Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personals interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of business on the agenda. No additional interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last Executive meeting held on 16 March 2017.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the last Executive meeting held on 16 March 2017 be approved and then signed by the Chair as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Wednesday 26 April 2017.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

“Please note this meeting will be filmed and webcast and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

It was reported that there had been two registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.  The registrations were in respect of the following items:

Proposed Long Term Lease – Tang Hall Community Centre

Graham Hutchinson spoke in support of the granting of a long term lease of the Centre to the Trustees of Tang Hall Community Centre. He confirmed that the Trustees had a good Management Board and business model and stated that a 30 year lease would allow them to access additional funding sources to support work in the local community. 

CYC Customer Transport – Future Options and Approaches

Andrew Mortimer spoke as a carer of one of the service users affected by the changes proposed to the Council’s customer transport service. He acknowledged the pressures on Council services however; he raised concern that continuation of the current arrangements had not been put forward as an option for consideration in the report. He also raised concerns that no consultation had been undertaken with carers and requested Members to consider the other options, prior to making a decision, or if time did not allow approve option 2.

To receive details of those items that are listed on the Forward Plan for the next two Executive meetings.

Members received and noted details of the items that were on the Forward Plan for the next two Executive meetings, at the time the agenda had been published.

The Licensing Manager to present a report which seeks the Executive’s formal adoption of the new Licensing Policy which relates to the licensing of sex establishments.

Resolved:   That the Executive approves Option 1 of the report and adopts a revised Licensing Policy relating to the licensing of sex establishments.

Reason:      This will allow the Council to implement a more robust Licensing Policy and conditions relating to the licensing of sex establishments.

Members considered a report which sought the formal adoption of the new Licensing Policy which related to the licensing of sex establishments.  It advised of the consultations undertaken, and the amendments made to the draft policy following the consultation.

Officers presented the report, confirming that there was no statutory requirement for local authorities to set policies in relation to the licensing of sex establishments, however it was considered best practice to bring transparency, accountability, consistency and the promotion of good standards.

Members thanked Officers for their work on the policy, in particular for work with partners and the consultation undertaken.

Consideration was then given to

Option 1 –  approve and adopt the revised Licensing Policy (incorporating standard conditions) at Annex 2 to the report.  Prior to their approval of the Licensing Policy the Gambling, Licensing & Regulatory Committee had taken into consideration the responses received to the public consultation. 

Option 2 –  make further minor amendments and editing changes  to the revised Licensing Policy at Annex 2 to the report which did not alter the substance of the document prior to approval and adoption.

Resolved:   That the Executive approves Option 1 of the report and adopts a revised Licensing Policy relating to the licensing of sex establishments. ^1.

Reason:      This will allow the Council to implement a more robust Licensing Policy and conditions relating to the licensing of sex establishments.

The Assistant Director of Regeneration & Asset Management and the Operations Manager to present  a report which seeks an Executive decision on granting a lease of Tang Hall Community Centre to the Trustees of Tang Hall Community Centre for a term of 30 years at a peppercorn rent.

Resolved:   That the Executive agree to the letting of the Tang Hall Community Centre to the Trustees of Tang Hall Community Centre for a Term of 30 years, at a peppercorn rent, in accordance with the general conditions set out in the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy.

Reason:      To ensure the sustainable future use of a community facility and transfer maintenance and repair responsibilities to the trustees.

Members considered a report which sought Member approval to grant the lease of Tang Hall Community Centre to the Trustees of Tang Hall Community Centre (TTHCC) for a Term of 30 years at a peppercorn rent.

Officers reported on the work undertaken with the Trustees over the last 4 years, including support provided to enable the trustees to make an informed decision on the asset transfer. They confirmed that the Centre had a strong management board and business plan with a proven track record of obtaining funding.

Members expressed their support for the transfer and their thanks to Councillor Funnell for her commitment to the project.

Resolved:   That the Executive agree to the letting of the Tang Hall Community Centre to the Trustees of Tang Hall Community Centre for a Term of 30 years, at a peppercorn rent, in accordance with the general conditions set out in the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy. ^1.

Reason:      To ensure the sustainable future use of a community facility and transfer maintenance and repair responsibilities to the trustees.

The Assistant Director of Regeneration & Asset Management and Head of Asset and Property Management to present a report which sets out options for the future disposal of the property at 29 Castlegate.

Resolved:   That the Executive agrees:

(i)      The disposal of the freehold of 29 Castlegate to York Conservation Trust for £431,250;

(ii)      To delegate to the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Performance, to agree the final terms of sale that provide adequate safeguards/controls to the Council to protect the property from future commercial sale.

Reason:      To obtain a substantial capital receipt and also considerable social value in enabling disabled access to and the development of an improved leisure and historic attraction in conjunction with the adjoining Fairfax House.

Members considered a report which set out options for the future disposal of the property at 29 Castlegate.

Officers confirmed that there was no ongoing Council need for the Castlegate property, following the relocation of the Connexions youth service to Sycamore House. They also reported on an approach from the York Conservation Trust (YCT) to purchase the freehold of the property for a sum 25% lower than the independent valuation figure, which would enable the Trust to extend and improve Fairfax House, to provide benefits to both the public and the economy.

