Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.  The following interests were declared in agenda item 4 (Union Terrace Car and Coach Park – Disposal):

·         Cllr Alexander – a personal interest, as a member of the GMB union, which has premises on Gillygate, and a former employee of York St John University (YSJU).

·         Cllr Crisp – a personal interest, as a member of the retired section of Unison

·         Cllr Fraser – a personal interest, as a member of the retired sections of Unison and Unite (ACTS/TGWU Sections)

·         Cllr Simpson-Laing – a personal interest, as a member of Unison and as someone who works for a charity receiving funding from YSJU’s ‘Aim Higher’ programme.

Cllr Looker, having declared at the preceding Council meeting a prejudicial interest due to her employment by York St John University, did not attend the Cabinet meeting and took no part in the discussion or decision on item 4.

To consider excluding of the press and public from the meeting during consideration of Annex 2 to Agenda Item 4 (Union Terrace Car Park - Disposal) on the grounds that it contains information relating to the business and financial affairs of particular persons.  This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

Members indicated that they did not intend to make a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting at any stage, as they would not be entering a detailed discussion on the exempt information contained in Annex 2 to the original report at agenda item 4 (Union Terrace Car Park – Disposal).

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding the business on this agenda or an item within the Cabinet’s remit can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00 pm on Wednesday 3 August 2011.

It was reported that there had been two registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.  In addition, three Members of Council had requested to speak.  All wished to make comments in relation to agenda item 4 (Union Terrace Car and Coach Park – Disposal).

Philip Crowe expressed concerns about the process that had been followed by the Council in dealing with this issue and the quality of the information provided to date.  He suggested that YSJU should provide a development plan and consider the possibility expansion on a different site.

Trevor Fenwick drew attention to the success of the ‘Save Union Terrace Car and Coach Park’ campaign and expressed the hope that Members would take proper notice of the results of any consultation.

Cllr Steward expressed the view that the proposals did not match up with the priorities set out in the draft Council Plan and suggested that Members should be considering three consultation options: to sell the site, to sell part of the site or to do nothing.

Cllr Cuthbertson raised concerns about the processes followed by the Council in dealing with this matter and about the inadequacy of the equalities and economic impact assessments provided.  He suggested that the proposals should be considered in the context of the City Centre Action Plan.

Cllr Warters questioned the validity of the consultation if it did not include an option not to sell the site at all.

This report considers the potential sale of the Union Terrace Car and Coach park site to the York St John University (YSJU) in order to enable development of the site to deliver new facilities and additional space as part of the implementation of YSJU’s business expansion strategy.

Please note:

This agenda was re-published on 2 August 2011 to include an additional annex to the above report (Annex 7).  The annex is in the form of a report presenting an update and revised recommendations to Cabinet on the potential sale of the Union Terrace Car and Coach park site.  These recommendations include asking Members to consider approving consultation on five development options, all of which involve the retention of coach parking on the site.

RESOLVED: (i)         That consultation be undertaken with the City’s residents, businesses and organisations on selling part of the Union Terrace Car and Coach Park site and on the five development options, all of which involve the retention of coach parking on the site.

                        (ii)        That York St John University establish a retail / business forum and further examine how local communities and companies could benefit from the expansion plans.

REASON:      To provide an opportunity for public consultation on the potential sale of the site and on different options for retaining coach parking on Union Terrace, and to develop the Council’s approach to targeted recruitment and training.

Members received a report which presented proposals to sell the Union Terrace Car and Coach Park site (the Site) to York St John University (YSJU), to allow the Site to be developed as part of the implementation of YSJU’s business expansion strategy.

An additional annex to the report (Annex 7), containing an update on the proposals and revised recommendations, had been published with the agenda on 2 August 2011.  It was these recommendations that Members discussed and considered, in the context of the information provided in the original report.  They had been developed following meetings with local businesses, the coach industry and campaigners objecting to the sale, which had highlighted the importance of coach parking and tourism to the City’s economy.  YSJU had confirmed, during subsequent discussions, that a smaller land take from the Union Terrace site would enable their expansion plans to continue whilst retaining space for parking on the site.  The recommendation now was that consultation be carried out over a six week period on five options, retaining between 20 and 34 coach spaces on Union Terrace, together with accessible parking provision, and ensuring no overall loss of coach parking in the City.  Details were attached at Annexes 7A-7E.

Having taken into account the comments made on this item under Public Participation / Other Speakers, together with the contents of the petition presented at the meeting of Full Council prior to the Cabinet meeting, and the comments and debate at Council on the petition and the notice of motion, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That consultation be undertaken with the City’s residents, businesses and organisations on selling part of the Union Terrace Car and Coach Park site and on the five development options, all of which involve the retention of coach parking on the site.¹

                        (ii)        That York St John University establish a retail / business forum and further examine how local communities and companies could benefit from the expansion plans.²

REASON:      To provide an opportunity for public consultation on the potential sale of the site and on different options for retaining coach parking on Union Terrace, and to develop the Council’s approach to targeted recruitment and training.