Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, 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.

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 a personal interest in Agenda Item 4 (York, Gypsy Roma & Travellers Site-Rent Increase Petition) as she was involved in the Council of Roma Alliance. No other interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 22 December 2014.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Decision Session – Cabinet Member for Communities held on 22 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 Monday 9 February 2015.

Members of the public may speak on:

·        an item on the agenda,

·        an issue within the Cabinet Member’s remit.

Filming or Recording Meetings

Please note this meeting will be audio recorded 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 Officers (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 one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Stephen Pittam, a trustee of York Travellers Trust spoke regarding Agenda Item 4 (York Gypsy Roma & Travellers Sites-Rent Increase Petition). It was noted that the petition had been signed by Travellers from all sites across the city. Mr Pittam expressed his concerns at the rent increases themselves and the process that had taken place to implement them. His main concerns were;

·        Fairness and Equality- he understood that there had been no consultation document accessible to the public, it was only until a Freedom of Information request was put in October 2014 that this was released.

·        That he felt that it forced the community into greater welfare dependency.

·        That legally a rise in pitch fees were only implemented once a year and only subject to improvements, and in his view this had not been met.

On 9 December 2014 the Council received a petition signed by residents of York’s three Gypsy Roma & Travellers sites. The petition relates to the 2014/15 travellers site rent increase, the first stage of which was implemented in April 2014 and the second stage of which was implemented on the 1^st December. The petition stated ‘We do NOT agree to these increased pitch fees’. This report provides the background to this petition and asks for a decision on how to proceed.

Resolved: That option 1, to continue to support the second phase of the rent increase which was implemented on 1 December 2014, be approved

Reason:    Phase 2 of the increase has been independently agreed to and paid by all of pitch holders.  This additional funding will be used to appoint a site manager/supervisor to improve the support and management of the sites.

The Cabinet Member considered a report that provided the background to a petition signed by residents of York’s three Gypsy Roma & Travellers sites and asked her for a decision on how to proceed.

The petition related to the 2014/15 travellers site rent increase, the first stage of which was implemented in April 2014 and the second stage of which was implemented on the 1December 2014. The petition stated ‘We do NOT agree to these increased pitch fees’.

In reference to comments made by the speaker under Public Participation, the Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods confirmed that they were currently seeking advice in regards to legal issues over pitch fees. She also added that the Council was aware of the need for managing the sites but wanted to work with York Travellers Trust.

The Cabinet Member added that better site management had to be funded from rents and highlighted that other organisations in the region charged more to manage their sites effectively.

Resolved: That option 1, to continue to support the second phase of the rent increase which was implemented on 1 December 2014, be approved

Reason:    Phase 2 of the increase has been independently agreed to and paid by all of pitch holders.  This additional funding will be used to appoint a site manager/supervisor to improve the support and management of the sites.