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 declared any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests she may have in the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10 February 2015.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session – Cabinet Member for Communities held on 10 February 2015 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 Tuesday 17 March 2015.

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

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

“Please note this meeting may 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/downloads/download/3130/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings

It was reported that there had been four registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and that one Member of Council had also registered to speak.

Mr Gordon Campbell-Thomas, local shopkeeper, spoke in respect of agenda item 5 – Petition – Street Drinking in Lowther Street, Penley Grove Street, Townend Street and surrounding areas.  He stated that there had been an increasing number of street drinkers and the community had had enough of the fear that they generated. He gave examples of their behaviour, including accosting members of the community and begging.  There had been regular reporting of incidents to the Police 101 number.  Mr Campbell-Thomas urged that action be taken to address this issue and suggested that a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) would be a good way forward.

Councillor Watson, Member of Council, spoke in respect of agenda item 5.  He stated that problems caused by street drinkers needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency.  He drew particular attention to the problems created by used needles which were sometimes discarded and the threat that this posed to public health.  Councillor Watson stated that the scheme in Walmgate had been very successful.  There needed to be constant Police presence and immediate action taken.

Mr Tony Martin, Secretary of the Groves Association, spoke in respect of agenda item 5.  He suggested that, rather than considering the issue on a street by street basis, the River Foss should be seen at a natural barrier.  He also drew the Cabinet Member’s attention to the fact that notices had been removed.

Ms Denise Craghill spoke in respect of agenda item 5.  She stated that she supported the comments that had been made by the earlier speakers.  This issue was of concern during daytime as well as at night and some residents felt uncomfortable or threatened.  Ms Craghill commented on the need to ensure that the problem was not displaced and expressed concern that the report did not include timescales for actions. 

Nick Love, a local resident, spoke in respect of agenda item 5.  He expressed his concern at the impact that off-licences could have and gave details of an incident in which he had been approached for money.  He drew the Cabinet Member’s attention to initiatives that had been implemented in other parts of the country to address this issue, including schemes in Ipswich and Hackney.  Mr Love stated that The Groves was a caring community and it was also important that consideration was given to ways of helping the street drinkers and to provide pathways to rehabilitation. 

The purpose of this report is to respond to the petition received that is asking for garden waste collections to be extended through the winter period.

Resolved:  (i)      That the content of the petition be noted.

(ii)      That the current collection arrangements be maintained (no winter collections).

Reason:     To protect front line waste services and to ensure that the service operates as efficiently as possible.

The Cabinet Member gave consideration to a report which responded to a petition which had been received which asked for garden waste collections to be extended through the winter period.

The Cabinet Member was asked to consider the following options:

Option A:   To maintain the current spring and summer only

                   collections

Option B:   To reinstate winter garden waste collections

Officers gave details of the uptake of the service and stated that evidence suggested that residents were storing the garden waste during the winter period rather than sending it for landfill.  Details were given of the costs involved in reintroducing the winter garden waste collections.

The Cabinet Members thanked the petitioners. 

The Cabinet Member stated that the service was not a statutory one and was not provided to all residents.  To reinstate the winter garden waste collections would necessitate cuts to other services and hence she did not support Option B.  Assistance would be given to help people with composting and work would take place to promote this.

Resolved:  (i)      That the content of the petition be noted.

(ii)      That the current collection arrangements be maintained (no winter collections).

Reason:     To protect front line waste services and to ensure that the service operates as efficiently as possible.

The purpose of this report is to respond to the petition received regarding street dinking in Lowther Street, Penley Grove Street, Townend Street and the surrounding areas.

Resolved:  (i)      That Option 1 in the report be approved i.e. that

receipt of the petition be acknowledged and the ongoing work of the Council and its partners to, subject to the evidence supporting it, pursue a Public Space Protection Order for this area of The Groves be noted.

(ii)      That, with effect from 19 March 2015, Community Protection Notices be issued as appropriate.

Reason:     To ensure that the appropriate action is taken to ensure anti social behaviour is appropriately tackled within the city.

The Cabinet Member gave consideration to a report which responded to a petition that had been received regarding street drinking in Lowther Street, Penley Grove Street, Townend Street and surrounding areas.

The Cabinet Member gave consideration to the following options:

Option 1     Acknowledge receipt of the petition, note the ongoing work of the Council and its partners to collect the evidence and, subject to the evidence supporting it, pursue a Public Space Protection Order for this area of The Groves.

Option 2     Ask officers to consider other options to address the issues highlighted by the petition.

Officers stated that this was an ongoing problem and consideration had been given as to how to utilise the legislation that was available to address this issue.  There was a consultative process to go through and evidence gathering was taking place.

The Cabinet Member thanked the petitioners and speakers for their contribution.  She stated that the Police and other partners were working together to address the problem and that funding had been made available through the anti-social behaviour hub to support the enforcement work.  The Cabinet Member stated that it was also important to ensure that appropriate health and addiction support was in place for the street drinkers.

The Cabinet Member stated that she also intended to utilise the powers that had recently been made available to issue Community Protection Notices.

Resolved:  (i)      That Option 1 in the report be approved i.e. that

receipt of the petition be acknowledged and the ongoing work of the Council and its partners to, subject to the evidence supporting it, pursue a Public Space Protection Order for this area of The Groves be noted.

(ii)      That, with effect from 19 March 2015, Community Protection Notices be issued as appropriate.

Reason:     To ensure that the appropriate action is taken to ensure anti social behaviour is appropriately tackled within the city.