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 they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, the Cabinet Member was asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests other than her standing interests that she might have had in the business on the agenda.

The Cabinet Member declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4 (West Bank Park Heritage Centre and Community Café Project) as the Ward Member in which West Bank Park was located.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2013.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 16 December 2013 be signed and approved by the Cabinet 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 Monday 24 February 2014 at 5.00 pm.

Members of the public may register to speak on :-

·        an item on the agenda

·        an issue within the Cabinet Member’s remit;

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

This report asks the Cabinet Member to approve a bid to the Nesta Rethinking Parks programme for the West Bank Park.  The project will look at future parks management using the community café and heritage centre project as a starting point.

Resolved:  That the bid to the Nesta Rethinking Parks programme for the West Bank Park based around the community café and heritage centre project be approved.

Reason:     To seek funding for business planning and development work to improve facilities and community management of the park.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which asked her to approve a bid to the NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) Rethinking Parks programme for the West Bank Park.

The Cabinet Member complimented Officers for all their work on the project and bid and felt that it could be used as a template for other Council parks in the city. It was noted that although the deadline for Stage 1 bids was on Friday 28 February, York’s bid would be submitted on Thursday 27 February.

Officers explained that the NESTA money would not fund actual physical works in the park, but would provide the Council with an opportunity to think about plans for the development of the park. For example, in relation to buildings it was suggested that those located on 14 New Lane were too far away from play areas, and one idea for its usage would be as a business hub.

The Cabinet Member was informed that the Friends of West Bank Park had been informed of the bid and were very enthusiastic about it. Officers felt that the enthusiasm of the community groups involved in the bid had driven the project forward.

Resolved:  That the bid to the NESTA Rethinking Parks programme for the West Bank Park based around the community café and heritage centre project be approved.

Reason:     To seek funding for business planning and development work to improve facilities and community management of the park.