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.

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member was asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests he may have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th March 2016.

Resolved:           That the minutes of the last Decision Session held on 8^th March 2016 be approved and signed by the Executive Member 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 11^th April 2016.

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 under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

It was reported that a late written submission in relation to agenda item 4 ‘Acomb Front Street’ had been received from Councillor Stuart Barnes outlining a number of points. The submission is attached to the online agenda for this meeting. It was noted that in conjunction with Officers, the Executive Member would provide a written response to Councillor Barnes.

This report asks the Executive Member (Deputy Leader) to consider a request to transfer the Acomb Front Street budget to Acomb Alive.

Resolved:           That the Executive Member agreed to:

(i)      Transfer the remaining Acomb Front Street budget to Acomb Alive

Reason:              To empower the business community in Acomb to improve the area.

(ii)      Appropriate governance arrangements being adopted by Acomb Alive to include the Council receiving regular updates on how the money has been spent and the outcomes achieved.

Reason:              To ensure that Acomb Alive will be aqequately placed to manage the budget on the specific purposes outlined in the original paper to Executive in October 2013.

The Executive Member considered a report which requested the transfer of the fund to improve the economy of Acomb Front Street to the Acomb Alive group.

Officers gave a brief update to advise of an amendment to paragraph 4 of the report to state that it would be the Director for City and Environmental Services who should receive details of Acomb Alive as an accountable body.

The Executive Member sought clarification on what the funds to date had been spent on. Officers confirmed that the largest spend had been £8.5k on benches. Christmas trees and lights and planters had also been purchased. There was also a desire for the creation of a website to p[promote the area. It was also confirmed that the fund was a one off investment rather than an ongoing one.

Resolved:           That the Executive Member agreed to:

(i)      Transfer the remaining Acomb Front Street budget to Acomb Alive

Reason:              To empower the business community in Acomb to improve the area.

(ii)      Appropriate governance arrangements being adopted by Acomb Alive to include the Council receiving regular updates on how the money has been spent and the outcomes achieved.

Reason:              To ensure that Acomb Alive will be aqequately placed to manage the budget on the specific purposes outlined in the original paper to Executive in October 2013.

This report provides an update on the work that has been undertaken to progress our business friendly ambitions since the last report to Executive in December 2015.

Resolved:           That the Executive Member:

(i)      Noted the work that has been undertaken to reach the objective of becoming a Business Friendly Council.

Reason:              To ensure that the administration is aware of the work being carried out towards becoming a Business Friendly Council.

(ii)      Advised that the following options be preferable as next steps:

·          Audit of the Council’s existing business support arrangements

·          Look at the Council’s website to check it provides easy to use channels through which businesses can access what they need.

·          Business Friendly Charter.

Reason:              To develop options agreed by the Executive Member within a structured initial timescale, and to provide an update report for discussion by the Executive Member in Autumn 2016.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided an update on the Council’s ambition to become a Business Friendly Council.

Officers outlined the report and advised that there were 3 main areas of work with different themes – communication, consultation and behaviours.

Following further discussion, the Executive Member agreed that the three main focus points should be the Councils website, developing a charter and a review of the current business support arrangements.

Resolved:           That the Executive Member:

(i)      Noted the work that has been undertaken to reach the objective of becoming a Business Friendly Council.

Reason:              To ensure that the administration is aware of the work being carried out towards becoming a Business Friendly Council.

(ii)      Advised that the following options be preferable as next steps:

·          Audit of the Council’s existing business support arrangements

·          Look at the Council’s website to check it provides easy to use channels through which businesses can access what they need.

·          Business Friendly Charter.

Reason:              To develop options agreed by the Executive Member within a structured initial timescale, and to provide an update report for discussion by the Executive Member in Autumn 2016.