Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive 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 Executive Member was asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests not included on the Register of Interests that he might have had in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 23 September 2016.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 23 September be approved and then 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 at 5.00 pm on Friday 25 November 2016.

Members of the public may register to speak on :-

·        an item on the agenda

·        an issue within the Executive Member’s remit;

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting will 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/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

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

This report updates the Executive Member on the activities of the National Trading Standards Regional Scambuster Team and National Trading Standards eCrime, hosted by City of York Council (Scambusters) and seeks approval for an updated Enforcement Policy for investigations carried out by Scambusters.

Resolved:  That the Executive Member noted the report and approved the updated enforcement policy.

Reason:     To update the Executive Member on the activities of the National Trading Standards Regional Scambuster Team and National Trading Standards eCrime Team hosted by City of York Council (Scambusters) and to ensure the enforcement policy reflects the changes to council structures to reduce the possibility of legal challenge.

The Executive Member considered a report which updated him on the on the activities of the National Trading Standards Regional Scambuster Team and National Trading Standards eCrime Team hosted by City of York Council (Scambusters). It also asked him to approve an updated enforcement policy for investigations carried out by Scambusters.

The Head of Regional Investigations gave a brief background to the report and responded to questions from the Executive Member. He stated that monies recovered via the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) were used by the City of York Council to fund local crime initiatives such as the Safer York Partnership and Community Safety Teams, which was in keeping with Home Office guidance as to how this money should be spent.

The following options were considered by the Executive Member:

Option 1

To note the report and approve the updated enforcement policy in Annex B.

Option 2

To note the report but not to approve the updated enforcement policy in Annex B.

Resolved:  That the Executive Member noted the report and approved the updated enforcement policy.

Reason:     To update the Executive Member on the activities of National Trading Standards Regional Scambuster Team and National Trading Standards eCrime Team hosted by City of York Council (Scambusters) and to ensure the enforcement policy reflects the changes to council structures to reduce the possibility of legal challenge.