions from the City of York Council street lighting and the proposals for the next 12 months.

The Executive Member was happy to approve the recommendations and congratulated Officers on the progress made so far.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member

(i)         notes the work undertaken in 2009-10 that will deliver savings in 2010-11 as set out in appendix 1.

(ii)            approves the proposals for 2010-11 as set out in appendix 2.

REASON:

To reduce energy usage and carbon emissions from City of York Council street lighting over the next 12 months.

Service plans for food law enforcement, health and safety law enforcement and animal health enforcement are produced on an annual basis in response to national requirements. The purpose of this report is to seek approval for these plans.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve the service plans for food law enforcement, health and safety law enforcement and animal health enforcement

REASON:

In order that the Council can discharge its statutory obligations in regard to service planning for environmental health and trading standards services.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods considered a report which sought approval for service plans for food law enforcement, health and safety law enforcement and animal health enforcement which are produced on an annual basis in response to national requirements.

Officers outlined the report and advised that it should be noted that the Food Law Enforcement Service Plan is part of the Council’s Policy Framework and will require Full Council approval.

The Executive Member was happy to approve the National Service Plans and referred them to the Executive for approval..

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve the service plans for food law enforcement, health and safety law enforcement and animal health enforcement.¹

REASON:

In order that the Council can discharge its statutory obligations in regard to service planning for environmental health and trading standards services.

This report sets out the annual performance information for the Neighbourhood Services portfolio for 2009/10.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member notes the performance update set out in the report.

REASON:

In accordance with budgetary and performance monitoring procedures.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods considered a report which set out the annual performance information for the Neighbourhood Services portfolio for 2009/10.

Officers outlined the report, in particular discussions were had on the following issues:

• Waste and recycling – landfill is down and recycling is increasing.
• Roads and pavements conditions – unless significant funding is found there will be little change in the satisfaction scores.

The Executive Member queried how the Year End Performance report would be reported in future due to the recent addition of some Housing matters to her portfolio and asked Officers to think about this. She thanked Officers for their hard work over the year.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member notes the performance update set out in the report.

REASON:

In accordance with budgetary and performance monitoring procedures.