Officers updated on the financial implications in the report, in particular, reporting that confirmation had been received that the sale of the property would no longer require notification of approval by the EU Commission. In answer to questions raised Officers also updated on the delays in the reconfiguration of Sycamore House for use by the youth service.

Following further discussion Member considered the following options:

1. Sell the property to the York Conservation Trust  for £431,250 on the terms as set out in the report

2. Refuse the sale to York Conservation Trust at the discounted figure and sell on the open market once CYC had moved out

Members suggested the insertion of a clause in the sale contract to protect the future interests of the Council should the proposed Fairfax House scheme not go ahead and the property is subsequently sold.

Resolved:   That the Executive agrees:

(i)      The disposal of the freehold of 29 Castlegate to York Conservation Trust for £431,250;

(ii)      To delegate to the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Performance, to agree the final terms of sale that provide adequate safeguards/controls to the Council to protect the councils interests in the eventuality of the Fairfax House scheme not going ahead and the property is subsequently sold^1.

Reason:      To obtain a substantial capital receipt and also considerable social value in enabling disabled access to and the development of an improved leisure and historic attraction in conjunction with the adjoining Fairfax House.

The Commissioning Manager to present a report which considers the options available for the delivery of an efficient sustainable transportation model for adult social care customers (aligned with the principles of independence, choice and control as set out in the Care Act 2014).

Resolved:   That the Executive approves:

a)    Option 1 within the report – the personalised approach for customer transport;

b)    The eligibility criteria for access to transport services (as set out in Section 7.2) of the report;

c)    The closure of the CYC Fleet Transport Service by March 2020;

d)    The establishment of a Transport Service User and Carer Forum to help manage the transitional arrangements and ensure all views are listened to and taken into account as the process evolves over the next  2 to 3 years.

Reason:      To deliver a sustainable, integrated transportation model which empowers adult customers to exercise independence, choice and control over their transport arrangements (in line with the principles of the Care Act 2014).

Members considered a report which set out options available for the delivery of an efficient sustainable transportation model for adult social care customers (aligned with the principles of independence, choice and control as set out in the Care Act 2014).

Officers reported on the options considered and confirmed that the recommended personalised option offered a direct payment to adult customers to enable them to make their own transport arrangements, whilst also providing the flexibility that was required. They confirmed that the proposals adopted the same approach as had been applied to the children’s transport service.

It was noted that support would also be provided, via a dedicated project manager, to support vulnerable customers on a one to one basis to adapt to the new personalised model.

Members highlighted the additional needs of vulnerable customers who were reliant on the existing transport arrangements and, in particular, their carers who also required additional support.

Consideration was given to the following options:

1: personal budget approach

2: approach the market to deliver adult’s transport  

3: in-house approach

4: continuation of existing arrangements

Resolved:   That the Executive approves:

a)    Option 1 within the report – the personalised approach for customer transport;

b)    The eligibility criteria for access to transport services (as set out in Section 7.2) of the report; ^1.

c)    The closure of the CYC Fleet Transport Service by March 2020; ^2.

d)    The establishment of a Transport Service User and Carer Forum to help manage the transitional arrangements and ensure all views are listened to and taken into account as the process evolves over the next 2 to 3 years. ^3.

Reason:      To deliver a sustainable, integrated transportation model which empowers adult customers to exercise independence, choice and control over their transport arrangements (in line with the principles of the Care Act 2014).

The Director of Children’s Services, Education & Skills and the Principal Neighbourhood Management Officer to present a report which outlines plans for the delivery of a new local-area based financial inclusion project (4Community Growth York) to be carried out over 2 years as part of the York Financial Assistance Scheme.

Resolved:   That the Executive agrees:

a)    The implementation of the 4CommunityGrowthYork – Local area-based financial inclusion project as outlined in paragraphs 7 – 20 of the report.

b)    That the multiagency 4CommunityGrowthYork Local Action Group be supported.

c)    The use of a Social Return on Investment measurement tool for the duration of the project, in order to measure impact and social value for every £ invested and to support funding decisions.

Reason:      In order to support people in the identified communities to realise their potential and encourage financial stability and self reliance.

Members considered a report which outlined plans for the delivery of a new local-area based financial inclusion project (4Community Growth York) to be carried out over 2 years as part of the York Financial Assistance Scheme.

Officers confirmed details of the proposals to target funds to run multi agency financial inclusion projects within the Westfield, Clifton, Guildhall, Heworth, and Hull Road Wards.

Cllr Aspden confirmed that this project fell within his Deputy Leader, Economic Development & Community Engagement portfolio with progress being reported through the Financial Inclusion Steering Group. He expressed his support for the work which would replicate work already undertaken and be judged on the outcomes.

Following discussion it was

Resolved:   That the Executive agrees:

a)    The implementation of the 4CommunityGrowthYork – Local area-based financial inclusion project as outlined in paragraphs 7 – 20 of the report.

b)    That the multiagency 4CommunityGrowthYork Local Action Group be supported.

c)    The use of a Social Return on Investment measurement tool for the duration of the project, in order to measure impact and social value for every £ invested and to support funding decisions. ^1.

Reason:      In order to support people in the identified communities to realise their potential and encourage financial stability and self reliance.