Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting the Cabinet Member is asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

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

The Cabinet Member was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial or any disclosable interests that she might have had in the business on the agenda. She declared none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 4 December 2014.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session- Cabinet Member for Homes & Safer Communities & Cabinet Member for Finance & Performance (Joint Decision Session) held on 4 December 2014 be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Friday 19 December 2014.

Members of the public may register to speak on an item on the agenda or an issue within the Cabinet Member’s remit.

Filming or Recording Meetings

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/downloads/download/3130/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report seeks approval for proposed changes to the tenancy agreement for all existing and future council housing tenants, in particular  significant changes to succession rights.

Resolved: That Option 2, to agree the proposed changes including succession rights to bring the tenancy agreement in line with current legislation and to consult with Sheltered Housing Tenants on the changes specific to their housing schemes be approved.

Reason:    This will bring the tenancy agreement in line with the Localism Act and other changes identified and agreed through consultation. This will reduce the risk of expensive legal challenge and maximise the use of the authority’s housing stock.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which sought approval for proposed changes to the tenancy agreement for all existing and future council housing tenants, in particular significant changes to succession rights.

Officers introduced the report and the reasons for the changes, in particular the removal of the automatic ‘second’ succession right to inherit a tenancy.

The Cabinet Member stated that she was pleased to see that consultation had been carried out with the York Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations over the proposed changes.

She gave consideration to the following options:

Option 1- To retain the existing tenancy agreement.

Option 2- To agree the proposed changes, including succession rights to bring the tenancy agreement in line with current legislation and to consult with sheltered scheme tenants regarding the proposed amendments to agreements for Sheltered Schemes.

Option 3- To reduce the existing succession rights but not to the level set out in the Localism Act and who these can apply to along with other changes and to consult with sheltered scheme tenants regarding the proposed amendments to agreements for Sheltered Schemes.

Resolved: That Option 2, (to agree the proposed changes including succession rights to bring the tenancy agreement in line with current legislation and to consult with Sheltered Housing Tenants on the changes specific to their housing schemes) be approved.

Reason:    This will bring the tenancy agreement in line with the Localism Act and other changes identified and agreed through consultation. This will reduce the risk of expensive legal challenge and maximise the use of the authority’s housing stock.

The purpose of this report is to enable the Cabinet Member for Communities to review the results of legal actions (prosecutions, cautions and fixed penalties) undertaken by Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Licensing, the Regional Scambuster Team, and the National Trading Standards eCrime Centre as well as action taken by Housing Services for the period 1 April 2014 to 30 September 2014

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     So that the Cabinet Member reviews formal enforcement activity undertaken by Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Licensing, the Regional Scambuster Team, and the National Trading Standards eCrime Centre and Housing Services.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which enabled her to review the results of legal actions (prosecutions, cautions and fixed penalties) undertaken by Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Licensing, the Regional Scambuster Team, and the National Trading Standards eCrime Centre as well as action taken by Housing Services for the period 1 April 2014 to 30 September 2014.

The Cabinet Member was informed about work carried out before legal action was pursued. It was highlighted that legal action was only taken when previous work with customers to modify behaviour had failed.

The Cabinet Member thanked all the teams for all the work they had done.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     So that the Cabinet Member reviews formal enforcement activity undertaken by Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Licensing, the Regional Scambuster Team, and the National Trading Standards eCrime Centre and Housing Services.

This report informs the Cabinet Member of the work undertaken by City of York Council Trading Standards Service to prevent the illegal sales of age-restricted products.

Resolved: That the report be noted and that Option 1, to continue with the programme of education and enforcement action as set out for the next 12 months, be adopted.

Reason:   To minimise the level of illegal underage sales in the city.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which informed her of the work undertaken by City of York (CYC) Trading Standards Service to prevent the illegal sales of age-restricted products. It sought approval for the programme of action for the next 12 months regarding the enforcement of:

(i)           The Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 in relation to cigarettes and tobacco.

(ii)          The Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 in relation to aerosol paint.

The following Options were considered:

Option 1- The Council continue with the programme of education and enforcement action as set out in paragraph 5 of the report, for the next 12 months.

Option 2- The Council may adopt a different programme of education and enforcement.

The Cabinet Member felt that the Council should continue with the existing programme of education and enforcement action as it was producing good results and low levels of sales.

Resolved: That the report be noted and Option 1 (the programme of education and enforcement action for the next 12 months as set out at paragraph 5 of the Officer’s report) be approved.

Reason:   To minimise the level of illegal underage sales in the city.