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;

·        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 interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which they had in the business on the agenda. No additional interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 18 April 2017.

Resolved:                     That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 18 April 2017 be approved as a correct record and then signed by the Executive Member.

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 22 September 2017. Members of the public may register to speak on an item on the agenda or 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 e.g. tweeting. Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact Democratic Services (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 presents York Learning’s strategic / business plan for the academic year commencing in September 2017.

Resolved:                     That the York Learning Strategic Service plan 2017/18 be considered by the Executive Member and approved subject to any suggested changes.

Reason:                        To provide sound governance for York Learning Services.

The Executive Member considered a report presenting York Learning’s strategic and business plan for the academic year commencing in September 2017 which formed a key part of the governance arrangements for the service. The Head of York Learning was in attendance to provide an update and answer questions.

It was noted that the plan had been signed off by the Children, Education & Communities Policy & Scrutiny Committee on 19 September 2017 and that the performance targets 2017/18 were still subject to change; they would be presented to the same Committee in due course. It was also explained that the increase of the turnover for the 2017/18 academic year was attributed to the bigger number of students eligible for the high needs support grants as well as introduction of Level 3 and Level 4 loan-funded provision that proved popular among learners. 

In response to the Executive Member’s question, the reasons for the low apprenticeship success rates were clarified:

·        a small number of apprenticeships available which implied higher statistical drop-out percentage;

·        York provision that was focused on health, social care and childcare courses attracting people with low qualifications, for which the outcomes and retention rates were low nationally;

·        the requirement to achieve English, Maths and ICT qualifications alongside a vocational qualification.

The Executive Member was appreciative of the work undertaken, particularly in the areas of job fairs and collaboration with East Riding and it was

Resolved:                     That the York Learning Strategic Service plan 2017/18 be considered by the Executive Member and approved subject to any suggested changes.

Reason:                        To provide sound governance for York Learning Services.

This report seeks approval to transfer the management of council run allotments to York Allotments Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Resolved:                     That the transfer of management of the council-run allotments to York Allotments Charitable Incorporated Organisation (York Allotments CIO) be agreed, subject to the condition listed below.

                                      Condition 1

                                      The Officers shall provide an update report to the Executive Member after their first Annual General Meeting (AGM) and bi-annually thereafter.

Reason:                        To harness the talents and energies of the community and to move the service onto more sustainable management arrangement.

The report seeking approval to transfer the management of council-run allotments to York Allotments Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) was presented to the Executive Member. The Operations Manager for Public Realm (Strategy and Contracts) attended the meeting and explained that all the recommendations presented by the Economy & Place Scrutiny Committee during its pre-decision calling-in session on 11 September 2017 had been implemented. It was noted that one letter from the tenant had been received and that the answer to their queries had also been provided.

The Executive Member queried whether the Lowfield School development groups would be part of the York Allotments CIO. It was clarified that this arrangement could be discussed with the Trustees.

The Executive Member thanked the Officer for their work, particularly on securing the continued free allotment provision for schools and it was

Resolved:                     That the transfer of management of the council-run allotments to York Allotments Charitable Incorporated Organisation (York Allotments CIO) be agreed, subject to the condition listed below.

                                      Condition 1

                                      The Officers shall provide an update report to the Executive Member after their first Annual General Meeting (AGM) and bi-annually thereafter.

Reason:                        To harness the talents and energies of the community and to move the service onto more sustainable management arrangement.